Most people do not actively go out of their way to destroy the planet. In fact, for most of us, cutting a tree is neither a regular occurrence nor something they take too lightly.
But by simple daily acts done by us all unthinkingly – from wasting paper to letting a sapling die, we are collectively destroying the very heroes keeping us alive – our trees.
The trees, whose efforts ensure we live and thrive in a climate healthy for us, are often the last thing on our minds – especially when we chase development. But it has been proven time and time again that awareness is the key to change this mentality.
As more and more people become aware of the severe repercussions of destroying trees and climate change, a powerful global movement is on the rise to ensure this planet’s natural world can thrive.
And at the forefront of such efforts in India on a large scale are the efforts of Mahindra Rise.
Their ‘people-participation’ approach to planting and nurturing trees aims to restore and rejuvenate the Earth to its healthiest self, eliminating years of exploitation and decay. A lofty goal for sure.
Among their many initiatives, the latest to highlight the problem of environmental degradation is the campaign ‘#RiseAgainstClimateChange’ – which seeks to tip the balance in the all-too-critical fight for increased awareness.
And to ensure word spreads far and wide, the campaign launched on February 26 with a special film, The Hardest Workers.
An animation short-film, it focuses on the dark reality of our environment, where in spite of our repeated violence against nature, it is a tree that continues to clean up after us, exhausting itself in its noble pursuit of protecting life on Earth.
And just in case you are wondering about the whole ‘cutting a tree to make a ‘save the trees’ poster’ problem, do note that the film was shot in the most environment-friendly manner. The sets were constructed from more than 150 kg of recycled waste paper, old cardboard boxes and scrap newspapers, all of which was eventually shredded and converted into manure.
So, after more than 3,600 hours of hard work, a team of 72 craftsmen and paper-artists turned kilos of paper garbage into substantial art and a medium of positive change.
Check out the film here:
“With the #RiseAgainstClimateChange campaign, we’re bringing to the forefront, the issue of environmental degradation and seeking the people’s power to address it through the act of planting trees. To make our message more impactful, we built the sets for our film using only recycled waste paper, ensuring that every aspect of the communication reinforces the cause of conservation,” says Vivek Nayer, Chief Marketing Officer, Group Corporate Brand, Mahindra Group.
While this is the latest initiative by Mahindra, their larger goal towards contributing to the creation of a healthier environment also led to the launch of Project Hariyali.
In a world where we continue to lose 18.7 million acres of forests every year, taking a step backwards to re-grow and nurture the Earth is what this project hopes to do.
Launched on October 2, 2007, and primarily a tree plantation initiative, it has been able to plant and care for over 15 million trees across the country – a continuation of a promise to add one million trees to India’s green cover every single year.
But, the work does not end at planting the saplings. To ensure substantial change, the company has been initiating an external audit every three years. According to this, the survival rate of trees planted through the project has increased to 70-80 per cent, depending on the location.
Each sapling is native to India and its climate and is planted in the pre-monsoon season so that it receives sufficient water at an early stage. From adding mulch to irrigating various sites, the project has ensured durable nurturing of the trees.
With these initiatives in place, Mahindra plans to work towards waste management in the future.
After all, some of us pollute without thinking and some clean without question. It’s on you to decide who you want to be.
On June 1 and 2, nearly 5,000 Mumbaikars came together to clean up almost 20 tonnes of trash from nine beachfronts, four rivers and different mangrove locations all the same time.
Although the Maximum City does have multiple volunteer groups engaged in cleaning domestic waste across these locations at their convenience, many of them have come together under the Jallosh-Clean Coasts initiative led by Project Mumbai, a non-profit.
This is the first-of-its-kind citywide initiative with participation from environment groups, citizen volunteers, state agencies, school and college students and corporations.
“There are a lot of groups dedicated to cleaning beaches, but they all work in silos. Project Mumbai brought all of them together. We passionately believe in creating social transformation through scale. A bigger noise compels the government to take notice. Moreover, it also brings ordinary citizens out into these public spaces, making them see the scale of the problem, equipping them with the necessary skills to clean them and eventually getting them to spread the message to their families, friends or office colleagues,” says Shishir Joshi, the Founder of Project Mumbai.
The initiative will come together today, on World Environment Day, to round off its three-day clean-up schedule, and is likely to witness high participation.
Beach cleaning drive. (Source: Beach Please)
“Volunteers at Beach Please have been doing clean up work at Dadar Beach and Mithi River for the past two years now. On June 1 and 2, we had about 800 people joining us for the clean-up drive in these two locations. For the Mithi River, this was a particularly great turnout because the terrible stench in the area (due to open defecation, industrial effluents, waste from recycling plants based out of Dharavi, illegal sand mining and construction debris), often drives volunteers away,” says Malhar Kalambe, who started ‘Beach Please’ to make Dadar beach waste-free, speaking to The Better India.
Using gloves, facemasks, buckets and hand tools, volunteers with Beach Please have focussed on cleaning the river shore which has a lot of plastic.
Nearly six months ago, there was such a thick layer of plastic that one even couldn’t see the sand below. There have been some improvements since, but not enough with the monsoon coming up.
According to Malhar, single-use plastics like PET bottles, plastic carry bags make up nearly 90% of the waste picked up on a beachfront or a water body, and that’s what one finds on the Dadar Beach as well. The waste that comes to Dadar Beach is from the Mithi River.
While the organisation has found no support from the municipal corporation for cleaning up the Mithi River, it gave them a collection truck for waste collected from Dadar beach.
Meanwhile, other beach clean up crusaders like Afroz Shah took his team of more than 350 volunteers to clean up trash across other beach fronts using different waste removal equipment.
Cleaning up the trash at Mithi River. (Source: Beach Please)
“The maximum amount of trash was removed from Dana Pani beach and Mithi River. A little over 7,000kg trash, mostly plastic, was removed from nine beach fronts – Dana Pani beach in Malad, Chimbai in Bandra, Versova, Juhu, Girgaum, Dadar, Mahim, Cuffe Parade, and Carter Road — and 8,000kg trash was removed from Mithi and Poisar rivers on Saturday and Sunday.”
On the Mithi River, however, it’s not only solid plastic waste but other sources of effluents as mentioned above. The water there is entirely black. All of this makes up the clean-up process extremely complicated.
“Beach Please began cleaning up in Mithi river in November 2018. Mumbai faces floods every year, and the Mithi River is largely responsible for it. As a result of the solid waste in the river, the drainage system gets choked up, and during monsoons, it floods up every year. By cleaning up the river, we are not only cleaning the environment but also preventing floods that may happen this year also,” says Malhar, to The Better India.
Besides water bodies and beach fronts, there are challenges in cleaning the city’s famed mangrove forests in Malad and Gorai as well.
Local officials helping in the beach cleaning drive. (Source: Beach Please)
“Removing plastic waste from mangroves was difficult as we were trying to maintain balance on sticky mudflats while pulling out plastic, which was stuck to tree roots. A joint effort of students and mangrove cell officials helped clear 120 kgs of trash across a stretch of 200m in Gorai,” said Moon Bhandari from Mangrove Foundation to the national daily.
Shishir mentions that Project Mumbai has been receiving incessant queries from people who missed the boat initially, but now want to know whether they can join this initiative.
“Ordinary citizens are actually stepping out, corporates want to sign up, and various departments are sending their officials to participate. This is not a one off event, and a sustainable collaborative initiative under Jallosh will continue, but it will not merely about beaches and plastics. Everybody cleans beaches because it’s easy to clean it up, but can we look at other water bodies and mangrove locations as well?” he asks
While it is indeed commendable that the initiative has united Mumbai’s residents, even if it is for three days, there are challenges aplenty for the city, which by most accounts has a poor waste management system.
Waste segregation at source is a concept that many locals haven’t taken seriously or don’t understand.
(Source: Beach Please)
If every resident did take it seriously in practice, nearly half the city’s waste problems would get resolved, says Malhar.
He also believes that mass initiatives like Jallosh-Clean Coasts must happen more often in Mumbai.
“What we have learnt is that during our regular clean-up sessions, not many people turn up. We need to conduct big events with media coverage so that more people turn up. It’s about understanding the psychology of the volunteer and citizens,” he informs.
For example, last October, Beach Please conducted the Clean Coast Cup, a beach cleaning competition between the city’s different colleges. According to Malhar, on a single day, more than 1200 college students from 20 colleges participated in the event.
(Source: Beach Please)
“Events like these motivate them. See, not everyone is crazy about the environment like us, so we try to incentivise the process. For the competition, we gave them cups medals and cash prizes. We are planning to do a second season of this competition. Logistics is difficult, but these events should happen once in three or four months. This requires constant media hype and attention, as well. However, what these regular events do is build consciousness among Mumbai residents,” says Malhar.
Raising mass consciousness is what eventually brings real change.
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)
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Living in India, you would have come across huge billboards or flexes everyday. From highways to markets, the flashy material is used by advertising companies to draw people’s attention. Any wholesale or major market you visit will find numerous advertisements, names, images and banners, which have been placed there to attract as many customers as possible.
Psychological impact aside, these flex boards also have hazardous effects on the environment.
Also known as ‘Poison Plastic’, the flexes are made from a material called Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), a synthetic plastic polymer. Since PVCs are non-biodegradable, they do not degrade on their own, so, one of the options is to burn them. When burnt, they release toxic fumes that have serious implications on public health.
Another option is to send them to the landfills as waste pickers do not earn anything from the discarded flexes. This further burdens the trenching grounds with waste that does not dissolve for years together, “No one picks it up as it has no, so it is a major issue for the municipal corporations to clear it,” says Dipen.
“This commonplace plastic is one of the most toxic substances saturating our planet and its inhabitants. PVC contaminates humans and the environment throughout its lifecycle: during its production, use, and disposal. Few consumers realize that PVC is the single most environmentally damaging of all plastics,” says Greenpeace International.
In the 1960s, when governments across the world started prohibiting industrial chlorine, companies turned to alternatives and thus, there was in a rise in PVC production.
As per The Times of India, 90 per cent of all advertising in India in 2017 was done on PVC. On an average, around 18 tonnes of PVC flex is consumed per month.
However, the good news is that a transition to eco-friendly alternatives to PVC is possible, and many states in India have already initiated the switch.
Bengaluru-based Universal Products has developed one-of-its-kind eco-friendly flexes called ‘EcoSigns’ that are not only biodegradable but also recyclable. Founded by Dipen Mehta (originally from Rajkot), the company was launched in 1993 to provide foam banners for ads and campaigning purposes.
Speaking exclusively to The Better India, he says,
There are no recyclable flexes available in India and very few global companies develop PVC flexes that do not harm the environment. Despite rampant use, we are not aware of their harmful repercussions. We have invented 100 per cent recyclable and eco-friendly flexes as per the IS/ISO15985 report for digital printing.
Elaborating on the benefits, he says, “The product does not emit any hazardous gases when it comes in contact with chemicals like solvent ink. Though it is made of Polyethylene (PE), it can biodegrade within 14-15 months. More and more corporates, advertising, and printing organisations are coming forward to use our product.”
As for the cost, the PVC flex material at Rs 3-7 is cheaper than Ecoflex which is priced at Rs 8-10 per sq ft.
