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.