Eco1 Volunteer Registration 2012 Open

Eco1 Volunteer Registration

Eco1 is a BHU based environmental activism group with motto to raise awareness on environmental issues and working towards a cleaner, greener and safer campus.

Any one from any course can become volunteer of the club by registering themselves online or offline.

Registration of Volunteers is open from 11th October, 2012. The process of registration is simple.

How to Register?

1. Go to our Eco1 blog: http://greenbhu.blogspot.com

2. Click on tab ‘Join Us’. The Volunteer Registration Form will open.

3. After filling the required information, click ‘Submit’. Or collect registration form from yours hostel EAOs.

4. Inform your nearest Eco1 Ambassador (EOA) within 2 days. The contact details of the EOAs can be found on blog by browsing on tab ‘Reach Us’. EOA will confirm your registration by checking your name from online database.

5. Collect you’re ‘Unique Eco1 Badge’.

For any query related to Eco1 contact following EOAs

Vindhyachal Hostel	Vivek Gupta Room No 29 (M: 7408128910)	Pawan Tiwari Room No 54 (M: 9721349995)	Utkarsh Barnawal Room No 77 (M: 7376848432)
Shivalik Hostel	Satish Yadav Room No 102 (M: 8574528820)	Suraj Babu Gupta Room No 87 (M:9897352269)	Sarvesh Gupta Room No 132 (M:9696153734 )
New Boys Hostel	Sanjay Chandra Room No 23 (M:9532222054 )	Abhay Kr. Patel Room No 08 (M: 7800464588)
Vindhyavasini Hostel	Bhargavi Badal Room No 104	Sacchi Rai Room No 87	Huma Parveen Room No 60

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Where has the sparrows gone?

From the Citizen Sparrow:

Sparrows are found all over the world, almost everywhere that humans live. But strangely, sparrow populations have been in decline in many parts of the world, for reasons that are still unclear, although hotly debated! In India, sparrows used to be found in great abundance in all our cities, towns and villages; but sadly not any more.

Where are sparrows still found in India? Where were they found before? In which places have they declined the most?

The answers to these questions are crucial if we are to discover what ails them, and how to bring them back.

National Center for Biological Sciences, Bangalore and few other institutions have collaborated to study the reasons of loss of this bird. They have started with extraction of public based information extraction regarding past distribution and present status. This is being done through an online based survey. It takes only few minutes to provide GOOGLE EARTH locations for past and present distribution of sparrows by an individual which is followed by a short and interesting questionnaire.  

You can help!

By spending 5 minutes documenting the presence or absence of sparrows in localities you know well, both at present and at any time in the past, you will join enthusiasts all over the country in helping sparrows.

You will be asked a brief set of questions, including the precise location of areas you know (or knew) well, aspects of the habitat in these localities, sparrow presence or absence in these localities, and optional information about things like locations of nests, amount of green space, and so on. The questionnaire is very simple to fill, and there is also space for you to share your favourite sparrow stories!

Kindly log on Citizen Sparrow Website today:

http://www.citizensparrow.in/

Citizen Sparrow will run for two months, and closes on 31 May, so do participate now!

We are grateful to Mr. Nishant Ryu, M.Sc. student of Wildlife Institute of India.

Read more about sparrows: link 1 , link 2

 

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Dr. Ashish Singh Speaks About Eco One

I was also concerned about the environment and its preservation – but only on paper.  In practice, one visit to my home confirmed the thing. All the things, right from electricity consumption to the use of polythene, were detrimental to the environment. I thought lot about banning the use of polythene in my house. But, at the same time, I felt ashamed about carrying the cloth bag with me. I wanted to save electricity in my house. But, I felt lot of tried in switching of the light.  

Dr. Ashish Singh @ Earth Hour Campaign (RGSC)

Then, on one fine day, I became member of Eco One. And from this day, my thoughts about environment and its preservation were totally changed. I learnt about lot of things from the Eco One members. Be it minimizing the use of polythene, or saving the electricity, or be it very small thing like throwing the wasteful things in the dustbin, I learnt a lot. And apart from learning, I made it a practice to adapt those things in my daily life. Thus, I can claim to be, not 100%, but in maximum cases, environment friendly and concerned about this.

This thing can be attributed to my small daughter. If we do not learn to preserve the environment, I feel that there will be nothing left for my daughter to see in future. And, if I can learn this thing, anybody in the world can learn and adapt this thing in his or her daily life.            

Now, I carry cloth bag in my car. If I have to purchase anything from the market, I use the same, instead of polythene. Now, I don’t feel tried to switch off the lights. I use my feet for walking instead of car. These all things make me feel very light and environment friendly citizen. 

And, I, do believe, that, at the end of the day, many other citizens, may also become environment friendly and feel the same, as I am feeling now.

