Green Initiatives

Greening the campus is all about sweeping away wasteful inefficiencies and using conventional sources of energies for its daily power needs, correct disposal handling, purchase of environment friendly supplies and effective recycling program.

Objective

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To create environment consciousness

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Maintain biodiversity

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Tree plantation

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Use of renewable energy

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To maintain carbon neutrality

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Effective waste management

The Context

The main challenge of the modern world is biodegradation and adversities of climate change. The lack of awareness amongst students and general public about the challenging situation facing the world consequent upon fast changing climate and abuse of nature. There is need to educate students community about the existence of challenges climate change and its adverse effect on the community and human life, at present and in future. The Eco friendly campus will give a message to the students that if nature is protected, the adversities of climate can be avoided. The green atmosphere in the campus creates a suitable learning environment and also gives lessons regarding how to protect environment and help the human race. Apart from mankind, the other species also need protection of environment. Life can be better and enjoyable if green practices are followed.

Evidence of Success

The green campus has been appreciated by ayurvedic doctors, Ambassadors of various countries, Ministers and they say that it is one of the best Green Campuses in India which is surrounded by fresh air. The fruits trees like Lemon, Mango, Jamun, Anar, Banana, Guava etc. are grown in bulk and enjoyed by students, guests and staff with family.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

While the opportunities to explore eco-friendly possibilities are evident, actions devoted to conservation for a green campus are expensive and due to weather conditions survival of plants is a bigger challenge.
Planting of trees is a continuous process and on each environmental day, national festivals and whenever VIP guests visit the campus, new plants are being added. In autumn the problems of disposal of dry leaf are also a problem.
So, college enthusiastically participated in this campaign to create awareness among the community. One more problem is space required for more and more trees . If we get a quality tree of rarely available breed then removal of another useless /multiple trees as replacement is also a problem.

Notes (Optional)

Making green campus is a wonderful experience when we find our self near the Nature. A large variety of plants which grow fruits, herbals, beautiful flowers make the campus eco-friendly and we feel by grace of god that we are living under his blessings.

Everything requires some efforts, application of skill and prudence for a successful venture. We love the tree and get their blessings. We feel proud by making a green campus.

Re-cycling of Food Waste

Objective

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To utilize food waste as manure

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To save environment from food waste by proper utilization of this waste

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To increase agriculture production

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To make awareness to utilize waste food etc as best manure

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To motivate for Organic Farming

The Context

In 2017 the college purchased a Machine for re-cycle of waste leaves from trees and convert it into manure. Later in 2019, one more machine with 350 KG capacity has been purchased for converting food wastage and other wastage into manure. It has proven to be the best manure for organic farming.
Composting is the natural process of decomposition and recycling of organic material into a humus rich soil amendment known as compost. For any business or institution producing food waste, this organic material can be easily decomposed into high quality compost .
In this machine Fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, bread, unbleached paper napkins, coffee filters, eggshells, meats and newspaper can be composted. If it can be eaten or grown in a field or garden, it can be composted. Items that cannot be composted include plastics, grease, glass, and metals — including plastic utensils, condiment packages, plastic wrap, plastic bags, foil, silverware, drinking straws, bottles, polystyrene or chemicals. Items such as red meat, bones and small amounts of paper are acceptable, but they take longer to decompose. Add red meat and bones to only a well-controlled compost pile to avoid attracting vermin, pests and insects to partially decomposed meat scraps.

Evidence of Success

There are more than 150 herbal trees in the campus with a beautiful Herbal Garden belonging to different species of Medicinal plants. Few of them include Giloy, Arjun, Aloe vera, Nimb, Sadabahar etc.
Ishan Institutions have total 10 acres of land out of which 65% is open and green area is available where maximum plantation has been done with vast varieties of herbal and medicinal plants and fruits. Its entrance is beautifully decorated with green landscaping with pleasant trees. Though the college is protected with wire fencing compound, but it is surrounded with numerous trees. There are about more than 230 varieties of plants and total count is in thousands.
For rainwater, there is provision of rainwater harvesting and there is one borewell in the college which is recharged through rainwater harvesting. To develop the agriculture land for keeping environmental balance college has taken initiative and planted trees such as Ashoka, Mango, Teak, Coconut, Eucalyptus, Acacia, Neem etc. and seasonal vegetables and flowers.
Maximum trees have got Ayurvedic importance in medical treatment and some trees are useful to improve the fertility of soil and avoid soil erosion in this way, college has taken innovative steps to keep the environmental balance by planting the trees on the college campus.

Benefits of Compost to the Environment and Agriculture

 Environment

  • Water and soil conservation.
  • Protects groundwater quality.
  • Minimizes odours from agricultural areas.
  • Avoids methane production and leachate formation in landfills by diverting organics from landfills into compost.
  • Prevents erosion and turf loss on roadsides, hillsides, playing fields and golf courses.
  • Drastically reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
  • Binds heavy metals and prevents them from migrating to water resources, being absorbed by plants, or being bioavailable to humans.
  • Off-farm materials can be brought in and added to manure to make compost.
  • Facilitates reforestation, wetlands restoration, and wildlife habitat revitalization efforts by amending contaminated, compacted and marginal soils.
  • Off-farm materials can be brought in and added to manure to make compost.
  • Composted manure weights about one-fourth as much as raw manure per ton.

Agriculture

  • Long-term stable organic matter source.
  • Buffers soil pH levels.
  • Adds organic matter, humus and cation exchange capacity to regenerate poor soils
  •  Suppresses certain plant diseases and parasites and kills weed seeds.
  • Increases yield and size in some crops.
  • Increases length and concentration of roots in some crops.
  • Increases soil nutrient content and water holding capacity of sandy soils and water infiltration of clay soils.
  •  Reduces fertilizer requirements.
  • Restores soil structure after natural soil microorganisms have been reduced by the use of chemical fertilizers; compost is a soil inoculant.
  • Increases earthworm populations in soil.
  • Provides slow, gradual release of nutrients, reducing loss from contaminated soils.
  • Reduces water requirements and irrigation.
  •  Provides opportunity for extra income; high quality compost can be sold at a premium price in established markets.
  • Moves manure to non-traditional markets that do not exist for raw manure.
  • Brings higher prices for organically grown crops.
  • Minimizes odours from agricultural areas.