Best Practice 1
Title of the Practice:
Haritham Amrutham Drive
Objectives of the practice
The institution has launched 'Haritham Amrutham' to promote biodiversity preservation and sustainable lifestyles. This initiative aims to address habitat destruction and overexploitation of natural resources while embracing its “Go Green, Live Green” philosophy. The key objectives include raising awareness about ecological challenges, preventing ecological degradation, nurturing an ecologically sensitive generation, and advocating for eco-ethics and eco-justice.
By integrating sustainability practices, 'Haritham Amrutham' encourages organic farming and traditional agricultural practices among students and the local community with the goal of transforming the campus into a zero-carbon emission zone. Additionally, the initiative focuses on preserving nearby wetlands, converting biodegradable waste into manure to maintain a hygienic environment, and raising public awareness about the value of biodiversity. The program's motto highlights that preserving biodiversity is not optional but an urgent necessity for the planet's future, emphasizing collective responsibility for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
The Context
Biodiversity conservation, crucial for our health, economy, and overall well-being, involves safeguarding the variety of species, habitats, ecosystems, and genetic diversity on Earth. It is integral to development sectors and mitigates climate change impacts. Preserving habitats reduces carbon dioxide emissions, and protecting coastal ecosystems like mangroves helps counteract effects such as flooding. Biodiverse ecosystems act as natural filters, purifying air and water, regulating climate, and sustaining fertile soils. Forests, wetlands, and coral reefs provide natural defence against floods and erosion, safeguarding communities. Overall, biodiversity preservation is essential for the stability, resilience, and sustainability of life on Earth.
The Practice
The initiative engages in various programs to raise awareness about biodiversity preservation in Vaikom Taluk. This includes awareness campaigns, surveys, and door-to-door distribution of handouts. The institution supports local agricultural promotion, waste management, anti-plastic campaigns, and social auditing. To achieve goals, the "Green Volunteers" group, along with NSS and NCC members, leads anti-plastic and cleaning drives. The college dedicates areas for Butterfly Garden, Medicinal Plant Garden, and Aquatic Plants Garden, emphasizing water channel preservation, pisciculture and biodiversity conservation. Organic farming and eco-friendly agricultural practices are also promoted at the campus.
Evidence of Success
Biodiversity preservation, inherently complex to measure directly, is closely tied to the attitudes and actions of the youth and local residents. The college's biodiversity preservation and green initiatives have enhanced students' interest in learning more about nature, leading them to choose projects focused on this area. The student projects on biodiversity (2018- 23) spans across various categories including odonates and butterflies, indigenous fishes, avian fauna, mangroves and medicinal plants, clams, insects, and water quality.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required
A notable limitation of current performance measurement systems is their dependence on internal self-assessments. To bolster credibility with stakeholders, implementing independent verification and audit systems is essential. These external mechanisms offer unbiased evaluations, ensuring transparency and enhancing organizational credibility.
Best Practice 2
1. Title of the Practice:
Sujalam Vembanad Drive
2. Objectives of the practice
The institution's "Sujalam Vembanad Drive" engages students and local residents in the eco-restoration of Vembanad Lake, a globally recognized Ramsar site, incorporating the 'Revamp Vaikom' initiatives. This effort focuses on eliminating water pollution, preserving fisheries, safeguarding wetland ecosystems, promoting sustainable development, and protecting diverse plant and animal species. Vembanad Lake serves as a crucial habitat and nursery, acting as a transitional ecotone between the sea and land. The primary objective is to garner public support for maintaining the lake's cleanliness while promoting sustainable practices such as responsible tourism, eco-friendly agriculture, and lake-friendly fishing techniques in the surrounding areas. The drive underscores the importance of preserving the ecological balance and biodiversity of wetlands. By actively involving students and local communities, it aims to raise awareness and foster collective efforts in conserving Vembanad Lake and its surrounding wetlands, thus contributing positively to Ramsar site conservation and the sustainable development of the region.
3. The Context
Vembanad Lake in Kerala, the largest lake in India and a Ramsar site, boasts diverse habitats like marshes, backwaters, and mangrove forests. This ecosystem harbours a rich array of plant and animal species, including endangered birds. Crucial for flood control and protection against coastal erosion, the lake was designated a Ramsar Site in 2002. As the institution is situated on its bank, preserving Vembanad Lake is a top priority. Safeguarding this ecosystem ensures long-term sustainability, benefiting biodiversity, climate change mitigation, water resource management, and the well-being of both nature and humanity.
4. The Practice
This drive targets youth, residents, houseboat owners, tourists, and fisherfolk through awareness programs, surveys, and handouts. Green Volunteers conduct mangrove drives at various nearby locations, organize programs with the Clean Vembanad Organization, and lead anti-plastic campaigns and the 'Clean Vembanad Drive' since 2019 to ensure the water quality of Vembanad Lake. Releasing fingerlings into the lake supports biodiversity preservation. Faculty and students actively participate in lake protection, awareness campaigns, and social auditing. By engaging the college community and stakeholders, the initiative fosters collective responsibility for the conservation of Vembanad Lake. Through Green Volunteers and institutional support, these efforts aim to positively impact the lake's ecological well-being and promote sustainable development in the region.
5. Evidence of Success
Since 2019, Green Volunteers have conducted mangrove drives at various locations, releasing fingerlings into the lake and conducting Odonate surveys to support biodiversity preservation. Collaborating with the Clean Vembanad Organization, the college has led anti-plastic campaigns, the 'Clean Vembanad Drive,' and mangrove planting initiatives to maintain Vembanad Lake's water quality. Targeting youth, residents, houseboat owners, tourists, and fisherfolk, these efforts include awareness programs, surveys, and handouts. By actively involving students and local residents in eco-friendly activities, the college has fostered a biophilic attitude within the community. Faculty and students participate in lake protection initiatives, awareness campaigns, and social auditing, fostering collective responsibility for Vembanad Lake's conservation. These activities, supported by Green Volunteers and institutional backing, positively impact the lake's ecological well-being and promote sustainable development, demonstrating significant strides in environmental conservation and community involvement.
6. Problems Encountered and Resources Required
Current performance measurement systems often rely on internal self-assessments, potentially lacking objectivity and introducing biases. Recognizing this, the college conducted an annual survey among local residents to gauge their understanding, awareness, and engagement in wetland ecosystem and biodiversity conservation. This survey assessed community perspectives and attitudes towards conservation strategies. In response, the college initiated a lecture series titled "Punarjeevanam" to impart scientific knowledge about wetland ecosystem preservation to the local community.