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PROJECT 1: BIODIVERSITY PARK AT CAMPUS

Introduction

The term “Biodiversity” refers to the variety of life on earth. Biodiversity is the queen of  every healthy, productive and sustainable ecosystem. Moreover, it is natures insurance policy against disasters.

Biodiversity Parks are unique landscapes of wilderness where native flora and fauna characteristic of the area are recreated and maintained.

Role of Biodiversity Park in Campus

Some important roles of biodiversity parks are listed below,

  • It serves as a nature reserve for the conservation of natural heritage of the area.
  • It enhances the quality of the urban environment.
  • It promotes eco-tourism.
  • It creates livelihood for living creatures.
  • It serves as a living laboratory for understanding the ecological processes and functions.
  • It buffers the local weather and serves as a sink for carbon dioxide and urban pollutants and serves as adaptation to climate change.
  • It preserves the rare endemic and threatened plant and animal species of the area

Aims and Objectives

  • To conserve the genetic stock available at the existing site of the park.
  • To select the species of rare, threatened and endangered plants whose population has dwindled considerably in their natural habitat and are likely to get extinct, if suitable conservation measures are not taken immediately.
  • To establish a Botanical Garden for public awareness and environmental education with special emphasis to economically important and endangered species of the region.

Nature of the Project

  • This project intends to establish one biodiversity park in each college affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, where the national service scheme has at least one unit
  • It is a long term sustainable and green project to recreate and protect biodiversity at campus. The land area of the park may vary from ten cents to acre to hectare, according to the availability of suitable land.
  • All varieties of plants and trees can be planted and protected at the park. Importance must be given to fruit trees. Evergreen trees like teak, rosewood, wild jack etc can also be considered. Another choice is to select Species of rare, threatened and endangered plants.
  • The college has the freedom to expand the area for the park every year. College can incorporate modern ideas of foresting like ‘Miawaki foresting’ for easy establishment of a park. Star forest, butterfly garden, medicinal garden etc. may add color and attractiveness’s to the park. Bio fencing methods can be adopted for making the park greener and beautiful.
  • After establishing the park, focus must be given to this specific area for all kinds of plating and environmental activities. Ordinary Name board or QR coded board must be placed at each plants and trees in a scientific way, which will help to add educational value to the project.

Functioning of the Project

  • Provide minimum 10 cents (to one acre) of land in convenient area of the campus for the park
  • Plant all kinds of trees and plants suitable to the ecosystems
  • Protect the vegetation by bio-fencing or by protection wall
  • Plant new saplings in and around the park for its enrichment
  • Place name board or QR coded boards on each plants for its identification
  • Fruit garden, medicinal garden, butterfly garden, star-forest etc. can be incorporated
  • Collect free saplings from forest/agricultural department (whenever possible)
  • Avail financial assistance from Biodiversity board, local self government, NGO’S and Forest department
  • Take support from PTA and Alumni

Conclusion

  • This project, “Biodiversity Park at Campus”, aims at creating Biodiversity Park in all colleges affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam under the leadership of National Service Scheme.

 

PROJECT 2: DRINKING WATER CONSERVATION PROJECT

Purpose

  • Convince the society that clean water is a gift of nature and it is the basic right of all living beings.
  • Convince the importance of conserving clean water and not depleting the resources.
  • Lead the conservation of remaining water resources.

Action

  • Find fresh water sources near the college. Take care of as many ponds, public wells and streams as possible.
  • Formulate action plan with public and Panchayat-Government agencies to clean up and protect the above.
  • Monitor regularly.

Supervision

  • Programme Officer, Volunteer Secretary, Panchayat Authorities, Residents NSS. Committee headed by volunteers (maximum 20 members).

Other suggestions

  1. Start water audit in all colleges and get statistics on water usage within the campus.
  2. Take measures for water recycling in colleges.
  3. Recycled water can be used for gardening, agriculture and toilet flushing.
  4. Spread ideas to reduce water use and implement it.
  5. If schools have more than one water sources, the unused ones can be used for public use.
  6. Water harvesting can be done to enrich water scarce land.
  7. Small rain pits and necessary arrangements to retain water can be accomplished using NSS volunteers.
  8. Concepts like small ponds and rain wells can be implemented to increase water availability in the adopted village land area.
  9. It is possible to maintain the availability of clean water by conserving existing small ponds and wells.
  10. Water quality can be ensured by testing the water sources of the adopted village at regular intervals.
  11. By removing waste from polluted water bodies and carrying out summer cleaning activities the unused water bodies can be revived.
  12. In collaboration with the Panchayat and local people, carry out activities to prevent dumping of garbage around water sources.
  13. Spring water harvesting project can be started by constructing small wells on the banks of rivers etc.
  14. The maintenance of public wells may be undertaken by volunteers under the National Service Scheme
  15. At least adopted village can be converted into a model village with access to clean water by making necessary topographical changes as mentioned above.
  16. Technologies can also be utilized for this endeavour.

 

PROJECT 6: PALLIATIVE CARE UNIT

Purpose

  • Cultivate in the youth a culture of compassion and love for the elderly and those suffering from illness.
  • Provide emotional support to those in palliative care, near the college.

Primary function

  • Find palliative care insiders within 5 km of the college. (With help from Asha Workers).
  • Form a palliative care unit of 15-20 people under the NSS unit.
  • Provide initial training in palliative care to the said team.
  • Divide the houses into teams of 3-5 people. Visit the said homes at regular intervals and provide services that can be provided to those in palliative care and their caregivers.

Action Plan

  • Arrangements should be made at the unit, district and university level as well to evaluate and supervise performance of the Palliative Care Unit.
  • Guidelines can be obtained from District Level Palliative Care Centres.
  • Volunteers should have the opportunity to visit palliative care centers.
  • Guidelines should be developed for the services that can be provided.
  • Small gifts (flowers, greeting cards, clothes, snacks) can also be given on special days.

Structure

  • NSS Centers formed in units will be staffed by trained volunteers and team leaders, and no other person should be included in the team.
  • Daily report of visit and service by NSS Palliative care should be recorded in the register.
  • Only volunteers who are interested in palliative care should be included in the team to undertake the services which can be done in collaboration with Gram Panchayat.
  • There will be a special monitoring committee at district and university level.