इको वन का एक छोटा सा प्रयास

काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय के राजीव गाँधी दक्षिणी परिसर से संचालित इको वन (Eco1) को पुनर्जीवित करने के प्रयास के तहत स्नातकोत्तर पर्यावरण विज्ञान ( पर्यावरण प्रौद्योगिकी) के छात्र छात्राओं ने 28 अक्टूबर 2017, शनिवार को विण्डम फॉल, मड़िहान स्तिथ प्राथमिक विद्यालय(कक्षा 1- कक्षा 5) में जाकर वहां के विद्यार्थियों को पर्यावरण और उसे स्वच्छ बनाने के प्रति उन्हें जागरूक किया, उन्हें पौधा रोपण, पानी के संरक्षण जैसे विषयों पर भी विद्यार्थियों को जागरूक किया गया |

छात्रों से बात करते Eco1 के सदस्य

विण्डम फॉल स्थित विद्यालय

रविवार 29 अक्टूबर 2017 को प्रातः 8 बजे Eco 1 क्लब के सदस्य छात्रों एवम शिवालिक छात्रावास के कुछ छात्रों के साथ मिलकर परसिर को साफ और स्वच्छ बनाने के लिए शिवालिक छात्रवास के सामने एक कूड़ेदान को लगाया, जो एक 500 ली० वाले पानी टंकी से बनाया,और साथ ही सभी छात्रों  को अवगत कराया गया की वो अपना कूड़ा कूड़ेदान में ही डाले।

x

Read More

Earth Hour : Embracing Darkness for a Greener World

Keeping on the tradition, this year too, the residents of RGSC, BHU celebrated the ninth edition of The Earth Hour with enthusiasm and vigor. On the moonlit evening of 28^th March 2015, on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, the Indian subcontinent joined the world in celebrating The Earth Hour by switching of electricity from 08:30pm – 09:30 pm. RGSC,BHU which has been actively celebrating Earth Hour for consecutively 4 years now, once again glowed the path by embracing darkness for the cause of better, cleaner and sustainable Environment.

If the readers be reminded then Earth Hour is a worldwide event started in the year 2007, in Sydney where 3000 office complexes switched off their electricity in order to express their solidarity for the cause of Climate Change. This event has now become a worldwide phenomenon which is currently seen not only as a tool for awareness but also as a dedication to prevailing climate change issues. Many metropolitan cities like New York, Sydney, Nairobi, London, Paris etc. (the list has now reached to more than hundred) have officially accepted the importance of this event and have been actively switching off light and organizing awareness programs. Worldwide 170 countries, 1200 landmarks and 40 UNESCO World Heritage have confirmed their participation in this year’s Earth Hour. India has been celebrating this Hour actively since 2009. Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar etc. have also celebrated the seventh edition of the event at official level.

Coming back to RGSC, BHU, the member of Eco1 made sure that all the denizens of the 6 hostels of RGSC got the news about Earth Hour. At sharp 08:30 pm, all the hostels switched off their light and came out of their respective hostels with candles to commemorate the Earth Hour. The whole process was supervised by Raj Maurya and his co- members of Eco1 who visited various hostels and made sure that the importance of the day is known to the students.  The starry sky and the moonlit night provided the perfect relaxing mood to appreciate the Nocturnal Beauty of RGSC. The gathering not only discussed about the various concerns regarding climate change, but also bonded over the recent calamity of Indian Team in Australia. Such was their enthusiasm some even suggested of celebrating Earth Hour every week!!! And truly so, a simple tip of the finger calculation shows that if the lights (fans excluded) of six hostels in RGSC is switched off for an hour then grossly 80kwh of electricity is saved, hence saving  5-6 quintals of coal. Thus is the impact of celebrating Earth Hour by just RGSC Campus. What really matters is the voluntary participation of the students which shows their solemn solidarity for the cause of larger issue of Climate Change.  

Once again the residents of RGSC have proved that if given a slight nudge, we are able to achieve much greater feats. Especially when it comes to Environmental issues.  Eco1, after its cleanliness drives, making the RGSC plastic free like etc. has added another remarkable feather to their hat by organizing Earth Hour consecutively for the 4^th time. This has proven the fact that we don’t only talk but also walk the talk. And that’s what’s actually required at this juncture to save our World. This year’s Earth Hour has and should show the politicians, bureaucrats and policymakers who are going to meet later this year at Paris to resolve a protocol based on The COP Lima 2014. Hopefully they show equal enthusiasm and genuine care in framing laws for our environment.

Awaiting the next Earth Hour….

Read More

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

Read More

EARTH HOUR organised @ RGSC: Another landmark added by Eco One

It was 8.30 pm on clock. Occasion was Earth Hour Day. The worldwide campaign organized by WWF in partnership with other environmental groups across the world to spread awareness about saving energy to reduce our carbon footprint. We all must be aware of the fact that coal fired power plants are major source of our electricity which is also a chief source of green house gas CO2.  On every last Saturday of March, a global campaign to switch off lights was started in which one hour there should be complete black out. Slowly, this campaign is reaching every corner of the world. In Banaras Hindu University, a first campaign of this type was organized in its south campus situated in Mirzapur. It was also a first time in history of RGSC that a candle march was held. Approximately 150 students participated in the first ever Earth Hour Campaign organized in BHU by Eco One, the environmental activism group started by students which is now getting support from the entire faculty and recently got the Vice Chancellor’s patronship. The lights of almost every rooms could be seen switched off.

As Eco One has always followed... ‘Our action speaks more than our word’. Our tradition follows in every campaign. This campaign was another addition to the landmarks Eco One has been setting since its inception a couple months ago.

The Earth Hour campaign not only witnessed a great enthusiasm from the students but Dr. Ashish Singh, who is very active member of Eco One and also Hostel Coordinator for RGSC joined this global campaign with his family.. As he said, ‘ I came here not for myself but my 1.5 year old daughter  in whom I want that sensitivity towards environment in her growing years’. Warden of Shivalik hostel Mr. Vijai Krishna along with his friend joined the campaign and informed students the reason for this campaign. The campaign was huge success pertaining to the fact that it was totally voluntarily.

After the candle march was over we put the candles in front of Malviyaji’s Statue in front of Admin building showing our respect to the ideology of Mahamna which Eco One has been following in all its activities.

Our special thanks to the inmates of Vindhyachal Hostel and New Boys Hostel who made this effort a great success! Many many congratulations to the Vindhyavasini Girls Hostel who supported the campaign by doing their part by switching off the lights. It is a great experience to be a part of the landmarks coming every other weeks! Eco One is proud to have such responsible students as its foundation and our teaching staff who are pillars supporting our strong building which is adding a floor with each works. Congrats!

Read More