Save Environment, Save Earth.

~ Dr. Ashish Singh

Associate Professor, MBA Agri Business

Dr. Ashish Singh is a great environment enthusiast and he is also one of the Moderators of Eco One.

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Round Table Meeting on ZERO WASTE POLICY of RGSC : A REPORT

After the open discussions were over, the next step was to bring the suggestions into administrative policy. In continuation of the process, Eco One organized a round table meeting on 9^th April, 2012. Representative of students, faculty, administration and shop owners were invited in the meeting to plan out the firm base for the Zero Waste Policy. The members who participated in the round table meeting are

1. Prof. Guru Prasad Singh, Member Core Group, RGSC (Mentor, Eco One)

2. Prof. S.K. Swain, Student Advisor, RGSC

3. Dr. Ashish Singh, Hostel Coordinator, RGSC (Moderator, Eco One)

4. Dr. Somu Singh, Admin. Warden, Shivalik Hostel, RGSC and Coordinator, NSS (Moderator, Eco One)

5. Dr. Ajay Singh, Admin. Warden, Vindhyachal Hostel, RGSC and Coordinator, NSS (Moderator, Eco One)

6. Dr. Vinod Singh, Admin. Warden, New Boys Hostel, RGSC and Coordinator, NSS (Moderator, Eco One)

7. Mr. Vijai Krishna, Warden Shivalik hostel, RGSC

8. Mr. Ankit Seth, Warden, Shivalik Hostel

9. Mr. Kaustav Chatterjee, Warden, Vindhyachal Hostel

10. Dr. Anil K. Pandey, Asst. Professor, Centre for Environment Science and Technology, RGSC

11. Dr. Drigwendu Mani Singh, Assistant Professor, MBA Agribusiness

12. Dr. Irfan Ahmed Khan, Assistant Professor, MBA Agribusiness

13. Dr. D.N. Gautam, Assistant Professor, Ayurveda

14. Mr. Naveen Kumar, Assistant Professor, Journalism and Mass Comm., RGSC

15. Ms. Sadhana Srivastava, Assistant Professor, Journalism and Mass Comm., RGSC

16. Mr. Krishnakant Dwiwedi, Owner, Shop no. 2 (General Store), RGSC

17. Mr. Manoj, Owner, Shop no. 1 (Tea joint), RGSC

18. Mr. Dwiwedi, Owner of roadside tea stall, RGSC

19. Mr. Debadityo Sinha, M.Sc.(Tech.) Environmental Science & Technology (Head, Eco One Management Council)

20. Dandapani Varsha, M.Sc.(Tech.) Environmental Science & Technology (Eco One Hostel Ambassador, Vindhyavasini Girls Hostel)

21. Jaydev Kumar, M.Sc.(Tech.) Environmental Science & Technology (Eco One Hostel Ambassador, Shivalik Hostel)

22. Pankaj Kumar Gupta, M.Sc.(Tech.) Environmental Science & Technology (Eco One Hostel Ambassador, Vindhyachal Hostel)

23. Shishir Kumar, M.Sc.(Tech.) Environmental Science & Technology (Eco One Hostel Ambassador, Vindhyachal Hostel)

24. Ashok Yadav, M.Sc.(Tech.) Environmental Science & Technology (Member, Eco One Management Council)

25. Vikas Yadav, M.Sc.(Tech.) Environmental Science & Technology (Member, Eco One Management Council)

26. Pratima Gupta, M.Sc.(Tech.) Environmental Science & Technology (Member, Eco One Management Council)

27. Shachi Rai, M.Sc. (Ag) Soil and Water Conservation (Member, Eco One Management Council)

It was a first meeting of its kind in which faculty members, student & shopkeepers participated to give their suggestions on making our campus free of waste and common consensus was reached as discussed in next paragraphs.

The common consensus was that dustbins should be installed at every 100 meter.

A common dustbin should be made in front of every building and hostel.The dustbin should be divided into two parts one for biodegradable and other for non biodegradable.

Prof. G P Singh said that we should select a place for the disposal of the waste, for this he suggested a site low lying area near Jatropha plantation just behind the Guest House. He suggested arrangement of one hydraulic tractor which will collect the garbage from every hostels and building and dispose it to the disposal site.

During the meeting it was also said that until the permanent dustbins are made, the empty drums of coal tar to be availed from UWD which shall be cut and placed at different places in the campus.

Prof. G.P. Singh suggested that shopkeepers should use ‘kulhad’ in place of plastic cups or glasses. To solve the problem of polythene bags for grocery items it was mutually decided and requested to the owner of shop no. 2 Mr. Krishnakant that items less than 500 g to be given in thongas and not provide polythene for prepacked materials. Mr. Krishnakant agreed to restrict the use of polythene bags only for food grains. Mr. Manoj, who own shop no. 1 agreed the proposal and he assured that he will provide tea in kulhad only.

