Drass, November 9: Government Degree College (GDC) Drass successfully conducted a three-day study-cum-exposure educational tour to Kashmir, offering students of Tourism & Travel Management, Geology, and Environmental Science an enriching experience in practical learning and field-based study. The tour focused on promoting awareness about ecology, biodiversity, geology, environmental conservation, and sustainable tourism through direct observation and expert interaction. On Day 1, the group visited Manasbal Lake, a vital wetland ecosystem in Kashmir. Professors Sajad Hussain and Dr. Muneer-ul-Islam briefed the students on lake ecology, hydrological functions, and the importance of wetland conservation. Meanwhile, Dr. Shoaib Maqbool and Dr. Mohsin Ahmad conducted a geology workshop, demonstrating the use of field tools like geological hammers and compasses. Students learned to collect rock samples and study structural formations hands-on. The second day featured a visit to Dachigam National Park, where students explored biodiversity and conservation strategies under the guidance of Dr. Muneer-ul-Islam and Prof. Hussain. The team then visited SKUAST-Kashmir, interacting with scientists at the Pollination Centre, where Dr. Sajad Ahmad introduced them to honeybee culture and pollination biology. Later, at SP College Srinagar, one of the oldest higher education institutions in the region, students toured Environmental Science laboratories and interacted with faculty. The principal extended a warm welcome, and Dr. Bilal Ahmad Wani led a guided tour of the campus. The final day took students to Sonamarg and Zojila, where they observed glacial landforms and studied geological and tourism aspects of high-altitude terrains. Discussions focused on balancing tourism potential with environmental preservation. Students expressed gratitude to Principal Nasir Ul Mehdi Shabani for facilitating the educational tour, which they described as an invaluable opportunity to gain real-world knowledge beyond textbooks.
From Manasbal to Zojila: GDC Drass Students Gain Hands-On Field Experience