We have tried to keep our margins reasonable. But one has to realise that opting for cheap PVC will harm the environment in the long run. Investing a little more in greener alternatives now will save our valuable resources in future, he says.
The target audience includes corporate companies and government bodies. To help them achieve their ‘zero-waste’ target, Universal Products also offers a buyback policy where a customer can sell used flex to the company for Rs 15 per kilo.
Some of the big names who have opted for Dipen’s product include the Government of Kerala, Amul, Coca Cola, Himalaya Drug Co., and Hindustan Unilever.
Other means of promoting the product include talks, hosting events, marathons, exhibitions and so on, “We are trying to market our product in every possible sector to encourage more people to buy it. By 2020, the government aims to eliminate all single-use plastics. Ecoflex will make the implementation smoother.”
In the last four years, the company has sold flex more than 10 million square feet flex, with most customers from Kerala, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh, states where the PVC flex is banned.
With an increase in demand and potential bans in other states, the company hopes to expand its production capacity by three times from the current 40,000 sqm/day to 1,20,000 sqm/day.
Nature has given us precious resources, like water and trees, to help us meet our needs. We cannot be selfish by only taking, without giving back. It is time everyone takes up responsibility towards creating a sustainable environment, he concludes.
Universal Products is looking for investors and industry stakeholders for a possible association to take this initiative across the country and the globe. Get in touch with them here. Or write them at products93@gmail.com
Did you know that indoor air pollution contributes between 22 to 52 per cent to the overall pollution levels in India, according to a study by United Nations Environmental Programme?
The study warns the need to drastically reduce the household cooking and heat emissions to improve the air quality. Unfortunately, rural India chokes on the hazardous fumes from traditional stoves daily.
Of the total 70 per cent of rural population, around 80 per cent families use biomass fuel like wood, crops, manure, and garbage for cooking purposes. From respiratory diseases, lung cancer to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, using traditional stoves can seriously take a toll on one’s health.
Mohan Nagar, a social activist, working with the Bharat Bharti Shiksha Samiti, NGO in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh collaborated with IIT-Bombay and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in 2018, to combat premature deaths due to indoor air pollution.
IIT students working for Solar Urja Lamp (SoUL) project have made a special induction-like stove that runs on solar power. Guiding the project were Professor Chetan S. Solanki, the head of the programme, Department of Energy Science and Engineering and Associate Professor Jayendran Venkateswaran.
In 2017, the eco-friendly invention won the first prize at the national level Solar Chulha Challenge conducted by ONGC.
When Mohan read about it in a regional newspaper, he contacted the IIT-B team to install the stoves in Bancha village. He also got the ONGC department on board to fund the project.
Bancha became the first all solar-kitchen village in India
“There are 74 families in Bancha and all of them used to visit a nearby forest every day to get wood. This practice was not only harming the environment but also their health due to the smoke. Having worked for the village in other social issues in the past, it was not very difficult to make all the households shift to an eco-friendly option,” Mohan tells The Better India (TBI).
The installation of solar-powered stoves, plates and batteries was completed in the December of 2018 with Mohan conducting several training sessions for the villagers.
Our main challenge was to change people’s mindset towards the greener and cleaner transition. It is not easy to disrupt the habits and routine of the people. The acceptance came as soon as they realised the benefits of this stove, says Mohan.
The model is designed for a family of five with three units of power generated per day.
Explaining its features, Venkata Pavan Kumar, Project Manager (Technical) in SoUL Project, IIT, tells TBI,
It will work round the year except during the rain when the presence of the sun is minimal. It can cook three meals a day and has a power back up of two hours.
The stove weighs one kilo and indicates the status and usage of battery. It has three switches to change the degree of heat. Two villagers have been trained to maintain the stoves in case there is a problem.
It has been a little over six months since the installation and the results are satisfactory, claims Mohan, “There is no maintenance cost and through solar plates, the villagers are also able to get free electricity.”
TBI spoke to Anil Udke, one of the beneficiaries to get the ground reality.
Ever since I can remember as a child, we have been sourcing wood from the jungle for cooking. It has been more than two decades since I have been waking up early to travel a few kilometres to cut wood. Every day we needed a minimum of 20 kilos of wood for all the meals. My children also followed for my path until the new stoves came in.
Highlighting the benefits of the stove, he further adds, “Earlier, my mother and wife’s eyes burnt from all the smoke and cooking a meal took a lot of time. Now, I am no more worried about their health and my time is also saved.”
The IIT-B team and Manohar are currently monitoring the entire project and will soon prepare an analytic report. The premier institute, along with ONGC, will soon replicate Bancha’s system in a village of Hoshangabad district.
The dense jungles of Khasi and Jaintia hills in Meghalaya are home to unique bridges that can seemingly last forever. Created by weaving and manipulating the roots of the rubber tree (Ficus Elastica), these living root bridges have, for centuries, sustained the War Khasi tribal community living on the southern slopes of the hills bordering Bangladesh.
Since generations, people have been making these bridges as a means of transportation for their products from their farmlands to villages, linking one place to another over rivers and streams, the dense forests. These bridges are often built using scaffolds made of bamboo or the hollowed out trunks of areca nut trees.
First they build a robust bamboo or areca nut-made framework bridge over the river or stream crossing, following which they pull the roots from the branch of Ficus Elastica. Gradually, they manipulate the roots of the trees so that they entwine around the frame. Every two years, this framework needs to change because of the damp and humid conditions that can cause the bamboo to rot.
Over a period of 20-30 years, they keep guiding the roots on the existing bridges till the roots can stand on their own and then you have your living root bridges that naturally require constant monitoring and care. On an average, these bridges grow to 50-100 feet. The longest known living root bridge in the state is of 175 feet located near Mawkyrnot village of East Khasi Hills district.
“These bridges can last forever! According to me, if you take care and maintain the bridge properly, it will continue to grow roots that will replace the older ones unlike other researchers who believe these bridges can last 500-600 years,” says Morningstar Khongthaw, the 23-year-old school dropout and founder of the Living Bridge Foundation (LBF), a foundation dedicated to the preservation of this unique cultural heritage, speaking to The Better India (TBI). However, according to multiple studies, the life span of these bridges is thought to be between 500-600 years.
A living root bridge at a distance.
“Till now, we haven’t found a technique that could help the bamboo last long. Every two years, we need to replace the bamboo scaffolding. In the future, if we can find a way to treat it to last longer, we can definitely make the bridge grow faster. Most of the bridges we have found in Khasi or Jaintia Hills have been around for centuries,” adds Morningstar.
At the initial stages of the bridge, not more than 5-10 people can cross it in a day. Again, the ability of a bridge to carry weight depends on location. Sometimes, the height between the bridge and the said river or stream is very high unlike in Nohwet village, where the gap is just two-three metres.
In Morningstar’s village, the drop is steeper. Taking such risks into account, the bridge can carry a certain number of people at a time.
Morningstar is a native of Rangthylliang village in the Pynursla tehsil of the East Khasi Hills district. Calling himself a ‘living bridge activist’, he’s been involved, for the past five years, in maintaining living root bridges that have gone into disrepair and building new ones. He travels from one village to another, helping people understand the value of this ancient skill and how they can take care of their wonderful heritage.
Thanks to the advent of technology, particularly with the emphasis on temporary concrete bridges, footpaths, and pucca roads, people have forgotten these living root bridges. Through various projects, the LBF is trying to spread awareness among the Khasi community about the value of preserving this traditional skill set and art form.
Morningstar working on a living root bridge.
“I come from a village where we have the highest concentration of these living root bridges. My village has around 20 of them. Sometime around late 2013, while I was studying in Shillong I began involving myself with local communities, and NGOs. Growing up, my father, a farmer, along with a few other relatives, was actively involved in the maintenance of these community-owned bridges,” says Morningstar.
Strangely enough, it wasn’t his family who encouraged his passion for living root bridges, but an American traveller, Patrick Rogers, who came to Meghalaya in the early 2014.
“He was the first person to encourage and support me in this endeavour,” claims Morningstar.
By 2016, after dropping out of high school in Shillong, he began concentrating on his conservation work full time. “Yes, there was some unrest at home. But some of my friends, who have done their BA and MA, are sitting today with no jobs at home. Unless you’re rich or have connections, it’s extremely difficult to get any government jobs. For me, preserving living root bridges is my passion. Although no support came from my family, I persevered in my desire to spread the gospel of this unique local knowledge system,” he recalls.
Living root bridge.
Starting the Living Bridge Initiative in 2016 by himself, Morningstar’s work transformed after he acquired a smartphone the following year. Besides facilitating greater awareness on social media, it also helped him organise and create his own Facebook page.
In May 2018, he started LBF, which today has 10 passionate members. Although he does most of the bridge repair, maintenance and construction alongside local community members, the other nine help with raising awareness, conducting programmes and campaigns.
However, his ‘living root bridge activism’ really took off following a visit in 2015 to the famous Nohwet bridge near Mawlynnong village, a major tourist destination. What particularly pained him was the concrete additions made in the area surrounding the tree. Besides poor aesthetics, these structures reduce the roots’ access to water.
“People were like, ‘we get money, but the bridge sacrifices for us’. These communities didn’t understand the concept of promoting sustainable tourism around the living root bridge. That’s what inspired me to start this initiative to protect them,” he says.
Once a year, in some villages in the Khasi Hills, where the War community reside, locals conduct a cleaning drive on ancient trails that once acted as a key source of connectivity. Everyone in the village participates in this cleaning drives. In places which have living root bridges, these locals also do maintenance work. Last year, the LBF had traversed through 15 villages in the Pynursla area raising awareness about these bridges. They expect to cover more villages this year.
“Local villagers help me with this initiative. When we reach one, we conduct a meeting, and then visit the living root bridge, where we can do some repair work. Some of these bridges are very old, while others are neglected because villages are being connected by roads. We need people to understand the importance of these bridges,” he adds.
For maintenance during the rainy season, the LBF team applies rotten leaf, soil and wood close to the bark of the tree, giving the ficus tree nutrition and helping it grow. Sometimes, they initiate chopping. For example, if there is an old ficus tree with no roots, locals have to chop off any part of the tree bark so that after a few months when the rainy season arrives, they will produce a small branch, from which the roots will emerge.
Even today, these structures are very useful in places that don’t have roads. People still use and preserve them. “When we went to one village, there were elders, who were initially apprehensive about our work. They initially thought we were only interested in removing these living root bridges and building pucca roads. But when I told them about my work, they were very happy and incredibly supportive as well,” informs Morningstar.
An elderly citizen assisting with the maintenance of living root bridge.
The LBF is also working on building two bridges with bamboo scaffolding, that they had built on World Environment Day last year and Earth Day this year. Morningstar is currently documenting how these roots grow at these two locations, and claims they will grow into full-fledged bridges in about 20 years. “It’s not about us, but the future,” he says.
Besides bridges, however, Morningstar is using similar techniques to build other structures in the forest, ranging from ladders, swings, seating platforms to even tunnels. Since it emerges and draws strength from nature, Morningstar calls this ‘living architecture’ and wants these rubber trees to become centres for knowledge about green architecture. He earns as a guide for travellers in these parts, and on occasions, receives additional donations from them to fund his endeavour. Thus far, he hasn’t received any real assistance from local nonprofits and government officials. Help instead has come from unexpected sources like a team from the Technical University of Munich, which supported his initiative and even presented him with a camera to take good quality photos.
