IQAC of the
college organised another webinar on the topic “Green Campus Policy” with Amba Jamir, Senior Consultant,
Sustainable Landscapes and Restoration- WRi India, Executive Director SDFN, VP
IMI, Board Member NESFAS as the Speaker. The session was chaired by Dr.
Lanurenla, IQAC Coordinator, FAC. She opened the session by welcoming all the
members present and acknowledged on the willingness of the speaker to be the
resource person. She briefed the members present the achievement and activities
of the speaker and highlighted on the general concept note on green initiatives
and the role of academia that can play a bigger role towards the green campus
motivations.
He gave a brief
insight to AICTE Environment Policy 2020 and stressed the need of learning
beyond classroom. He further elaborated the need of actively involving the
students in the green campus initiative as the collaborative
and active participations from all communities. He gave an insight into the
various projects and activities under taken by the College authorities and
stress the need to frame a policy to expand the activities as an institution
not only within in campus activities but can play vital role outside the campus
jurisdiction also. A clean and flourishing bio-diversity can also be
established through plantation programs, selective environment friendly
plantations which create a bio-diversity eco system that attracts birds, bees,
butterflies etc., which can flourish and adapt to the newly created
environment.
To establish a
smart campus, he pointed out various measures that go in line with the green
policy that the college has projected. He stressed on energy conservation and
maintains zero wastage of energy. Certain measures were suggested like the use
of new technologies like day light saving sensors, motion sensors which can
effectively keep a check on less usage of energy. He also stressed the need of
generic policy to stay focus on the goals achievable rather than set goals that
can never be achieved which can lead to failure to achieve the desired results.
A policy which can be implemented successfully is more effective that can bring
a sustainable development.
There are certain issues that remain
a worldwide concern which endangers the environment. He suggested that the
concern committee in collaboration with the college authority and involvement
of all stakeholders the need of Waste Management policy. To create an
environmental friendly campus, waste management is a necessity. He stressed on
creation of a waste management center within the college campus to effectively
counter wastage of discarded or unused items like paper waste, electronic
items, ITC equipment’s, cloths etc.
He also stressed on soil
conservation and prevents degradation due to poor waste management. Good soil
helps to keep a healthy green management and a sign of a balanced eco system.
The lamented on the effort of the college authority on migration to paperless
management system as is evident on the SSR report. He further stated the
management needs to intervene and frame policies on e-waste management, plastic
waste management and items that prove to have an impact on the environment not
only within the campus but also to its nearby surroundings and local
communities. The college needs to focus on zero waste management and to achieve
the desired goal, waste management center needs to be set up and made
functional.
Water management is also an integral
part of green campus policy. Water scarcity during the lean and dry season
poses a bigger challenge. A proper water management policy roadmap can be framed
within the college and hostels. Hostellers needs to be sanitized on the proper
usage of water, use of filters and water harvesting during rainy seasons to
prevent wastage of water. Water management remains one of the biggest
challenges which can be properly implemented with a clearer management policy.
In order to achieve a healthier environment, he stressed on the integrated
policy of interactions and sharing of ideas by bringing all the
stakeholders on board. The faculties and students along with the non-teaching
staffs have a bigger role towards the contribution of greener campus. Awareness
programs and sensitization on environment needs to be conducted and share ideas
for a constructive policy decisions.
The speaker also stressed on the
importance of indigenous local knowledge system. He highlighted on the
initiative of the Ministry of education advocating the integration of local
knowledge for a healthy eco system. The local knowledge can be adopted in the
form of kitchen garden, farming of local produces.
To achieve a sustainable growth and
development, the resource person also highlighted on certain remedial measures
and possibilities to strengthen the ‘Green campus policy’. He encouraged on
achieving sustainable food eco-system which are healthier and carbon free
(content of 0-20%) than those food items found in the market. He pointed out
the need to develop a sense of vegetable gardens, local food production and
involve local communities who are knowledgeable to the local environment and landscape. He gave certain instances where the local
farmers are well versed with the rice plantations, soil conditions and types of
seeds that need to be sowed. He also encourage to buy locally produced food
items and frame purchase policies to ensure a green campus.