It was recommended that banning of polythene at a sudden is not possible and the emphasis was given on gradual phase out of polythene by bringing behavioural change. It was suggested that items less than 500 g to be given in thongas and not provide polythene for prepacked materials. Mr. Krishnakant agreed to restrict the use of polythene bags only for food grains. Mr. Manoj, who own shop no. 1 agreed the proposal and he assured that he will provide tea in kulhad only.

Dr. Somu Singh supported the concept of ‘Common Cart Bags’. Few speakers showed concerns over the success of those bags as the bags will be vulnerable to theft. Debadityo Sinha suggested that from the next session during the allotment of hostel the students shall be provided a cloth bag at minimal cost by the administration which will be use by students for shopping purpose. Under incidence of lost, he/she can again buy a new one by paying the cost from hostel wardens.

DProf. G P Singh suggested the Admin Wardens to write a proposal for the construction of compost pits behind the hostels.

 It was said that source of paper waste is mainly from office and assignments. The owner of shop no. 2 Krishnkant Dwivedi said that he sells about 5000 plastic files in a year and about 70000 – 100000 papers are used by students in a year. For this the common consensus was that the internal assignments should be taken in soft copy by the faculty. If the hard copy is needed then the font should be small and the print should be on both sides. The waste papers in the office shall be collected at one place and used for other purposes like rough work and printing notices. Dr. Irfan Ahmed Khan suggested that the one sided used paper shall be used to make note pads by taking help of self help groups in neighboring villages. He informed that he encourages the students to give their assignments in soft form. A common consensus was reached that the assignments and reports for internal assessments be taken in soft copy and hard copy be discouraged by every course.

Dr. Anil Pandey informed that the capacities of the soak pits installed in the hostels are not defined. He suggested that absorbing capacity of soak pits be redefined and required additional measures shall be taken to stop overflow of sewage water from soak pits. The common consensus was that the capacity of the pits should be increased. Dr. Anil Pandey said that about 150 liters of water is used by one person in a day. The waste water of bathrooms are discharged in open for this the common consensus was that a temporary storage tank at first floor can act as zero-energy watering system for the gardens in hostel where watering will be done by gravitational energy. Prof. G P Singh suggested the Admin Warden to write about the proposal soon. Dr. Anil Pandey and Dr. Drigwendu Mani Singh suggested that the water shall be temporarily stored which can be used for gardening purposes cause that waste water contain phosphorus in large amount. Debadityo Sinha suggested that the diameter of the taps shall be reduced to conserve water as well as reduce waste water. Press taps can do well.

The capacity of toilet flushes can be reduced by placing empty bottles which will lead to reduction in sewage generation. Residential students shall be made aware about need to conserve water.

The common consensus was that community participation programs and campaigns like cleanliness drives, competetions etc to be organized at regular intervals to spread awareness and sensitization of mass. The steps towards restriction of polybags be taken in initial time of each sessions.

It can be said that the meeting was fruitful and some concrete suggestion came out and a common consensus was reached over the improvement of waste management in campus. The suggestions from the open discussions were discusses and improved in the presence of the stakeholders.

Eco One thanks all the faculty member, administration and students for supporting the cause and joining hand for drafting the first zero waste policy for Rajiv Gandhi South Campus. 

Read/Download: Proceedings of Zero Waste Policy of RGSC, 10th April, 2012, Volume I

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Synopsis of Open Discussions from 21st-24th March on 'Waste Management in RGSC' : A way forward to ZERO WASTE POLICY

To throw lights on student’s views and gather suggestion to make RGSC Zero Waste campus a series of open discussion was organized during 21^st March-24^th March in all four hostels of RGSC. Total of approx. 200 students actively participated in the discussions which was chaired by administrative staff which include Officer-on-Special Duty Prof. R.P. Singh, Member of Core Group of RGSC Prof. G.P. Singh, RGSC Hostel Coordinator Dr. Ashish Singh, NSS Coordinators and Administrative Wardens Dr. Somu Singh, Dr. Ajay Singh, Dr. Vinod Singh and Mr. Vijai Krishna on different occasions alongwith the members of Eco One Management Council and Ambassadors which include Debadityo Sinha, Navendu Nidhan, Ashutosh Mishra, Awanish Mishra, Pankaj K. Gupta, Shishir Kumar, Jaydev Kumar, Ashok Yadav, Vikas Yadav, Shachi Rai, Pratima, Anju Azad, Prafulla Chandra and other members.