Living architecture
Recognition has also come from educational institutions in Shillong like the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), which invited him to give a presentation at a conference on March 18, 2019.
Morningstar addressing local villagers.
In fact, next week, he is going to the Garo Hills. As people from his War Khasi community specialise in building these root bridges, the Deputy Commissioner of the West Garo Hills district has invited him to inspect rubber trees in a region where locals don’t know how to build the unique bridges.
“In Meghalaya, we have more than a 100 living root bridges. My region has around 60+. Next month on 20 July, we have LBF’s foundation day when we plan to give awards of recognition to all these living architects and elders in villages involved in planting rubber trees, building living bridges, and maintaining them. They are the real heroes and living root bridge activists. The world should know about them. We must recognise these people, who are actually the scientists behind these living root bridges. However, I would like to do my part and share this knowledge across different parts of India as well,” says Morningstar.
Some of the reasons why Kerala is synonymous with greenery are the many festivals, folklore and rituals that are closely related to nature. Growing up in the state means spending most of the time amidst lush greenery and the paddy fields.
For M R Hari, it was no different. There were several varieties of medicinal, flowering and fruiting trees in his ancestral house in Kottayam town.
One of my most cherished childhood memories is playing around the trees and chewing on medicinal leaves every time there was a health problem. Numerous birds would chirp and often the elephants would also visit as we had palm trees. We also used to grow seasonal trees like cashew nuts, jackfruits and tamarind,” Hari, Managing Director of Invis Multimedia, tells The Better India (TBI).
Hari was taught about the importance of trees from a young age. Besides learning about the environmental benefits and medicinal properties of trees, Hari was also informed about their cultural significance.
In our culture, we do not visit anyone’s house empty-handed. In my house, it was a ritual that we always take some fruits and flowers from our trees when visiting anyone’s house, he adds.
When he moved to Thiruvananthapuram after education in the 90s, he witnessed a steady decline in green cover due to concretisation. He even joined city-based social groups fighting for the environment.
However, it was not until the recent past that Hari took it upon himself to contribute.
Finding an atmosphere present in the forest in urban spaces is next to impossible, and my ancestral property is no more. Well-versed with environmental problems, I started planting saplings on my property in Puliyarakonam (13 km from Thiruvananthapuram), he says.
Planting trees proved to be an uphill task for Hari as the land was not fertile and there was a shortage of water, “Thrice my vegetation has been destroyed due to the physical condition of the land.”
Hari converted a dry land into a ferile one with the help of cows
Hari purchased around 12 indigenous cows to make his 2-acre-land fertile and improve the soil quality. Dried cow dung and a mixture of coir pith helped.
During his research on trees, Hari stumbled upon the Miyawaki Afforestation, a planting method developed by the Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.
Miyawaki method of tree plantation helps grow saplings ten times faster, and the forest is 30 times more dense than a natural one. The saplings are planted very close to each other to prevent sunlight from reaching the ground and keeping the soil moist. The plants grow vertically instead of horizontally.
These trees also absorb carbon dioxide 30 times more and have better dust reduction ability. They can make the surface area 30 times greener, as compared to a monoculture plantation.
Miyawaki method of tree plantation helps grow saplings ten times faster
With guidance from a botanist, Hari planted 400 saplings comprising flowers, fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs in three cents of his land. (One cent is equal to an area of 1/100 of an acre, or approximately 435.60 square feet)
In the last one and a half years, the height of the plants in his forest has increased to 15 feet, which is home to more than 35 insect varieties!
Since the area is dry, Hari started Rain Water Harvesting and groundwater recharge to save, store and reuse the water. He has stored around two million litres of water so far.
Image Source: Mary Samual
Maintenance is needed only in the first three years, “It will take a couple of years before the forest becomes dense and self-sufficient. Fruits, vegetables and branches are taken out regularly. On holidays, my office staff often volunteers for this activity,” says Hari.
The land that was once an arid dry patch now boasts of green creepers, climbers, shrubs, sub-trees, and trees.
Hari planted 400 saplings in three cents of land. Image Source: YouTube
Some of the traditional medicinal plants include aadalodakam (Malabar nut) changalamperanda (Adament creeper), ambazham (Indian Hog Plum), neermathalam (Garlic Pear Tree), amruthavalli (Heart-leaved Moonseed), and thaani (Bedda Nut Tree).
Seeing Hari’s success, the state government invited him to grow a forest in Kanakakkunnu Palace Grounds. In collaboration with Nature’s Green Guardians Foundation, he built a Miyawaki forest comprising around 800 saplings on five cents of land at the Grounds. The six-month-old forest has over 60 plant species.
He is also building similar forests in Peyad and Munnar. On one patch of his land in Puliyarakonam, he recently planted 400 new saplings on four cents, “I plan to turn this plot into a dense forest. In the next ten years, my forest will be as dense as a 100-year-old one,” he says.
He is roping like-minded people in the activity to spread awareness and help learn this technique.
Hari has also inspired the locals to practice Miyawaki method of afforestation, which led to around 50 people practising this technique directly or indirectly.
Image Source: Mary Samual
In Kerala, people usually buy 5-6 cents of land to construct a house. I always suggest sparing two cents to grow a Miyawaki forest. With trees covering the house, the air quality will be pure. Carbon footprints can be reduced by using less air conditioning as the house will always remain cool, adds the 53-year-old.
As per Hari, the growth rate of trees will escalate only if the saplings are planted very close to each other in the beginning. In the second year, the trees would become thick, leaving no room for new saplings.
Miyawaki method afforestration has enhanced the biodiversity
For successfully planting more than 3,000 plants in the last one year, Hari credits his family, especially his 87-year-old mother, “My interest in plants stems from her. Until recently, she used to plant trees at her home. Her ardent love for greenery is the reason why I am environmentally conscious.”
Hari has again tied up with the state government, and in their upcoming project, close to 12,000 trees will be planted in public spaces.
Located along Kerala-Tamil Nadu Border, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary has a unique landscape with an even more interesting ecosystem. Falling under the rain shadow region, it is home to a diverse mix of flora and fauna, which includes an extensive collection of medicinal plants as well as the Sanctuary’s flagship species like the grizzled giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura) and the tufted gray langur (Semnopithecus priam).
But in recent years, there has been a steady dip in the once healthy population of both terrestrial as well as arboreal species in the region, owing to roadkills from the vehicles speeding on the state highway that runs through the Sanctuary for a stretch of 15 km.
Concerned at the surge in roadkills, the Sanctuary management tried different interventions to help animals reside peacefully without being fatally affected by human intrusion.
But before that, the officials of Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) conducted a roadkill survey in Chinnar to corroborate their claims in 2013.
“We had calculated the average number of vehicles passing through the Sanctuary per month and per day for five months, which was 26,816, and 894, respectively. The survey reported over 85 roadkills, which was so shocking as it included some of the rare and endangered species like rusty spotted cat, leopard cat, slender loris, Indian porcupine, Jerdon’s Nightjar and brown fish owl,” shares PM Prabhu, the Assistant Wildlife Warden at Chinnar.
To resolve this crisis, the Sanctuary authorities installed 15 speed breakers at relevant locations despite facing opposition from local taxi drivers and even local politicians. This move, however, did little to alleviate the problem faced by the arboreal animals.
“The newly constructed speed breakers were serving a great role to rein in roadkills, especially for nocturnal (active at night) species, by controlling the speed of the vehicles in the Sanctuary. However, the problem persisted for diurnal (active during the day) arboreal animals, especially along the Chinnar-Marayoormain road, where the activities of high arboreal animals naturally occurred,” he explains.
After much deliberation, the Chinnar’s eco-development committee (EDC), forest department officials and local members of Chinnar’s and Alampetty’s tribal colonies, came up with the innovative solution of ‘canopy bridges’ for arboreal animals in 2017.
A grizzled giant squirrel crossing through Canopy bridge at Chinnar. Courtesy: PM Prabhu.A tufted gray langur using Canopy bridge at Alampetty. Courtesy: PM Prabhu.
Prabhu explains how they constructed the bridges across 19 locations. “A systematic survey of the identification of locations and preparation of canopy bridge was carried out along the road to find out the exact location where the canopy bridge or rope overpass had to be erected. We found that many locations were frequently used by the arboreal animals to cross the road,” he explains.
Each species was observed separately, and the timing and frequency were also noted. Many exclusive locations catered to certain species and so the bridges were designed accordingly to accommodate the weight of the animals. In these areas, the team identified two trees on either side of the road to fix the canopy bride across the road at sufficient height.
Using high-quality nylon ropes as the external lining, the internal section was made using 1-1.5 m bamboo sticks tied with an iron twine.
Distribution of canopy bridges across Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Courtesy: PM Prabhu.Courtesy: PM Prabhu.
“At Alampetty, we used fine mesh over the path to make them safe and more animal-friendly. Both ends of these two parallel ropes were connected to the nearest trees on both sides of the road to form an overpass bridge. All such bridges were made and installed by the Tribal trekkers EDC members of Chinnar and Alampetty with passion for animals,” Prabhu shares.
During the observation period, the authorities noticed that many members of the Tufted-gray Langur and Bonnet Macaque species were playing and shaking the canopy bridge while crossing.
Hence, the canopy bridges were prepared strong enough to overcome this issue. Also, modifications were made following frequent inspections by Prabhu and others.
As for the impact, Prabhu shares that besides providing a leeway for the arboreal animals from crossing tarred roads, these bridges have significantly brought down the roadkill mortality of these beings.
Motivated EDC members making Canopy Bridges. Courtesy: PM Prabhu.Courtesy: PM Prabhu.
“The animals have also adapted quite well to the canopy bridges, whom we have observed using the bridge from day one. Bridging the fragmented canopy with the linear construction, these serve as a continuation of the natural tree canopy and have proved effective in conserving biodiversity, especially in areas with high wildlife movement,” he concludes.
Such issues are restricted to Chinnar but almost every natural reserves and wildlife sanctuaries across the country, where human intrusion through roadways have majorly affected the local wildlife. Solutions like canopy bridges, that can help India safeguard its wildlife effectively are not just economically feasible but are also easily implemented.
Here’s a video shot by Prabhu that showcases Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and its vibrant pack of animals, birds and tribal communities at its best.
Engineering was once, and perhaps still is, the most sought after career lines in India, but you’ll all agree that in recent times, more and more people are bidding goodbye to their respectable jobs and hefty pay packages to pursue something in which they really believed.
I personally know friends and acquaintances who took up engineering under parental pressure. Though some chose to make the switch early, others didn’t have the luxury and it would take them years to finally break free.
There are engineers who became filmmakers, kick-started their own startups or pursued their love for cooking. But it takes a great deal of courage to forsake one’s four-years worth of degree (sometimes even more) and well-paying jobs to pursue something as basic as farming.
Why I would say so? Because if tomorrow I tell my parents that I’m done being a journalist and want to pursue farming, they would do their best to convince me otherwise. And I wouldn’t blame them entirely, as we know how unpredictable and risky farming can be given the sad state affairs in the agriculture sector.