He insisted for a plastic free
campus as being practiced within the college campus as it not only pollutes the
surrounding environment but also poses a threat to the eco system. He pointed
out that not only plastic but cloths made out of nylon and fabrics are
non-degradable and pollutes the soil. He set an example on how the fashion
industry is the second biggest that contributes to the pollution of the
environment. For this very reason, he imploded on establishment of waste
management center where unused items can be donated like cloths, electronic
items and can be a center for recycling. Repairable items can be repaired and
handed over to those in needs. Through the waste management center, items can
be exchanged or handed over to those in needs. For discarded items, it can be
outsourced to agencies that are involved in recycling and can generate revenue
which can be invested for project green campus. He presented the need for a
healthy environment where beautification works can be carried out and maintains
a foot path for walk ways which can provide a healthy environment for the
students and the local communities. To bring about a positive environment, he
stressed on involvement of all communities including the local communities. He
stressed on contributions of alumni’s and works in collaboration with the
college administration for a green initiative policies. The desired result can
be achieved through awareness and local sensitization about the policies and
programs of the college.
He emphasized on Five R’s: Refuse-
on what is harmful for the environment, Reduce: on unnecessary usages and
wastages, Repurpose: on committing for saving and defending our environment,
Recycling: of re-usable items and achieve zero waste management.
In conclusion, the
resource person presented eight points which can help achieve desired green
campus policy: defining sustainability, initiating transformations, indicators
of development and progress, technologies for transformation, policy governance
and administration, resources for change, greening for brouchers and global
exemplars. He briefly highlighted through his experience on environmental
challenges and indicated that it is in the campus where all activities take
place. He defined the need for sustainability and to make changes in areas in
need and improve above par excellence and continue the efforts that the college
is making towards green campus. He also emphasized the need to change the
cultural mindset of the traditional based society, work beyond the campus and
to succeed, he pointed out to look for gaps and loopholes and ensure every
activity is well planned in advanced. Technology has made things easier and he
emphasized the proper use of technology with zero e-waste. He highlighted on
proper policy of the governing bodies and college administration and the
college can play a bigger role to achieve the desired goal. He stressed on the
proper use of resources available within the college campus and if required to
explore technical and financial resources by tying up with registered agencies
for green initiatives within as well as outside the college campus. The college
needs to be aware on its requirements and main check and balances and
continuously stressed on involvement of communities within and beyond college
campus. Every activity needs to be monitored and a critical thinking has to be
created for proper analysis which will benefit the institution, the students
and the local community. He remarked that
the purpose of education is not only to produce good students by the
institution but needs to be trained and made aware by being a part of the green
initiative activities rather than produce students without knowledge. Knowledge
can be imparted outside the curriculum and linking curriculum with activities
and encourage for creating solutions to the problems and encourage researches.
He gave a proposition that the IQAC
should expand beyond the NAAC requirements and include representation from all
communities including non-teaching staff which will ensure the foundation of
the activity and achieve sustainability. He encourage on better coordination
among the faculty and student body, bring in line the college policy within the
student body constitution for achieving the goal. Proper policies remains the
core in the process of policy framing and targets should be set which can be
achieved and remains focused rather than setting a target which can never be
fulfilled. In the process of achieving the target, learning remains an integral
part between the faculty and the students. Progress and success should be
properly documented so that it ensures continuity without hindrance. He
emphasized on transparency in sharing information on activities, policies and
reviews within the college campus and also beyond the campus with the local
communities involved in the process. Information needs to be shared on all the
college activities, reports and contribution and stressed on capacity building
measures.
IQAC Coordinator
gave the concluding remarks on the session conducted and expressed the
beneficial knowledge on resource management which will help in processing the
framing of green campus policy. She expressed gratitude on behalf of the
college for providing new insight to which the institution lacks and immensely thanked
the speaker for the resourceful presentation. A total of 54 faculty actively
participated in the webinar.