News
Green Audit Report 2019
04 Jul 2019
Prepared By
Mr. Prabhat Ranjan, Registrar
Dr. Prateek Kushwah, Director
Mr. Pranav Singh , Director, PRO
Acknowledgement
Green Audit Assessment Team is grateful to Rama University for assigning this important work of Green Audit to the team. We appreciate the cooperation extended to our team during the entire process.
Our special thanks are due to :
- Chancellor – Dr. Suraj B.S Kushwah
- Vice- chancellor – Dr. Janardhana Amaranath B. J.
- Treasurer – Dr. (Mrs) Anu Kushwah
For giving us necessary guidance to carry out this vital exercise of Green Audit.
We are also thankful to Mr. Sameer Mishra, Asst. Director Research, All Deans of faculties, Er. S.B Srivastav, Mr. Bharat Tiwari NSS Coordinator for providing necessary inputs to the team.
Team Members:
Dr. Hari Om Saran, Dr. Rohit P Shabran, Dr. Manju Lata Arya, Ms. Akanksha Srivastava, Dr. Ajay Kumar, Dr. Keshave Reddy, Dr. K. K. Mishra
Executive Summary
The rapid urbanization and economic development at the local, regional and global level have led to several environmental and ecological crises. On this background, it becomes essential to adopt the system of the Green Campus for the institute which will lead to sustainable development.
Rama University, Uttar Pradesh is deeply concerned and unconditionally believes that there is an urgent need to address these fundamental problems and reverse the trends. The purpose of the audit was to ensure that the practices followed in the campus are in accordance with the Green Policy adopted by the institution. The methodology included: preparation and filling up of questionnaire, a physical inspection of the campus, observation and review of the documentation, interviewing key persons and data analysis, measurements, and recommendations. It works on the several facets of ‘Green Campus’ including Water Conservation, Tree Plantation, Waste Management, Paperless Work, Alternative Energy and Mapping of Biodiversity. With this in mind, the specific objectives of the audit were to evaluate the adequacy of the management control framework of environmental sustainability as well as the degree to which the departments are in compliance with the applicable regulations, policies, and standards. It can make a tremendous impact on student’s health and learning college operational costs and the environment. The criteria, methods, and recommendations used in the audit were based on the identified risks.
1. Introduction
Green Audit can be defined as systematic identification, quantification, recording, reporting, and analysis of components of environmental diversity. The ‘Green Audit’ aims to analyze environmental practices within and outside the college campus, which will have an impact on the eco-friendly ambiance. It was initiated with the motive of inspecting the work conducted within the organizations whose exercises can cause risk to the health of inhabitants and the environment. Through Green Audit, one gets a direction as to how to improve the condition of the environment and there are various factors that have determined the growth of carrying out Green Audit.
The green audit is assigned to the criteria 7 of NAAC, National Assessment and Accreditation Council which is a self-governing organization of India which declares the institutions as Grade A, B or C according to the scores assigned during the accreditation.
About the College
Rama University is established by the act of U.P State legislature No. 1/2014. Prior to the establishment of the university, the sponsoring body Rama Education Society managed Rama Medical College, Rama Dental College, Rama College of Nursing, Rama Institute of Engineering and Technology and Rama Institute of Management; now these colleges are merged to comprise a University with its constituent colleges/Faculties of the university. In the session 2015-16 and 2017-18 two more academic faculties, Faculty of Agriculture and Allied Industries and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences have been added.
The university has a lush green campus of the area about seventy-five-acre land. The academic departments have competent teaching faculties and state of art infrastructure as well. The students are drawn from U.P and other states especially from North East; this provides university a diversified cultural background. The campus has six hostels and a grand auditorium, playground and smart classes in each department. The departmental libraries house a wide array of books and are equipped with Koha Software for hassle-free management and to access e-learning resources eg. Delnet for journals.
The University has two N.S.S. unit, which is doing a tremendous job by organizing activities like blood donations, tree plantations, health check-up, personality development, etc. in this unit. The university has adopted five villages under Unnat Bharat Scheme and is developing resources in these villages with the help of Gram Samiti.
2. Objectives of the Study
The main objective of the green audit is to promote the Environment Management and Conservation in the University Campus. The purpose of the audit is to identify, quantify, describe and prioritize framework of Environment Sustainability in compliance with the applicable regulations, policies, and standards. The main objectives of carrying out Green Audit:
- To raise awareness among students towards the environment and its sustainability.
- To secure the environment and cut down the threats posed to human health by analyzing the pattern and extent of resource consumption and use in the campus.
- To establish baseline data to assess future sustainability issues by avoiding the interruptions in an environment today as it requires more effort and cost to manage the consequences in the future.
- Ensuring preventive care to reduce/eliminate the cost of corrective care.
- To bring out a status report on environmental compliance.
3. Methodology
In order to perform a green audit, the methodology included different tools such as preparation of questionnaire, a physical inspection of the campus, observation, and review of the documentation, interviewing key persons and data analysis, measurements, and recommendations. The study covered the following areas to summarise the present status of environmental management on the campus:
- Water management
- Energy Conservation
- Waste management
- E-waste management
- Green area management
4. Observations and Recommendations
Water Use
This indicator addresses water consumption, water sources, irrigation, appliances, and fixtures. A water audit is an on-site survey and assessment to determine the water use and hence improving the efficiency of its use.
a) Observations
The study observed that the Tube well and underground water is only sources of water on campus and in the hostels. Water is used for drinking purpose, toilets, and gardening. The wastewater from the RO water purifier is used for gardening purpose. During the survey, no loss of water is observed, neither by any leakages nor by the overflow of water from overhead tanks. The data collected from all the departments and hostels, staff quarter is examined and verified. On average, the total use of water in the campus is L/day, which includes L/day for domestic, gardening purposes. Rainwater harvesting units are also functional for recharging groundwater level.
b) Recommendations
- In campus small scale/medium scale/ large scale reuse and recycle of the water system is necessary.