Today, we bring you five stories of such remarkable engineers who quit their job to pursue organic farming and are doing exceptionally well too. Check them out!
1. Harish Dhandev, Jaisalmer
A civil engineering graduate from Arya College of Jaisalmer, Harish started working as a junior engineer in the municipal corporation in 2013. His interest in the agrarian sector began when his father decided to pursue farming on their 80-acre ancestral land after retirement and Harish would lend a hand every now and then.
During these sporadic breaks, he observed that many farmers worked hard but not smart, hence failing to achieve their best. Slowly, as time passed, Harish began feeling drawn to the idea of applying the planning and executing skills that he had learnt as an engineer, to farming. But he feared leaving his well-paying, stable government job and taking a leap into the unknown.
A few months and a life-changing incident later, Harish finally acquired the courage to quit his job and take up farming as a full-time career. He chose to grow aloe vera organically and six years later, the annual turnover of his farm ranges from Rs 1.5 crores to Rs 2 crores.
It was his grandfather’s unfulfilled desire for farming that led Sachin Kale to take up farming. In 2013, he shifted to his hometown, Medhpar to become a farmer after leaving his luxurious life in Gurgaon, where he was working as a manager for Punj Lloyd and getting a hefty salary of Rs 24 lakh per annum.
He started with paddy and seasonal vegetables
“Everything was a challenge, as I had absolutely no clue about farming. I had to learn everything from tilling the land to sowing the seeds,” he said in an earlier interview.
But his hard work, determination and skills paid off — he set up a model where his farm was useful all year round and gave maximum profit. A year later, Sachin launched his own company, Innovative Agrilife Solutions Pvt. Ltd., which helped farmers with contract farming.
Today, Sachin’s company is helping 137 happy farmers working on 200 acres of land, while drawing a turnover of approximately Rs 2 crore.
Like every other engineering graduate, Chamrajnagar native C V Srinidhi nursed the dream of clinching a job in the IT sector. But people around him advised him otherwise, given the pressure and competitiveness of the industry.
Because of this, he began contemplating a change in his vocation. Despite knowing nothing about it, farming called him.
About an acre of family property lay unused and he wondered, why not! But his family was vehemently opposed to the idea and wanted him to first make a career in his chosen field before considering farming.
But Srinidhi decided to take the plunge. Through innovative marketing strategies, he managed to overcome initial failures and emerged triumphant with his organic sugarcane and banana. His persistence paid off as he now earns in lakhs.
Growing up, Rakesh Sihag was never keen on following his father’s footsteps. He preferred securing a stable job over working in a farm, so, after passing out of high school, he moved to Ambala to pursue a diploma in Civil Engineering.
Things changed in 2016, when his family was going through financial troubles and Rakesh decided to quit his job.
To help resolve this crisis, he started a nursery with his uncle and brothers and planted close to 70,000 saplings. But, instead of opting for conventional methods of farming, he opted for Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) and multilayer farming.
Through a year of hard work and dedication, Rakesh had finally managed to earn an annual profit of Rs 40 lakh. And things are only getting better for him.
A civil engineer by profession, Bhavya often dreamt of owning a small piece of land where she and her husband could set up a farmhouse, inspired by her parents. This interest led her to make several trips to nurseries and farms with her agriculturist friends, where she found how, in many parts of Bengaluru, greens were grown using water containing toxic industrial and domestic waste.
This led her to course through an unexplored path. With ample support from her husband, she began growing organic greens in a plot she had taken on lease after many struggles.
Today, people seek Bhavya to purchase fresh and organic green leafy vegetables that she harvests an hour before delivery. Word-of-mouth worked in her favour, as she sells these greens twice a week in a residential complex and once a week in another, with her customers coordinating with her via a WhatsApp group.
Eco-conscious citizens of Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) in Tamil Nadu will now get a push from the government to take up green initiatives in their homes. The Trichy corporation is extending an encouraging hand to those citizens who have green and sustainable homes. This initiative, the corporation is confident, will motivate citizens to harvest rainwater, compost wet garbage, increase greenery in their surroundings and curb down the use of plastic.
And as compensation for undertaking green measures, citizens will be rewarded with health insurance of up to Rs 1 lakh as well as retail vouchers!
The Better India (TBI) got in touch with N Ravichandran, the Corporation Commissioner to find on how the Trichy residents are to benefit from this latest scheme.
“In my years as the Corporation Commissioner, I have realised that, in general, people are genuinely interested in taking up initiatives. What lacks is the awareness about how they can take up simple initiatives and the motivation to take them up.
If the corporation gives rewards to them for having a green home, they are sure to get involved on a much larger scale,” he said.
For Trichy, a city with a population of over 9 lakh, this isn’t the first citizen-driven or green initiative that the authorities have taken up. From having a solar-powered airport to getting ranked the most liveable city in Tamil Nadu, the ancient city has proven its eco-consciousness several times over.
And this time, the residents will have lucrative, personal advantages.
To avail the benefits, citizens have to fulfill four criteria,” Ravichandran tells us, and adds, “The points being, home composting of wet garbage, setting up a roof garden, installing a rainwater harvesting system and using minimal to zero plastic. If they have undertaken all these initiatives, they can apply to avail the benefits. One of our 100 field officers will go to 50 wards and inspect the houses. Once approved, the process of assigning them health insurance will begin.
The Trichy corporation, the official told us, has proposed to award the residents of all zero-waste homes with Rs.1 lakh Mediclaim policy. The premium for this Indian Bank Health Insurance will range from Rs.2,000 to Rs.5,000 and this will be paid by Tiruchirappalli City Corporation through CSR fund for 1 year.
In addition to this, the corporation is also giving away gift vouchers worth Rs. 1.5 lakh to the residents who fulfill all four criteria.
Courtesy: N Ravichandran.
These vouchers can be used at popular supermarkets, sweet shops and shopping malls. A discount of 5-15 per cent will be applied when the vouchers are exchanged in the specific outlets.
“This initiative has begun only last week but we have already shortlisted about 500 homes,” the 52-year-old officer says. “About 15,000 households have already started composting their garbage and our aim is to take this number further to 50,000. There is no income criteria for our scheme and anyone can avail the benefits if they fulfill the conditions. We hope that the rewards encourage more people to get on-board the eco-friendly wagon.”
The corporation’s rewards to zero-waste homes promise to encourage residents to take up green initiatives. The four-point solution aims to target four different environmental problems that can be solved at home – overflowing landfills, water waste, plastic menace, and deteriorating greenery. All four solutions can be easily implemented and the Trichy corporation hopes that the rewards become the much-needed push for citizens to undertake them.
If you wish to avail the scheme, follow this link. For further details, you can contact the corporation on 0431-2415393 or send an email to commr.trichy@tn.gov.in.
(Edited by Saiqua Sultan)
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On 20, May 2018, guests entering the house with a brown brick exterior in Peenya, Bengaluru were in for a surprise.
Though the outside temperature had touched 35 degrees, the scorching heat could not penetrate N Sridhara’s newly-built home. In fact, throughout the housewarming party, no one felt the need for either ACs or even fans, thanks to the terracotta tiles and open spaces that allowed air ventilation naturally.
Among the innumerable conversations that took place that day, the invitation card and return gifts were the highlights.
The one-of-its-kind housewarming invitation card was made entirely from recycled paper that gave information about the features of the eco-friendly house. Meanwhile, close to 500 tulsi (Basil) plants were distributed among the guests.
‘Dwarkamai’, the house that has made the lives of the family easier, cleaner, greener and more sustainable, had turned one.
‘Dwarkamai’, Sridhara’s house
Sirdhara is a Senior Scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Two decades ago, he moved to Bengaluru from his hometown Malenaadu, a lush green region in Karnataka.
While growing up, I saw trees in every corner of the town I went to. Adapting to the city life was not very easy and absence of nature was one of the many reasons. I knew the importance of environment and so I opted for a green home, Sridhara tells The Better India (TBI).
The 41-year-old scientist and his wife Gayatri took nearly six months to come up with an idea of a house that suited their lifestyle without disturbing nature.
Sridhara and his wife Gayatri
After months of research and meetings with city architects, the couple came across Biome Environmental Solutions. The design firm conceptualised the materials and designs of the house to accommodate sustainable technologies.
Home is a place where we share our happiness and make valuable memories. I believe it has to depict your life choices. My entire family is a firm believer in being in harmony with nature, he says.
For Sridhara, the intermingling of natural light and air was of utmost importance while designing the house.
Sridhara preferred the interplay of natural light and air.
We wanted plenty of air circulation and natural light. We took advantage of air flow (west to east) and chose West facing direction for the house. Our 1200 square feet house is blessed with abundant lighting, he says.
The best part of the house are the two neem trees, says Sharath Nayak who designed the house.
Sridhara was adamant about retaining the 30 feet tall trees. The building is constructed in a way that the trees can be visible from all corners of the house, he says.
Electricity needs are met with the nine solar panels installed on the roof. All electrical appliances run on solar energy, “Our metre unit is zero and we pay minimum amount for the bill. In case there is no sun, the power back up can supplement electricity requirement for 3 days.”
The waste is religiously segregated, wet garbage is converted into biogas and the manure from compost is used for gardening.
Rain Water Harvesting at Dwarkamai
The grey water generated from bathing and washing purposes, after getting recycled, waters the plants, “We are a family of four and each person flushes 5-6 times per day. Grey water can save 30 litres of fresh water per day.”
Other water saving techniques include Rain Water Harvesting (RWH). The family collects thousands of litres of water that serves the needs of the house for 200 days.
We collect rainwater and floor water in multiple tanks for our water needs. Whenever there is an overflow in the tank, it recharges the groundwater tables. We are 65 per cent dependent on the rains, he adds.
A few steps away from Dwarkamai is another eco-friendly house ‘Arnava’ built by Ananda who is also a Senior Scientist at ISRO.
Ananda, who grew up in nature’s lap in Hosanagara town, went through the same pangs of nature-withdrawal as his colleague.
‘Arnava’ built by Ananda
My life took a turn in 1998 when I got my dream job at ISRO. During my schooling days, I lived in Mandya district, a scenic place. Trees, birds and treks were my favourite part during those days, Ananda tells TBI.
At ISRO he continued his passion for trekking but the presence of nature was missing.
Ananda and his family
So, for his new house, he also approached Biome Environmental Solutions, “My wish was to wake up with the chirping of birds and build a house that left less carbon footprint.”
The house was built with the minimum concrete usage and authentic, affordable and sustainable Athangudi tiles that were imported from Chettinad.
“The tiles adjust according to the seasons, providing both coolness and warmth in the house.”
Ananda used affordable and sustainable Athangudi tiles
The house has enough open spaces to let air and light reach every corner of the house. However, it is the ‘Devasthana’ or temple that looks divine around the year.
We have built the temple that is open to the sky. The light passes through the transparent roof providing rays of sunlight, adds the 44-year-old.
The water and electricity bill has reduced significantly with installation of solar panels and RWH system. The grey water is recycled and used for watering the plants.
We have several flowering and vegetable plants. Just a few days ago we got a nutrient-rich purple brinjal. It was literally the fruit of our green efforts, he says.
