REPORT ON SAVE ARCTIC DRIVE- MAPS BANGALORE CHAPTER ORGANIZED BY DEPT OF LIFE SCIENCES IN COLLABORATION WITH PARVATI.ORG, CANADA ON SEPT 15, 2018

Save Arctic Drive - MAPS Bangalore Chapter was organized by the department of Life Sciences under the leadership of Dr Suma S, Associate Professor, in collaboration with Parvati.org, a Canadian NGO. Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS) is an initiative by this Canada based NGO who has taken up the challenge of identifying the magnitude of the deteriorating environmental conditions of the Arctic region and representing it on the global platform through the United Nation Organization. The department of Life Sciences, Christ (Deemed to be University), in association with Parvati.org has taken up the initiative of educating the masses and also getting support and concern by signing the petitions in order to channelize the entire drive. The lead volunteers of this drive were Pavan Rao and Sharwari S of 3 sem BCZ. The drive was inaugurated on September 15, World Cleanup Day. The Welcome address and introduction to MAPS was given by Dr Suma S and the key speakers of the session were Dr Surendra Kulkarni, Dean of Sciences, Prof Phinu Jose, Director, Centre for Social Action and Dr Antony P U, Head of Green Army of Christ (Deemed to be University). A stall was set up where the volunteers portrayed all the facts and figures and did a tremendous job of spreading an awareness and educating the masses. The online and offline petitions were signed by more than 600 students on Sept 15 alone. The organizers plan to scale up the activities more effectively in the coming months and to get maximum outreach by extension activities.