The Department of Zoology, GGDSD College, Chandigarh, organised an *Invited Lecture on the theme “Bioremediation of Environmental Pollutants”* under the aegis of the *PM USHA Scheme* on 1.10.2025.

The lecture was aimed at sensitising students and faculty towards eco-friendly approaches for mitigating environmental pollution and promoting sustainable development practices. Green welcome of the resource person, Dr Swaranjit Singh was done Mr. Ashutosh Sharma, Registrar and Vice Principal, GGDSD College. The speaker delivered an insightful presentation on the concept, mechanisms, and applications of bioremediation. The lecture began with an overview of the rising environmental challenges caused by industrialisation, urbanisation, and intensive agriculture, and how conventional remediation strategies are often costly and generate secondary pollutants.

During the session, participants were introduced to various strategies such as *microbial degradation, phytoremediation, mycoremediation, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation*. Real-life examples were shared, including the use of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria for oil spill cleanup, the role of plants in extracting heavy metals from soil, and the use of fungi for breaking down persistent organic pollutants. The lecture also highlighted the advantages of bioremediation—such as cost-effectiveness, environmental compatibility, and scalability—while not overlooking its limitations and challenges. The audience expressed keen interest in understanding how bioremediation technologies can be applied in local contexts, particularly in addressing issues of water contamination and soil pollution. As Dr Swaranjit Singh brings tradition and taste together, promoting the refreshing health benefits of buttermilk – a perfect blend of wellness and flavour, a session of buttermilk was also organised for the faculty members and the speaker as well. The session concluded with closing remarks by Dr Indu Mehta, Head of Department, who appreciated the resource person for sharing their expertise and encouraged students to explore research opportunities in the field of environmental biotechnology.

Principal, Dr. Ajay Sharma, added that these activities not only provide academic knowledge but also foster critical thinking along with awareness about various environmental issues, with the deeper understanding of the interconnections between technology and sustainability. Overall, the lecture proved to be highly informative in fostering academic enrichment and awareness of sustainable practices.