Ananda and his family have also changed their consumption patterns after moving to the new house. They are giving up all plastic items gradually starting with plastic bags. Every member in the family carry a cloth bag when they step out of the house.
Like Sridhara, this family also had an eco-friendly housewarming party. The guests received seed balls of different plants as a return gift.
Expert’s Take On Eco-Friendly Houses
A majority of the people who wish for a green house fear about high maintenance and by extension, high cost of living.
When TBI directed these concerns to Ananda and Sridhara, both scientists debunked the myths.
There is no maintenance cost at all. We save money on our water and electricity bills each month. There is also no extra effort that we put in to run all sustainable technologies in the house, says Ananda.
Sharath, who has been working with the firm that has built over 700 eco-friendly houses says that it is the uncertainty among people that stops them from even making inquiries.
There are enough examples where sustainable homes are affordable and feasible. People want to do it but fail to execute it for more reasons than one. We help them fit their needs with our practical solutions, he concludes.
The aftermath of celebrations and social gatherings are a sweepers nightmare. The ground littered with torn pieces of decoration, discarded food and used cutlery is a common sight. And when there is no proper method of disposal, the waste becomes a menace.
This is exactly what has been happening for the last two years in Mangaluru, Karnataka. Waste items generated at a ground near Megha Mendon’s house oftens ends up near or in the Phalguni River (also known as Gurupura).
Plastic and glass bottles lie on the river banks unattended for days together until it is washed away by the water. I live only a few steps away from the river and it was disheartening to see the pollution destroying yet another water source, Megha tells The Better India.
Unlike most of us who ignore the mess and continue with our lives, the 23-year-old architect student decided to do something about it.
Megha Mendon
After brainstorming several ideas to clear the discarded bottles without harming the environment, Megha zeroed on using her painting skills to her advantage.
Megha, who has participated in beach cleanup drives in the past, walked up to the river one day, collected glass bottles and brought them home.
Megha upcycles waste bottles into decorative pieces
Instead of painting on canvas, I painted on a glass bottle and the end result turned out to be fine. So I continued beautifying the bottles and even shared the idea with my neighbours and friends, she says.
The striking art pieces installed at Megha’s house soon caught people’s attention including of renowned artist Dinesh Holla. The artist is best known for his artwork that was selected as the official poster of Dieppe Kite Festival in France.
“Dinesh encouraged me to organise an exhibition for people and spread the creative message of conserving the environment. I made an informal announcement in my locality about a workshop,” says Megha.
The word got around quickly and around 30 people turned up for the free workshop that lasted for five days in May this year.
Megha organised a free workshop on upcycling bottles to spread awareness
The objective was not only to teach people about managing waste but also empower them to come up with alternate solutions.
People from all age groups and professions attended the workshop and they actively upcycled their waste bottles into decorative items.
Through the workshop, Megha also ensured that the garbage items are made worthy enough for people to continue the upcycling activity. At the end of the workshop, she organised a public exhibition of hundreds of bottles that were turned into artwork.
A public exhibition of hundreds of bottles that were turned into artwork was organised
Close to 500 bottles were given a new lease of life and almost all of them were sold in the exhibition. The bottles were categorised into three categories – with LED lights, without lights and embossed art, says Megha.
After receiving an overwhelming response for the workshop and exhibition from the people, Megha plans to continue her tryst with the workshops and engage more number of people in such DIY activities.
Megha has been instrumental in preventing 900 bottles from entering the river
Megha has so far, since 2017, been instrumental in preventing 900 bottles from entering the river either by upcycling it on her own or by inspiring others to do so.
If you are inspired from Megha’s efforts for a sustainable environment, she recommends these five easy DIY steps to give a creative spin to the bottles:
Step 1: Collect the bottles, clean them and remove the stickers on them.
Step 2: For the background colour, apply three layers of the paint. This ensures that colour doesn’t become dull and glass is not visible. It will also give a different texture to the bottle.
Step 3: Designing. Choose what you want to paint on the bottle.
Step 4: Apply a chemical coat or a Varnish paint (Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective finish or film) to ensure that paint doesn’t wear off. Varnish paint is easily available in Hardware shops. Megha recommends applying varnish once every year for best results.
Step 5: Insert LED lights and turn your decorative item into a light lamp.
“I have been passionate about gardening since childhood. In the past six decades that I have lived in Bengaluru, working as an engineer, I managed to build a terrace garden from scratch and maintain it. But after retirement, I knew that I needed more. It was a dream to move to Mysuru, a cleaner and less congested city, and that came true in March 2018,” said Harish, while speaking to The Better India (TBI).
The overwhelming traffic and pollution were a few other reasons for his migration. “We wanted to live a toxin-free life and help others do that as well. So it was decided that we will move to a place with cleaner air and grow our food organically,” he adds.
As a result, after moving in 2018, they decided to utilise thousands of acres of land near Mysore Ring Road, to build their dream garden.
In the next nine months, with the help of relatives and friends, Harish and his wife managed to transform 14,000 acres of land into a fully-organic farm that boasts over 300 varieties of fruits, herbs, vegetables and flowers.
“I have had some experience with on-ground and terrace gardening, but working on such a big land is a different ball-game altogether. So we reached out for help and hired a full-time gardener and slowly began the work in January 2019,” he shares.
Parallel to the preparation of the soil, a green living fence was also created with vine-based vegetables like double beans, broad beans, pumpkins and passion fruits planted along its length.
To keep things in order, the huge farm has been divided into parts.
The outer circle has around fifty drumstick tree saplings along with twenty-five flax tree saplings, while the inner circle is surrounded by fencing and a row of tree saplings planted on all four sides including mango, five varieties of jackfruit, pomegranate, avocado, sapota, different types of citrus plants, water apple, rose apple, nutmeg, cinnamon, fig, custard apple, five varieties of guava, coconut, and neem.
“We are also growing around 50 varieties of cashew nuts on either side of the garden entrance. We have tried to stretch and grow as many varieties of plants as possible, thus enhancing the biodiversity of the place,” he says.
After almost six months of hard work, Harish now grows 300 varieties of plant species that include vegetables, fruits, herbs, greens and flowers. One hundred varieties out of these have harvested half a ton of produce so far, he added.
A passionate gardener with substantial experience, Harish uses home-made organic traditional fertilisers to nourish his plants. “We make our own Panchagavya and Jeevamrutha at the garden and are regularly feeding organic matter in the form of dry leaves, cow dung, plant and vegetable waste etc.
A garden full of different types of earthworms which will convert organic and biodegradable waste to vermicompost makes the soil healthier.
He adds that to improve soil quality and reduce weed growth, he grows Amaranth plant at the base of each plant as a way of natural live mulching. “Not only does it protect the tree saplings from heat and weeds, but also produces two sacks full of edible greens high in nutritional value, every single day. We send this harvest to a nearby hostel mess for students, free of cost,” Harish says.
However, the garden is not the only project Harish has his hands on. In his efforts to make Mysuru greener than ever, he also volunteered to work on 1.25 acres of public park and the common area of a complex close to his farm where he hopes to grow 300 trees and has managed to plant around 50 till now. But, that’s not it. Taking his efforts a notch higher, he also planted some 60 trees in the area and hopes to increase it in the coming years.
“What’s the point of growing an exclusive green haven when the world around you can be rotting in pollution. It’s a chain effect, and I am doing whatever I can to improve the situation,” says Harish, who spent almost seven lakhs in these past months to make the area green.
Open to all, his garden stands as a stellar example of individualistic efforts reaping the collective benefit.
For instance, the produce harvested from the garden is much more than Harish and his wife can consume, and so he gives away the surplus to people in his housing complex or beyond.
“It was not meant for commercial purposes, and so I distribute the extra for free. But recently, people have been asking me to attach a price tag so that the room for hesitation on asking more is eliminated and they get to buy as needed. So now, based on the benchmark on rates charged by online grocery portals, I set a nominal cost for the items,” he said.
He believes that while efforts can be at the individual level, outcomes should be for the collective.
“We wanted to do our little bit for society and nature. If each one of us thinks like that and begins to do their smallest bit, it would have a larger cumulative impact in creating a healthier and greener India in the future,” he concludes.
One doesn’t have to be a scientist to comprehend the detrimental effects of plastic on the planet.
According to estimates, at this point, there is so much of it being dumped into our water systems every single day that there will be more plastic in oceans and seas than fish by 2025.
When KV Priyesh, a fisherman living by the Chombala Harbour in Kozhikode district of Kerala, came across this information on Facebook, he was rather disturbed.
“The sea is my home. How would you feel if everyone is trashing your home and there is so much garbage that you can’t breathe? That is perhaps how the creatures in the ocean feel,” says the 30-year-old to The Better India.
“While most people think that the waste can be found largely along the shores, the reality is that one can find it in the deeper parts of the ocean as well. It’s not just tourists or passengers cruising on ferries; even fishermen are guilty of throwing plastic bottles that they carry with them to the sea,” he adds.
Priyesh shares that he is not very educated. He had to leave school after class 10, owing to financial difficulties at home.
But even so, he has always been aware of the harmful effects of plastic waste.
Priyesh.
However, the true extent of the damage became apparent to him when he started finding plastic waste much deeper in the sea. And after that Facebook post, he made up his mind to collect any trash that he would come across while fishing.
“For doing so, people have made fun of me to the extent of even labelling me mad,” he adds.
Though the ridicule and public apathy affect him at times, Priyesh is relentless. For he feels that, even if one person is inspired by what he does and partakes in the same in their area, it would perhaps lead to a chain reaction.
Priyesh’s anti-plastic crusade stretched for over a month in 2019, but he soon realised that the scale of plastic waste was much more than what a single person could handle.
So, he decided to approach the Azhiyoor grama panchayat for help.
“They appreciated the work that I’d done and decided to launch an anti-plastic mission in the ward and include me in all the major discussions. In normal circumstances, I’d have to dedicate an entire hour to find plastic waste in between my fishing hours. Under this initiative, we decided to split the collection drive in a phased manner, under which three-four hours would be dedicated exclusively,” he adds.
But before that the GP officials went around the town, raising awareness on plastic and its detrimental effects on the environment.
The households were told about waste segregation and particularly warned against burning plastic waste, a practice rather common across the state.
“The people were told that if anyone is reported or caught doing so, they would be heavily penalised. The panchayat now also own a plastic shredding unit and have employed a group named Haritha Karma Sena that collects plastic waste from door to door. I’ve also been sending all the plastic waste that I’ve collected so far, to them,” he adds.
T Shahul Hameed, the panchayat secretary, shares more information about the first phase of the cleaning operation.
“The event was inaugurated by panchayat president, Reena Rayaroth. The workforce that was led by Priyesh included panchayat members, local health inspectors, youth coordinators, Haritha Karma Sena workers and ASHA workers. But the most interesting aspect was that many people from Russia, Romania, the Netherlands and even Australia, who had come to seek ayurvedic treatment joined us in our crusade. While a 5 km stretch of the coastline was scouted for plastic waste, Priyesh foraged for plastic about 2 km into the sea,” he says.
In total, this team has managed to collect about 13.5 tonnes of plastic waste as well as ten loads of liquor bottles from both the shoreline as well as the sea.
