Media Release

Puttur, Oct 19: St Philomena College (Autonomous) concluded its Wildlife Week celebrations with a thought-provoking lecture that highlighted the urgent need for wildlife conservation and environmental protection on Friday at the PG seminar hall. The day-long event, organized in collaboration with the departments of botany and zoology, capped a week of activities aimed at raising awareness about the natural world and its preservation.

Presiding over the programme, vice principal Dr Vijaykumar Moleyar urged students to cultivate a deeper understanding of environmental issues by engaging with the works of renowned environmentalists. “Living in harmony with nature is key to securing a prosperous future for the next generation,” he remarked.

The highlight of the event was an interactive lecture by Ganesh V Shendye, professor of Botany at the department of Collegiate Education. Engaging students with probing questions on wildlife, Shendye emphasized the integral roles that forests and rivers play in wildlife conservation. He touched on themes of ecological coexistence, the balance between the selflessness of nature and the destructive tendencies of humankind, and echoed Mahatma Gandhi’s words that the earth provides for man’s needs, but not his greed.

In a powerful conclusion, Shendye called upon the students to be vigilant in their environmental stewardship, reminding them, “The environment that existed before our birth should not perish before we do.”

The prizes were distributed to the winners of various competitions held during Wildlife Week. Dean of science, Dr Malini K, and the heads of the botany and zoology departments, Shashiprabha and Sreeraksha BV, along with faculty members Smitha Vivek and Shivani Mallya were present on the occasion.

Students and staff participated in the programme. Akhila and her group led the prayers. Yajnesh welcomed, Maliha introduced the guest speaker, and Niphana concluded with a vote of thanks. Rhea DeSouza compered.