Under
the able guidance of Principal Dr. Ajay Sareen, Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya,
Jalandhar, in collaboration with the Punjab State Council for Science &
Technology (PSCST) and supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, successfully concluded the Second
Cluster Level Master Trainers Workshop on Building Skills for Nature (11th–14th
August 2025) under the Environment Education Programme. The four-day workshop
brought together passionate master trainers from Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib,
Mansa, Malerkotla, Muktsar Sahib, Roopnagar, Patiala, Sangrur, and SAS Nagar.
Day 1 began with a symbolic celebration of co-existence at Aashiyaana, HMV’s
specially developed bird care corner. Participants joined in feeding birds,
refilling water bowls, and placing nesting material, followed by a green
welcome and inaugural addresses. Eminent experts, Dr. B.K. Tyagi, Ex-Senior
Scientist, Vigyan Prasar; Dr. Aashaq Hussain, Associate Professor, Govt. Gandhi
Memorial Science College, Jammu; Dr. K.S. Bath, Joint Director, PSCST shared
their insights on experiential learning, biodiversity education, and innovative
nature camp methods. The day ended with practical plant identification and
profile drawing in the college’s lush Botanical Garden. Day 2 immersed
participants in the biodiversity of plants, the fascinating world of insects, and
nature-based classification techniques. Interactive sessions on eco-activities
and creative environmental education tools kept the energy high. Day 3 was the
most awaited with an exhilarating field visit to Kanjli Wetland, a Ramsar site
teeming with life. Guided by Mr. Jaswant Singh and Mr. Bobinder , participants
observed wetland flora and fauna, discussed conservation challenges, and learnt
how to integrate real-life biodiversity mapping into teaching modules. The
sight of migratory birds skimming over the serene waters, the call of wetland
species, and hands-on plant and insect sampling made the day both educational
and soul-stirring. Day 4 wrapped up with nature-inspired skill-building
sessions, creative eco-poster making, and biodiversity mapping exercises.
Participants reflected on their learnings and pledged to take back practical
conservation skills to their schools and communities. The workshop was
coordinated by Dr. Anjana Bhatia, co-cordinated by Ms Harpreet with the active
involvement of Dr. Shaveta Chauhan, Dr. Jitender, Mr. Sumit, Dr. Prem Sagar,
Dr. Rama Sharma, Mrs. Purnima, Dr. Kajal, Dr. Rakhi Mehta,Dr. Ramandeep Kaur,
Mrs. Navneeta, Mrs. Lovleen Kaur, Dr. Shailendra, Dr. Shuchi Sharma, Dr. Meenu
Talwar, Dr. Minakshi Duggal, Mr. Parminder and Ms. Gunjan. In her closing
remarks, Principal Dr. Ajay Sareen praised the participants’ enthusiasm and
reiterated HMV’s commitment to biodiversity conservation through experiential
education. Resource persons lauded the college’s role in fostering grassroots
environmental leadership. The workshop ended with a formal Vote of Thanks by Dr
Seema Marwaha, Dean Academics acknowledging the support of PSCST, MoEFCC,
resource persons, participants, and the dedicated HMV team. The participants
departed with not just memories of Kanjli’s beauty, but also a renewed
commitment to be ambassadors of nature in their regions.