“If a fishing net can catch about 50 kg of fish, there is roughly about 13 kg of plastic in the same load. That is the amount of plastic waste floating about in the sea,” adds Hameed.
At present, Priyesh has put a halt on his fishing activities, and the anti-plastic crusade. He has been personally inducted by the Kozhikode District Magistrate in the rescue team deployed during the trawling ban that commences during the monsoon in Kerala.
Besides his constant efforts to prevent plastic penetration into the sea, Priyesh has also been involved in humanitarian work during natural disasters like the Ockhi cyclone in 2017, and the Kerala floods last year.
After receiving details from the Coast Guard, he set out in his boat and helped in recovering dead bodies floating along the coastline, when no one else was willing to go or even claim the deceased.
Also, he was one of the fishermen, who had helped rescue and rehabilitate stranded people in Chalakudy during the devastating floods that ravaged the state last year.
Priyesh states that though he doesn’t know how long would the trawling duty last, he plans on getting back to his anti-plastic work as soon as the ban period commences.
He also thanks the Azhiyoor panchayat officials for their receptive attitude and support to his mission.
“I’m proud of our panchayat, as it is rather progressive and willing to work on environment-centric ideas proposed by common people like me. This anti-plastic crusade is just one among the many interventions that the body has initiated,” he adds.
On a closing note, Priyesh adds that as he never got the opportunity to study further, he still has the desire to study.
“This will not be an academic pursuit; I only want to study so that I become more aware of the environment and different crises plaguing it. I want to become more aware and informed in my fight for the environment,” he concludes.
It is silent crusaders like KV Priyesh who are the true heroes of the environment, often neglected and sidelined by society.
We at The Better India, thank not just this fisherman from a little town from the coasts of Kerala, but also the functionaries Azhiyoor panchayat and Haritha Karma Sena, for their invaluable contribution towards the planet.
One of the most versatile and widely used consumer materials, demand for paper has exponentially increased over the years, along with the nonchalance towards its use.
Be it old newspapers, packaging material, tissue paper or scrap printed sheets, how many times have we crumbled a piece of paper and tossed it into the garbage bin without a second thought?
To put things in perspective, 24 full grown trees meet their end to make a ton of paper.
If we dig deeper, we will find studies stating that of the 3.04 trillion trees in the world, nearly 15.3 billion of them are cut every year all across the globe for various reasons, making paper being one of them. When compared with the ever increasing demand for paper in India growing annually at 6.7 per cent and expected to touch 20.8 million tonnes by the next fiscal year, the situation emerges to be more frightening than ever.
However, like most problems, the solution is rather simple. An attitude change, some supplies and 10 simple ways can actually help you reduce paper consumption and save the planet while at home or at work!
A misprint here and a silly error there, and one doesn’t think twice before tearing the sheet apart and throwing it into the bin fuming with frustration. It is easy to get rid of things than to fix them. We ask you to do the latter.
Every week a single household uses up tons of paper sheets that can be stored for reuse or can be recycled. And, this journey begins with a single thought. Ideas of alternate use are just around the corner, and all you need is to invest in a few seconds.
A misprint here and a silly error there, and one doesn’t think twice before tearing the sheet apart and throwing it into the bin with fuming frustration.
It is easy to get rid of things than to face and change it. We ask you to do the latter.
Every week a single household uses up tons of paper sheets which can be stored for reuse or recycling, instead of becoming waste. And, the journey to do so begins with a single moment of thought.
Ideas of alternate use is just around the corner, all you need is to invest a second.
One of the simple ways to reuse paper and reduce the demand for virgin paper is by turning them into notebooks.
Instead of throwing that piece of paper because of an error, you can store them along with scrap printing sheets and bind them together into a notebook to utilise the remaining writing space for your grocery list or reminders.
Further, when looking for new notebooks, you can also opt for those made of recycled paper, like these.
3. Responsible printing
It is a common workplace indulgence to push the buttons for a print out that would be discarded the next moment. Before your fingers push print, you should ask yourself whether you really need to print this. With technology providing so many alternatives to using paper, choosing soft copies of documents can be a good way to tackle the situation.
However, if printing is necessary then make sure you do so efficiently. You can cut down on paper consumption by half if you make double-sided prints a default action.
Also, in case you are printing documents for personal use, reusing discarded sheets is another way to reduce the use of paper.
Most households have a corner of the storeroom dedicated to dump newspapers. While some people have already adapted to electronic media to get their daily dose of world affairs, many still prefer to turn the pages every morning with a cup of tea or coffee.
For the latter, the old newspapers gathering dust can turn into valuable raw material for items of utility or home decor.
One such item is an upcycled dustbin made with perfectly woven strips of old newspapers. Use these handcrafted bins made of recycled paper as baskets for laundry, toys, planters, and magazines, among others.
Being frugal is the new green kid on the block! Many may turn up their noses at a simple and less extravagant living, for a sustainable planet-friendly living, less indeed goes a long way.
From reusing the blank pages of an old notebook to recycling grocery paper bags and packaging, paper’s versatile nature makes it a cheap and sustainable answer to various regular needs.
For instance, you can transform brown grocery paper bags into storage bins, for collecting dry waste, wrapping paper or even pretty planters.
6. Of recycled paper and dolls
With scrap paper, discarded newspapers and the right supplies, you can unleash the artist within you.
From baskets, lanterns to tribal dolls, paper once bent, sealed and painted in the right way can yield beautiful results. A stellar example of this is Nashik-based Meena Patankar who has been creating breathtaking pieces out of waste paper for almost a decade now.
“I started looking up on the Internet, and came across numerous videos where people have used newspapers to make brilliant craftwork. Some explained very efficiently how they did it while many others didn’t and I started exploring different techniques myself,” she says setting a positive example for us.
While festivals and special occasions are all about merriment and excess, it’s important to take a step back and reconsider how you celebrate. Decoration paper, paper utensils, wrapping sheets are some of the most common paper wastes generated during celebrations.
But with a little imagination and good intentions, you can transform all that trash into valuable output that can make the occasion even more special. One way to do so is to shop responsibly and give away gifts made of recycled items like recycled paper frames, notebooks, bags, and jewelry among others.
Once the presents are in place, it’s also important to be wary of how you wrap it all. Instead of using flashy wrapping sheets of plastic or paper, you can reuse old newspapers or recycled gift wrappers to give them a rustic as well as a sustainable touch!
You can get some recycled gift wrapping papers here.
8. Pencils made of paper
I remember my elders insisting upon writing with pencils as a means to improve my handwriting as well as reducing the use of paper. Though it may not be for official uses but gifting pencils made of upcycled paper to your little ones or making them part of a set as a return gift will not only send out a great message but also be a fun way of being eco-conscious!
Earn extra brownie points and reduce the use of paper by switching from regular pencils to those made of paper and help save the 8 million trees that are annually cut down to make pencils!
A major part of paper waste constitutes its use for cleaning purposes. Even a small piece of tissue that ends up in the trash bin after a single wipe is a cause for concern. Instead, replacing these products with cloth napkins or rags can be both sustainable, cost-effective and eco-sensitive.
However, old newspapers or carry bags can also be utilised for the same cleaning purposes without contributing to the overwhelming demand for virgin paper products.
Many of us have books and magazines that have been read and re-read so many times that they now hold less or no value to us. But, that doesn’t mean that they cease to be useful for someone else.
So, instead of throwing away old books or selling them to a scrap collector, you can donate them to hospitals, schools, orphanages, retirement homes or health clinics. You can find readers for your old books anywhere.
A cluster of bricks and wood arranged symmetrically and sealed into four strong walls with a roof on top, is not a home. It’s a house.
A home, on the other hand, is a reservoir of memories safely sealed within those walls. And, the Raghavans wanted to preserve just that and much more.
So when the cracks and wrinkles began to show on the walls, the family was caught in a dilemma. They did not want a complete makeover, a space devoid of a sense of nostalgia. They wanted to embrace the new while preserving the old just not in spirit but in substance too.
Thus began their journey with Sharath R Nayak, an architect at Biome Environmental Solutions, a Bengaluru-based design firm which specialises in creating ecologically sensitive and sustainable spaces.
Together, they designed a new home, that was to be built using most of the construction material from its predecessor. In other words, the project did not involve demolishing the old structure, but dismantling it, so that it could be used for the new house.
“Had it not been for the structural damages, we would not have dismantled the old house at all. When the time came to finally do it, we knew that it had to be in a way that reduced our carbon footprints to the maximum extent possible. Reusing the materials in construction should be a norm and not an exception,” says Shobha Raghavan, one of the daughters of Wing Commander MN Raghavan (retd), who inherited the house from him.
Located at the heart of Bengaluru, the house was spread across an area of 3500 square ft, which was a result of several extensions over time, to suit the needs of the family.
In the process, it had deteriorated, with symptoms of cracks, dampness and leakage surfacing now and then.
“The subsequent additions had reduced light and ventilation in the house, and multiple levels made it difficult for the elderly. The house didn’t suit the current lifestyle of the family, so they decided to build a new one in its place. But, they were also very sensitive to the fact that demolition would generate debris and wanted to reuse as much of the material from the old house as possible. This meant that the house would need to be dismantled, not demolished. The materials were then segregated and reused,” explains the architect, Sharath.
Taking it as a welcome challenge, Sharath, along with a design team, structural engineers and contractors, began the work.
The process of re-creation
From bricks from the old walls to concrete and even windows and doors, the design seamlessly utilised the remnants of the old house into the new.
But, the first step to do so was to have a strong foundation.
“When the old house was dismantled, the soil was found to be weak and low in bearing capacity. So to strengthen the base sustainably and economically, we decided to dig up wells and fill it up with the demolished concrete that was segregated and processed from the debris,” he informs us.
With the foundation in place, creating the walls was the next step.
“In a project like this, flexible planning works as you have to keep thinking and improvising on the go. So, for the walls, we decided on two approaches. One part was built using stones from the old foundation, and another part was built by plastering the old bricks. Brick walls in the old structure had been built with lime mortar, and easy to dismantle and reuse. Also, we reused granite slabs found in the old house to create staircase treads,” he says.
Even the doors and the windows from the previous structure, which were mostly made of high-quality teak wood, were repurposed.
“We made sure that all of it was first checked for quality and durability. Once that was ticked off, we proceeded to transform the shorter doors into windows that gave the entire design a better look and ventilation. For the doors, however, we combined the leftover wood with new teak wood,” Sharath adds.
“Rapid urban expansion is taking a toll on our natural resources. These skewed notions of development floated by glamorous campaigns that make us believe that progress means a mindless increase in infrastructure, without a thought to the environment, is completely flawed. Each one of us needs to get closer to nature and understand that we can’t survive if we deplete natural resources,” adds Shobha, who is a forest rights activist by passion and profession.
Nostalgia served in a new box
Like every home, this one too, came with its own set of quirks.
Decorated with 1920s furniture and surrounded by tall silver oak trees, the place, Shobha says reflects the kind of people they are.
“Our house has always been a place where friends and relatives have gathered for celebrations and get-togethers. My grandmother was known for her generosity, especially in the matter of food. The passion for hosting people and enjoying the small joys in life over simple and elaborate meals continues till today. While the members of the family do like spending time with each other, we all have our own independent lives, and the architecture of the house now reflects this. The ground floor, as well as the first floor of the house, comprise two sections, which can be kept open or completely independent of each other, depending on the privacy needs,” she says.
