PG Department of Chemistry celebrated World Environment Day on 5 June 2021. On this occasion a guest lecture was arranged on the topic on ‘Bioplastics-An Eco-friendly Alternative to Petrochemical Plastics’ By Dr. Chethan D. M., Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, NMAMIT, Nitte. In his lecture, he delineated the enormous usage of plastics and their impact on the environment and suggested cloth bags and biodegradable plastics as alternates. He mainly focused on his research field which involved synthesis of bioplastics and said, poly hydroxy alkanoate used in biodegradable thermoplastics, which is produced by microbial fermentation process, is need of the hour research. Chemists play an important role in the synthesis of bioplastics and more economical and environmental friendly research methods have to be adopted, he added. During the occasion, Dr. Vishwanatha P, Dean, PG studies and Head, Department of Chemistry briefed about the importance of celebration and the various activities that are conducted by the Department.
As a part of the celebration, activities like e-poster presentation on the theme ’Ecosystem Restoration’ and an online quiz were organized. Dr. Udaya Kumar D., Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, NITK Surathkal and Dr. Sudhakar Y. N., Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) adjudicated the e-poster competition. All faculty members of the Department, CONCHEM office bearers and students of I and II M.Sc. Chemistry/ Organic Chemistry were present.