The Department of Environmental Sciences (DEVS), Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ), celebrated World Environment Day with great enthusiasm and a strong commitment to this year’s global theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution.” A series of impactful and community-centric activities were organized at the CUJ Manatu campus to promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and active community engagement.

The day’s events began with a plantation drive on the university campus. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kshiti Bhushan Das, inaugurated the event by planting a medicinal plant, symbolizing the integration of traditional knowledge in ecological conservation. He was joined by Registrar Shri K. Kosala Rao, Dean (I/C)-School of Natural Resource Management Prof. A.C. Pandey, CoE Dr. Bidhu Bhusan Mishra, faculty members, administrative staff, and students, who collectively planted multiple saplings across the campus.

Following the plantation drive, a cleanliness campaign was carried out as part of CUJ’s ongoing initiative to maintain a “Clean and Green Campus.” Faculty members, staff, and research scholars actively participated in collecting litter and raising awareness about reducing plastic usage on campus.

In a significant outreach initiative, DEVS conducted a training programme on vermicompost preparation and its applications for the villagers of Cheri and Manatu. The training, led by Dr. Bhaskar Singh (Head & Associate Professor, DEVS) and Dr. Anurag Linda (Associate Professor, DEVS), focused on equipping local residents with sustainable waste management practices. Importantly, vermicompost prepared at the university was also distributed to the villagers, offering them a hands-on understanding of its benefits and encouraging its use in local agriculture. Dr. Bhaskar Singh stated, “Waste is not a burden, but a resource—if managed wisely, it can enrich both soil and society.” Dr. Anurag Linda emphasized, “Let’s build a future where we nurture nature, not neglect it. We aim to develop a clean and green Manatu in partnership with the villagers—for the villagers.”

The day concluded with a vibrant bicycle rally from the CUJ campus to Manatu village, promoting eco-friendly transport and collective action for the environment. Participants—students, staff, and local residents—rode with placards bearing messages such as “Pedal for the Planet” and “Say No to Plastic, Yes to the Earth.”

The celebration reflected CUJ’s commitment to fostering environmental consciousness not only within the university community but also among the surrounding villages—truly embracing the spirit of World Environment Day