The house is not just surrounded by greenery, but also has an open to sky internal courtyard- which allows the family to experience the green outside while staying within their private space.
“This does mean that rain splashes onto the living rooms in the house, but that hardly bothers us as we love looking at and smelling the rain even while staying indoors,” she adds.
Sharath adds that the design for the mutram or open-to-sky courtyard at the heart of the house was inspired by well-ventilated houses in rural Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
He explains how the design reflects the family’s idea to maintain a balance between the public and private.
“The new design has two levels of 1700 sq ft, housing four units, each of which has its own kitchen, living and dining spaces. Traditional elements such as the ‘tinnai’ (raised platform marking the entrance of the house) and the ‘mutram’ have been integrated into the house as desired by the family. The courtyard is the focal point of each unit, providing light and ventilation to the living spaces that encompass it” he says.
The inspiration for the tinnai, Shobha adds goes back into her childhood, when her grandfather hosted scores of people in their ancestral home in Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli.
‘A happy place where any traveller could stop by for a chat’ was what came to her mind when imagining such a space in the new house. And, the leftover granite stone unearthed from the foundation of the old house, was a perfect fit for cosy stone tinnai (porch/patio).
But like most unique projects, this one was also not devoid of challenges.
“Costs and time delays, owing to procedural delays, was the main challenge. The red oxide flooring was hard to get done, with a shortage of skilled persons who could give it the required finish. Our standards were, of course, set high, given that we used to live in a 100-year-old house in the same location. The floors in that house were amazing, and we miss that. My grandmother used to tell us stories of how the red oxide floors used to be painstakingly polished manually for days on end, in the olden days. It’s a skill that is slowly dying. However, we are happy that we have tried recreating it to the maximum extent possible,” recalls Shobha.
Sharath adds that its high time such a unique project becomes mainstream.
“Although we had to go the extra mile, it was worth it. The project taught us how to create high-quality structures we do not need to go looking for virgin material. Old structures are our untapped resource, and more architects and architecture institutes should look into reusing them sustainability. Sustainable architecture should not be ‘unique’ anymore; it is the need of the hour!” he says.
After months of hard work, the project was finally complete in 2014 and emerged to be the perfect blend of the past, the present and the future!
“Our home doesn’t look shiny and new. We didn’t buy new furniture or splurge on decorating the house. It remains cosy, friendly, and a place that reminds us of my grandmother—simple and playful. A section of the top floor remains a place for creative pursuits like using theatre for talking about issues of social change and human rights. It doubles as my workspace as well as a place where friends can stay over or have a small get-together or celebrations,” she concludes.
About five years ago, Aarushi Majumder, who was a 13-year-old at the time, decided to start teaching underprivileged children in Mumbai’s Dharavi locality.
With absolute passion and dedication, the teenager would conduct classes, ensuring personal attention to each one of her young students.
But soon, she realised that some of her students were skipping class. While she was willing to overlook occasional absenteeism, it started to happen regularly enough for her to inquire about the reason.
As it turns out, the kids were falling seriously ill.
“I learned that they spent most of their days collecting waste and working in landfills and the pollution there was affecting their health.
Aarushi sits on a desk made of Tetra Pak cartons.
Mumbai is amongst the most polluted cities in the world because of the unmitigated piles of garbage that arrive at the local landfills daily, and these children were subject to the consequences. It was heartbreaking,” Aarushi says in a conversation with The Better India.
Back in 2013, about 9,400 tonnes of garbage, most of it unsegregated and non-recyclable, would end up in Mumbai’s landfills every day, and the burden of it rested on the weak shoulders of the kids from Dharavi.
Troubled by these facts, she decided that she wanted to make a dent in the way the 21+ million people of Mumbai discarded their garbage.
“I took the first step to reduce the amount of waste my family produced by segregating the garbage produced at home. I recycled dry waste, reused what I could, and began composting biodegradable waste. Seven weeks later, not only did I have fertile soil for my plants but had also managed to reduce the garbage output by 80%,” she says.
“This boosted my confidence, so I drew up a standardised waste management plan to present to the Chairman of my apartment complex,” she adds.
Her approach had to ensure that the wet waste was being utilised sustainably and at the same time, reduce the dry garbage from going to the landfill.
Picture courtesy: Aarushi Majumder.
As is usually the case with taking up a community initiative, Aarushi began with creating awareness about the consequences of letting unsegregated waste outside the society and presenting her plans, simple and easily applicable, to the adults of the society.
Colour-coded bins were introduced in the housing society and everyone, including the domestic staff, were trained to segregate waste.
A positive and negative reinforcement mini-programme was also introduced where the society members were added in a social media group, and their actions in terms of segregation or failure thereof were commented on my other members.
“We also taught all the domestic staff in our building how to recycle. I took the initiative of monitoring the compost closely, checking its temperature and pH twice a week. And soon, we successfully reduced the amount of waste that was sent to the dumps. In just four months, the 7 tonnes of monthly waste that we were sending out to landfills was reduced to 1.5 tonnes. We also introduced incentives for in-house staff who were involved in waste management using funds that we generated through selling excess compost outside,” the teen tells us.
If wet garbage was turned into compost, it was only fair to plant a garden which makes optimum use of it.
And so, for the benefit of the residents, the society now grows organic vegetables like coriander, chillies, lemongrass, radish, spinach, and tomatoes.
Composting bins at the South Mumbai society.
After successfully taking care of wet garbage, Aarushi’s next plan was to reduce the dry waste. Packaging boxes were a significant part of this problem, but Aarushi soon hit upon a solution.
The Tetra Pak cartons and cardboard boxes could be upcycled into beautiful benches, desks and stationery items, and the latter could be donated to underprivileged students, like the ones Aarushi taught, and still teaches.
“Tetra Pak cartons are sent to the recycling plant where the paper is separated from polyethene and aluminium via the hydra pulping process and then converted into many useful products including benches, desks, stationery, among others.
With 6500 Tetra Pak cartons, one can either win a recycled garden bench for the society or donate a desk to an underprivileged school. (There is no monetary cost for the benches and desks),” she explains.
An upcycled bench.
In addition to donating desks to the underprivileged students, Aarushi has also been organising fundraising events since 2017 in her society to aid their education. In the past three years, she has raised approximately Rs 12 lakh.
“Children from my building put on a performance and we call Dharavi Rocks (a band of children from Dharavi) to perform as well. The money collected is donated the amount to the Acorn Foundation where I teach, and is used to provide after class meals, thus incentivising children (and especially girls) to attend classes,” she says.
Over the years, the now 18-year-old succeeded in helping her society recycle about 80% of her waste.
It is but a drop in the ocean of garbage that terrorises Mumbai, but it is the right step in a more eco-friendly direction. The success of Aarushi’s initiative shows that even an individual effort can be enough to make an impact in the long run.
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)
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A resident of the Thiruveedhi Amman Koil Street, K L Bala, recalls how his friend and secretary of the residents’ welfare association in the area, knocked on every door in the locality. It was a combination of flats and individual homes in Chennai’s R K Nagar, which houses 80 families. He mobilised them to step out, greet each other and break the ice.
“Prior to this, people and their lives were restricted to the four walls of their own homes. Many who had lived there for the better part of their lives were clueless about their neighbours! So, we all got together and held several meetings. We decided to identify priority issues for our street and work on the solutions together,” he tells The Better India.
The issues were many—innumerable automobile shops turning the street into a repair hub; visitors parking their vehicles without permits for endless hours; a broken platform that was poorly maintained; strewn garbage and open defecation—the same as any other urban colony.
And so, the residents came together to bring about change and reclaim their street.
The reclaimed street by TAKSRA
Cut to 2019, the Thiruveedhi Amman Koil Street Residents Association (TAKSRA), was recognised by the State Government for its many environmentally-conscious initiatives. It bagged the Pollution Control Board’s Green Award, presented by Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi Palaniswamy.
Every home on the street segregates its waste. While their wet waste is processed into compost every quarter, plastic waste is collected and recycled.
Generating more than 12,000 kg of manure annually, the society has not only managed to get rid of the abandoned vehicles that encroached its street but has now converted the stretch into a blooming garden which has a combination of flowering potted plants, lush trees, and intricate creepers. An old school compound was being treated as an open defecation spot, was reclaimed and painted with colourful art and portraits of inspiring personalities.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Apart from having rainwater harvesting in each of its buildings, TAKSRA also created a recharge well for water conservation. It follows drip-irrigation for its street garden and is now working on implementing grey water recycling soon.
The Better India caught up with one of its active members, K L Bala to know how these 80 households got together to create a sustainable street and move one step towards a greener tomorrow.
Painting the walls
“We started slowly. One of the major issues was the vehicles. So we worked with the traffic department and put up no-parking boards on one side of the street and created parking space for residents on the other side. Then, also educated those who had encroached the space. After sustained efforts, we were able to clean it with a group of 30 volunteers. We also fixed a broken platform with the help of the corporation and revived the sidewalk by planting an array of herbs, flowering plants, and creepers.”
The society’s next step was to adopt a bin-less model and send as little waste to the dump yard as possible. One of the first steps towards this was to adopt waste segregation in every household. They also set up common compost pits for all the dwellings to process wet waste (vegetable waste, dry leaves, flower waste, etc.).
Following a three-month composting cycle, the association generates 300 kg of compost per cycle which, when multiplied by ten buildings, is 3,000 kg. In a year, the total manure produced comes up to a whopping 12,000 kg!
A major part of this manure is used for the street garden, and the excess is sent to the corporation’s dry leaf composting unit at a park in the vicinity.
The street garden is a unique space. The residents have innovated by using recycled tyres as pots by painting them, as repainted tyres do not attract mosquitoes.
Flower waste being added to the pit
Another addition is that of a gardener, specifically employed to promptly water, manure and trim plants in the street garden. To ensure water efficiency, a drip irrigation system is used for the street garden. Connected with multiple buildings through pipe connections, the building that has surplus water facilitates the process.
The society also generates 20-30 kg of plastic waste per week. It has collaborated with Kabadiwalla Connect to set up a bin where all the residents collect their plastic waste and send it for recycling. It is also now working on awareness drives to reduce plastic usage.
What has been the net result of this initiative? Three bins on the street have been removed. The space that was once consumed by big community bins, now has blooming flowers and creepers. Apart from its biomedical waste, the society has cut down the waste it sends to landfills.
Additionally, they fixed streetlights and set up CCTV cameras, along with a police booth.
“More residents are making use of the street as a walking space now. They also make it a car-free zone on Sundays to allow the kids more space to play,” says Bala.
Once every quarter, TAKSRA holds an e-waste collection drive. It attracts residents as well as people from areas as far as T Nagar and Adyar. This is done in collaboration with Chennai-based WasteWinn, a company that offers zero-waste solutions. Once the collection bin is full, the e-waste is transported to a Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB)-approved dismantling unit in Porur, called Tritech Systems.
