The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Alumni Association (JANVAA) honoured two researchers from the Pondicherry University for promoting ‘green campus’ strategies at the school in Periyakalapet.
M. Nandhivarman and E. Golda Arpudhalin, researchers at the University’s Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, were honoured with the award of ‘Green Campus Champion’ for conceptualising, funding and implementing comprehensive greening initiatives in the school campus.
Eye specialist Tamilvanan presented the awards.
Baskar, social activist, was also felicitated for his contributions to the school environment. The school’s concept of a green campus advocates a model for global environmental sustainability where all the processes and operational functions of the campus are closely knit, providing educational and practical value to the institution and the surrounding environment.
The researchers helped introduce measures such as waste water treatment system, xeriscape, biogas generation, compost and vermicompost production, organic vegetable garden and organic herbal garden in an integrated manner. Apart from this, the researchers also planned to introduce herbarium making, apiculture and Bheema bamboo in the coming year.
According to school authorities, since the inception of the green campus initiative (GCI), the school has bagged various awards at the national and State-level. Moreover, the school has hosted eminent professionals and scientists from US, Europe, Brazil and from various parts of India whose visits motivated students to embrace environmental sustainability.
A. Vinayathan, school Principal, said since adopting green campus initiatives in 2012-13, “the environmental awareness among the students and their attitude towards conservation has significantly increased.”
Mr. Nandhivarman expressed confidence that if such initiatives are implemented in a cluster approach, 100 per cent of the biodegradable waste can be converted and accumulation in the landfill will be minimised along with associated pathogens and diseases. “Green campuses are the way forward to achieve the objectives of the Government of India’s national action plans and smart city projects,” he added.
Ms. Golda Arpudhalin called for girls to actively participate in the climate change mitigation activities and achieve more for the sustainable development of the campus and community.