- Minimize wastage of water and use of electricity during the water filtration process, if used, such as RO filtration process and ensure that the equipment used for such usage is regularly serviced.
- Ensure that all cleaning products used by campus staff have a minimal detrimental impact on the environment, i.e. they are biodegradable and non-toxic, even where this exceeds the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.
- Gardens should be watered by using drip/sprinkler irrigation system to minimize water use.
Energy Use and Conservation
This indicator addresses energy consumption, energy sources, energy monitoring, lighting, appliance, natural gas, and vehicles. Energy use is clearly an important aspect of campus sustainability and thus requires no explanation for its inclusion in the assessment.
a) Observations
Energy source utilized by the campus is electricity only. Total average energy consumption is determined as 1200 KWH/month. The entire campus including common facility centers are equipped with LED lamps and LED tube lights, except a few locations. Besides this, solar panels are also installed on the campus as an alternative renewable source of energy.
b) Recommendations
- In campus premises electricity should be shut down from the main building supply after occupancy time, to prevent power loss due to eddy current.
- Support renewable and carbon-neutral electricity options on any energy purchasing consortium, with the aim of supplying all college properties with electricity that can be attributed to renewable and carbon-neutral sources.
- It is preferable to purchase electricity from a company that invests in new sources of renewable and carbon-neutral electricity.
- Installation of LED lamps instead of CFL and replacing the old tube lights with the new LED tubes.
- 5–star rated Air Conditioners, Fans and CFLs should be used.
- Cleaning of tube-lights/bulbs to be done periodically, to remove dust over it.
Waste Generation
This indicator addresses waste production and disposal of different wastes like paper, food, plastic, biodegradable, construction, glass, dust, etc. and recycling. Furthermore, solid waste often includes wasted material resources that could otherwise be channeled into better service through recycling, repair, and reuse. Solid waste generation and management is a burning issue. Unscientific handling of solid waste can create threats to everyone. The survey focused on volume, type and current management practice of solid waste generated on the campus.
a) Observations
Waste generation from tree droppings and lawn management is a major solid waste generated in the campus. The waste is segregated at source by providing separate dustbins for dry and wet waste materials. There is a separate system for the disposal of medical waste from the hospital.
b) Recommendations
- Reduce the absolute amount of waste that is produced from the university staff quarter and hostels.
- Make full use of all recycling facilities.
- Provide sufficient, accessible and well-publicized collection points for recyclable waste, with responsibility for recycling clearly allocated.
- Important and confidential papers after their validity to be sent for pulping.
- Vermicomposting should be adopted on at least 300 sq. ft. of land.
E-Waste Generation
E-waste can be described as consumer and business electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful life. This makes up about 5% of all municipal solid waste worldwide but is much more hazardous than other waste because electronic components contain cadmium, lead, mercury, and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that can damage human health and the environment.
a) Observations
E-waste generated in the campus is very less in quantity. The administration conducts awareness programs regarding E-waste Management with the help of various departments. The E-waste and defective item from the computer laboratory are being stored properly. The institution has decided to contact approved E-waste management and disposal facility in order to dispose of E-waste in a scientific manner.
b) Recommendations
- Recycle or safely dispose of white goods, computers and electrical appliances.
- Use reusable resources and containers and avoid unnecessary packaging where possible.
- Always purchase recycled resources where these are both suitable and available.
Green Area
This includes the plants, greenery, and sustainability of the campus to ensure that the buildings conform to green standards. This also helps in ensuring that the Environmental Policy is enacted, enforced and reviewed using various environmental awareness programs.
a) Observations
The campus is located in the vicinity of many trees (species) to maintain the biodiversity. Various tree plantation programs are being organized at the university campus and surrounding villages through NSS (National Service Scheme) unit. This program helps in encouraging an eco-friendly environment which provides pure oxygen within the institute and awareness among villagers. The plantation program includes various type of indigenous species of ornamental and medicinal wild plant species.
Seed bowls were prepared and planted by approx 150 members, including NSS unit and students of the departments, especially the Department of Agriculture Sciences. A herbal garden has been created on the campus for encouraging the Ayurveda system of medicine.
b) Recommendations
- Review periodically the list of trees planted in the garden, allot numbers to the trees and keep records. Assign scientific names to the trees.
- Promote environmental awareness as a part of course work in various curricular areas, independent research projects, and community service. Create awareness of environmental sustainability and take actions to ensure environmental sustainability.
- Establish a Campus Environmental Committee that will hold responsibility for the enactment, enforcement, and review of the Environmental Policy. The Environmental Committee shall be the source of advice and guidance to staff and students on how to implement this Policy.
- Ensure that an audit is conducted annually and action is taken on the basis of audit report, recommendation and findings.
- Celebrate every year 5th June as ‘Environment Day’ and plant trees on this day to make the campus more Green.
- Indoor plantation to inculcate interest in students, Bonsai can be planted in the corridor to bond a relationship with nature.
- The green library should be established.
5. Conclusions
Considering the fact that the institution is predominantly a university, there is significant environmental research both by faculty and students. Environmental awareness initiatives are substantial. The installation of solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system are noteworthy. Besides, environmental awareness programs initiated by the administration shows how the campus is going green. Few recommendations are added to curb the menace of waste management using eco-friendly and scientific techniques. This may lead to the prosperous future in the context of Green Campus & thus sustainable environment and community development.
As part of a green audit of campus, we carried out the environmental monitoring of campus including Illumination and Ventilation of the classroom. It was observed that Illumination and Ventilation are adequate considering natural light.