The following were the agendas for the discussions:

1. Waste management in campus
2. Installation of dustbins and compost pits
3. Efficient plan for restriction on polythene use in campus
4. Drains and sewage system
5. Community participation in waste management
6. Monitoring of waste management practices

The details of the problems and suggestions which came as result of the meeting are discussed as follows:

1.   1. Waste Management in campus

Problems:

a) The campus lacks facility of collecting waste. Lack of dustbins is the foremost concern in waste management.

b) The major source of most waste is the general stores inside the campus.

c)There is no proper disposal plan and training of the staff involved in cleanliness.

d)Open burning is a common practice which also includes biomass.

e)Food waste is a major problem in all the hostels. Approx. 40-80 kg of food is thrown as waste from a hostel.

f)Lack of awareness and sensitivity.

Suggestions:

a) Installation of dustbins is the immediate need.

b) The hostel attendants, cleanliness staff and mess managers shall be made aware.

c) The biomass which includes dried leaves, food waste should be disposed separately. 

d) Proper segregation at source as ‘biodegradable’ and ‘non-biodegradable’ has to be developed.

e) In Vindhyavasini hostel, supper is provided in disposable containers like plastic cups etc. It shall be prohibited and the mess manager shall be directed to give it ion steel plates.

f) Food waste can be disposed by feeding it to cattle in nearby villages.

g) A compost pit can be constructed which can also generate bio gas which may be used as fuel in hostel mess and reduce the pollutions by burning coal.

h) Common Cart bags: A certain numbers of cloth bags shall be purchased for public use. A separate place shall be designated where they will be placed in hostels and shops. People when buying items can use them to carry which after use they can put at the common designated place at their hostel. The same shall be followed when going from hostel to shop. This way the bags will be under circulation and reused each time someone goes or come to shop. A donation of Re. 1 can be taken as token money from residential students voluntarily to generate emotional attachment with the bags.

 2. Installation of Dustbins/Compost Pits

Suggestions:

a) Three large capacity dustbins shall be kept in front of the shops which will be maintained by Manoj tea stall, Dubey General Store and the Amul Joint.

b) Dustbins to be kept at every crossings, turns, gates of Admin building, Lecture Theatre Complex, Jalpan Griha, Guest House, Central Library and other such buildings.

c) Dustbins shall be installed every 100 meters on roadsides in campus.

d) Cemented Dustbins are best options. Temporary options (until cemented bins are made) could be coal tar drums which can be renovated by painting them.

e) A compost pit behind every hostel shall be constructed.

f) There should be a dhalau (collection point) at certain intervals which can collect the waste from dustbins. The dhalau’s to be connected with Municipal Corporation of Mirzapur.

g) The dustbin should be divided into two parts i.e. one for biodegradable and other for non- biodegradable.

h) There shall be banners and posters to sensitize people to use dustbins.

2. Restriction on polythene use in campus

Suggestions:

a) Awareness is the first need. Banners, slogans, posters can be a good medium for that.

b) Partial ban on polythene shall be ordered by administration. Items below 500 g shall be provided with paper bags (thonga). Polythene bags to carry prepacked items like biscuits, s

oaps, shampoo and other general items shall be completely banned.

c) Common cart bags as discussed under waste management section shall be incorporated into the social culture.

d) The teacher’s has to play mentor for the cause.

 3. Drains and sewage system

Problems:

a) The drains from bathrooms are not connected to drainage system and the water is discharged open.

b) The capacity of the septic tanks and soak pits are not officially defined. Water from the soak pits flow out from it which can be a source of disease as cattle and dogs often roam in those areas.

c) The water is wasted in large amount by the students for their daily purpose.

Suggestions:

d) Absorbing capacity of soak pits to be redefined and required additional measures shall be taken to stop overflow of sewage water from soak pits.

e) The drains from bathroom shall be defined to proper disposal site. The water can be temporarily stored which can be used for gardening purposes.

f) A temporary storage tank at first floor can act as zero-energy watering system for the gardens in hostel where watering will be done by gravitational energy. A similar tank can also be made at ground floor containing three chambers which can be also used for such purposes.

g) The diameter of the tapes shall be reduced to conserve water as well as reduce waste water. Press taps can do well.

h) The capacity of toilet flushes can be reduced by placing empty bottles which will lead to reduction in sewage generation.

i) Residential students shall be made aware about need to conserve water.

 4. Community participation and monitoring of waste management practices

Suggestions:

a) Community participation programs and campaigns like cleanliness dries, competetions etc to be organized at regular intervals to spread awareness and sensitization of mass.

b) Waste management committees to be formed within hostels according to blocks or floors to monitor waste management, cleanliness etc.

c) Discussions and debates shall be organized in hostels on weekly basis to discuss the problems related to waste and other environmental concerns.

d) The students shall be given an environmental guide to follow while allotting their hostel.

….. Continued to Roundtable Meeting on 09.04.2012

KINDLY DROP YOUR SUGGESTIONS HERE OR EMAIL US at youngrgsc@gmail.com 

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