Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: The Rotaract Club of BMSCE successfully organized an event called “Discussion for Change 2.0”; a profound debate on the topic “Concrete Over Canopies: The Silent Disappearance of Urban Forests in Mumbai and Hyderabad”. Participants in the event engaged in a profound discussion to identify the root causes, examine the repercussions and develop possible solutions for preserving and revitalizing urban green spaces. EVENT DESCRIPTION: DFC 2.0 (Discussion for Change) served as an effective successor to DFC, conducted by the Rotaract Club of BMSCE in the previous year. The main goal of the event was to hold a productive conversation among participants regarding the given theme. The event commenced with a brief presentation by the moderators about the topic for discussion, “The Silent Disappearance of Urban Forests in Mumbai and Hyderabad”. Issues regarding the recent excessive deforestation in both Mumbai and Hyderabad were presented to the participants. This enabled them to develop a sense for the main objective of the event in order to have a productive session. The floor was then opened to the participants to share their opinions and concerns relating to the issue mentioned above. Some of the main points of discussion were regarding consequences of the loss of these forests as well as possible solutions to mitigate the negative effects of the same. Some of the key points in the discussion were: Causes of Urban Deforestation: Participants likely explored the various factors contributing to the loss of urban forests, such as rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, real estate expansion, and lack of urban planning. Environmental Impacts: The discussion probably included the negative environmental consequences of deforestation, like increased air pollution, reduced biodiversity, the urban heat island effect, increased risk of flooding, and disruption of local ecosystems. Social Impacts: Participants may have addressed the social impacts, such as reduced access to green spaces for recreation and well-being, displacement of communities, and the effect on public health. Economic Impacts: The economic implications of deforestation, including decreased property values, increased energy consumption for cooling, and the long-term costs of environmental damage, could have been discussed. Mitigation Strategies: The discussion likely involved potential solutions and strategies to combat urban deforestation, such as promoting sustainable urban planning, implementing stricter regulations on tree cutting, encouraging urban afforestation and reforestation projects, creating urban greenbelts, and raising public awareness. Engineer’s Role: Participants analysed their role in these mitigation efforts as well. As engineers, their role in promoting a circular economy and preservation of urban forests was discussed. Community Involvement: The importance of community participation and activism in protecting urban forests and advocating for greener cities might have been highlighted. SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS: Profound Debate: Participants engaged in a deep discussion on urban deforestation in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Root Cause Analysis: The session explored the underlying causes of the disappearance of urban forests. Repercussion Examination: Participants examined the negative impacts of urban deforestation. Solution-Oriented: The discussion focused on developing potential solutions for preserving urban green spaces. Critical Thinking: The event fostered critical thinking about individual roles in addressing environmental issues. IMPACT ON ATTENDEES: DFC 2.0 had a significant and positive influence on the participants. They were able to engage in effective conversations that yielded productive results. They walked out with a deeper understanding of India’s issues regarding sustainability and the severe consequences of the same. The event was more than a simple discussion, as it enabled participants to think critically and examine their role in society to solve various issues. BEHIND THE SCENES (INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS): The team worked hard to come up with a theme for discussion that would work well to produce the desired outcomes. The date, time and venue for the event were selected by the team. Formal letters were drafted by the team and approved by college faculty. A presentation was prepared beforehand to ensure clarity amongst the participants regarding the themes and overall objective of the event. All these efforts combined ensured that DFC 2.0 was conducted in a seamless and professional manner.