Torchbearers of change
Using recycled tyres at pots
“Our street has become a role model, and we are now helping others adopt it. We are a part of the larger colony called R K Nagar, so we have now mobilised people to form 4-5 such groups on different streets. The change reflects in the fact that they now want to compete with us. We are coordinating with resident associations on the ward and zonal levels. Secretaries of the respective association and government officials are added to a WhatsApp group where we share the best practices and issues for quick redressal.”
TAKSRA also worked with the traffic department and other non-profit organisations to transform Sringeri Mutt Road. Once known for road safety issues, a den for illegal activities, open defecation and unsafe, it has now transformed into a pedestrian-friendly street.
Vision for the future
Sringeri Mutt Road transformed
A few other projects in the pipeline include grey water recycling to water the garden. While the model is on the verge of completion in Bala’s building, it will soon be replicated for other dwellings.
They are also exploring the use of solar energy for street lights and lighting up common spaces within the buildings.
When asked about winning the Green Award, Bala beams, “One of the reasons we won the CM’s award was that we voluntarily formed a group to adopt a sustainable model, although we were not a gated community, with the power to enforce rules. We are constantly on the lookout of newer innovations. People, as well as associations, refer to TAKSRA as the best model, and we aim to live up to that expectation.”
He signs off, “Our next plan is to invite more birds into our neighbourhood and make it more lively. We are experimenting with different species of plants to attract them.”
A report by the Indian Institute of Science states that the green cover in Bengaluru has reduced by 88 per cent from 1973 to 2017.
According to The News Minute, is likely to reduce further to 2.96 per cent as the Bengaluru Development Authority has not planted trees in the last two years.
On the one hand, there are regions like Bengaluru that are blessed with abundant rainfall and fertile land, but their green cover remains neglected.
On the other hand, are areas like Vijayapura district, also in Karnataka, that receive rainfall only for 10-20 days and yet, its residents strive to make the most of it.
Realising the importance of water, district authorities in the Karnataka Forest Department, Vijayapura Division, are taking full advantage of the rainfall to grow trees.
Vijayapura has a semi-arid climate, and the combination of high temperatures and dry spells is an important reason why reasons why planting trees and then sustaining them, becomes a daunting task.
However, the situation has dramatically improved compared to what it was a decade ago. Today, even the locals are surprised to see thousands of plants flourishing.
The change can be attributed to the Forest Department and in particular range officer Santosh Ajur.
Speaking to The Better India, Ajur says:
Taking into consideration our situation, we are majorly focussing on the quality of the trees than quantity. The entire purpose of tree plantation will be defeated if the trees cannot be sustained even for a year, and this was something that was happening until recently. For the last couple of years, we have been focussing in increasing the survival rate to 100 per cent.
Growing Plants Amidst A Drought
Since most of the parts in the district are dry zones, the total notified forest area (both reserved and protected) is only 1,800 hectares. Of the total hectares, some parts in Basavana Bagewadi taluk are released for the Upper Krishna Project (an irrigation project across the Krishna River to provide irrigation to the drought-prone areas).
However, the area was not denotified and continues to be under the forest cover. Thus, the total forest cover is actually lesser than the official figures.
The green mission was started by conducting a thorough study of the rainfall patterns, plant varieties, natural water resources.
Forest Range Officer Santosh Ajur
Earlier, the saplings planted, were short in size with hardly any provisions for watering the plants. We ditched the conventional method of planting trees by sowing seeds alongside the roads. Instead, saplings were first planted in the nursery and allowed to grow 8-9 feet. These tall saplings were then planted alongside the roads, says Ajur.
Additionally, a technique known as “Hardening off” was adopted for the trees.
This is a process which takes about 2-3 weeks and involves moving plants outdoors for a portion of the day to gradually introduce them to the direct sunlight, dry air, and cold nights.
During daylight hours, the plants are left outside and in an area where they can be protected under the shade, and are brought back indoors during the night. The number of hours they stay outdoors is gradually increased each day until they naturally acclimate to the changing weather.
From 2012-16, this process was used in Indi and Muddebihal taluks, to plant 1.5 lakh seedlings of species like Honge, ficus, peepal and neem on the roadside, in educational institutions, ashrams, and crematoriums.
They were monitored carefully, thanks to which 75 per cent of them survived.
Using the same technique, Santosh and his team aim to plant around 25,000 trees this year.
As for watering the plants, the forest department gets tankers as borewells, and groundwater resources have dried up. The water is taken from open wells near Krishna backwaters.
In the first year, plants are watered for six days in a week, which is reduced to two in the second year. The plants are not watered at all in the third year as by then the hardy plants can survive on their own.
The department is also encouraging people to construct farm ponds, known as Krishi Hondas under the Krishi Bhagya Scheme. The scheme gives grants to dry-land farmers for building ponds to conserve rainwater.
Government Schemes Being Used To Increase Green Cover
We have been facing drought since the last 12 years, and the only way to increase the green cover is to include all stakeholders in the mission. Thus, we have been collaborating with the farmers, NGOs, schools and locals by giving them various incentives and seeds at subsidised rates, says Sareena, Deputy Conservator of Karnataka Forest Department (Vijapura division) to The Better India.
Under the Krishi Aranya Protsaha Yojane, the farmers, public and NGOs may obtain the seedlings at subsidised rates at the nearest nurseries of the department and incentives are given to farmers to encourage them to grow native tree species on their lands.
The department will provide Rs 100 per plant if it survives for three years. 70 farmers are currently using this scheme in the district.
Under another scheme, MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) are directed to purchase 1,000 seedlings and plant in their respective areas. All the 219 GPs in the district are utilising this scheme.
The Forest Department is also ensuring that awareness on tree and water conservation by giving mud, water and seeds to the school children. Every year, all the school children are expected to dedicate one day in June to make seed balls.
Combining all the schemes, the department has, this year, distributed 13 lakh seeds to people of which 3 lakh have already been planted.
In conclusion, it would be fair to say that the problem of green spaces turning into grey is prevalent all across the country. This is why green-planning approaches like these can help to transform areas into sustainable, resilient, and healthy places to live in.
Abhijit (name changed) is relieved and excited about his new study space. The class four student speeds his way to the new grocery shop his parents own as soon after school ends. A resident of Sircilla town in Telangana, he spends the afternoon completing his homework without any disturbance, while his parents take a nap.
More than Abhijeet, it is his mother for whom the 8×8 feet kiosk is a boon. She no longer has to sit on the pavement under the scorching sun or worry about protecting her small business from the rains.
Like her, eight other street vendors in the town have been provided with kiosks to carry out their businesses.
What’s more?
Every shop is made from 400 kilos of recycled plastic, and 47 such kiosks in Sircilla and 43 in Siddipet are scheduled to come up by August 15.
Street vendors in Sircilla get kiosks made from plastic waste
This sustainable initiative is a part of Urban Street Vendors Project under the National Rural Livelihood Mission that aims to promote self-employment for the underprivileged sections of the society.
It was undertaken by Prashant Lingam, the owner of Hyderabad- based Herwin Eco Infra. In the past, Prashant has made several eco-friendly houses, bus stops, and government rooms from recycled plastic waste.
Speaking to The Better India about the mission, he says,
Earlier this year, the state government approached us to build eco-friendly and cost-effective kiosks for the street vendors across Telangana, starting from Siddipet and Sircilla. The intention behind this project was to improve the livelihood of vendors who are often affected by weather conditions and harassed by the public as well as authorities for blocking pavements. This unique initiative is a first in India.
The government has partnered with Prashant to make around 4,000 green kiosks over the next five years across the state, he says.
Solving the Plastic Menace
Every shop is made from 400 kilos of recycled plasticTelangana government has partnered with Prashant to make around 4,000 green kiosks over the next five years
After the government gave the green signal, Prashant and his team designed the proposal of using recycled plastic to make the shops.
Prashant opted for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to make the structures, considering that they are chemical and water resistant and do not break easily. Examples of LDPE include packaging materials like plastic wrap, labels on plastic bottles, grocery bags, and milk pouches.
One of the limitations of LDPE is that it cannot be recycled if it comes in contact with wet waste and thereby, not suitable for segregation.
Unfortunately, we cannot lift any plastic from the dump yard. So our sources are companies who produce post-production plastic waste. We procured the plastic from scrap dealers, ragpickers and companies we know in Hyderabad, says Prashant.
The leftover raw material after plastic items are manufactured is known as ‘post-production plastic waste’.
The collected waste of about 3,500 kilos was transported to Prashant’s recycling unit in Gujarat.
At the factory, the plastic was shredded into pieces using machines and converted into sheets of 8×4 feet. It takes two days for three people to finish this process.
Depending on the thickness of the sheet, the consumption of plastic is calculated. For instance, 18 mm sheets use 60 kilos of shredded plastic, thereby preventing the same amount from going to the landfill.
Once the sheets are ready, they are transported back to Hyderabad where Prashant and his team attach doors and shutters made of metal. The final touch takes place at the location of the shop.
While all the walls are made from LDPE, the roofing is done using a combination of LDPE and multi-layered plastics. An example of multi-layered plastic is chips packets.
Are recycled plastic shops durable enough to face extreme weather conditions? Prashant answers,
Six months ago, we conducted a fire testing, and the results showed that the plastic would melt only when the temperature touched 240 degrees. Only if someone attempts to break it, will the shop break. It is acid-free and free of any leakages.
Prashant had conducted an internal survey with street vendors and their requirements for an ideal shop. But the constructed kiosks are proving to be too large for the vendors.
So, in the next phase, the team is likely to reduce the shops by 2 feet.
To measure the impact of the shops, Prashant’s team will monitor the revenue generated by every owner in July, “We will compare the revenue before and after the installation of the shop to assess if the kiosks are beneficial.”
To provide a sustainable livelihood through eco-friendly for the lakh or so street vendors in Telangana, Prashant and his team are looking for investors. They are also looking to collaborate with corporates who generate huge volumes of plastic waste.
How Kiosks Can Be A Boon For Street Vendors
Recycled plastic kiosk promises a dignity of labour to street vendors
Exposed to safety and health issues, street vendors in India are often considered as a public nuisance for encroaching pavements and other such public places.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation estimates that there are around 10 million street vendors in India who work throughout the day to earn minimum wages. Often, most of their earnings go to the local police or the municipality as bribes disguised under ‘protection money’.
Acknowledging that street vending is a viable source of income for people who lack education, skills, and financial investment, the central government came out with the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, that made street vending a legal profession. Despite this, street vendors are perceived as ‘encroachers’.
Half of 2019 is over, and if your New Year’s resolutions have already been discarded or forgotten, it is, perhaps, an excellent time to pick up new ones.
This July, why not go plastic-free?
It is an excellent eco-alternative, and what’s more, it’s healthy for you too. For the past few months, I have taken up this cause myself, and although some changes do require time to get used to, I can see the results very clearly.
Until four months ago, I used to fill up a plastic bottle before I went to bed. Soon, the plastic started smelling, and although I washed the bottle frequently, the water didn’t feel as fresh.
Today, a glass bottle proudly sits on my bedside table, and the water has no foul smell or taste. These small details keep reminding me that my choice is healthy.
If you too are motivated to go plastic-free this July, here are 10 kick-starters for you. Each of the points here is included keeping in mind how frequently the products are used.
When you have eco-friendly alternatives like clay and glass, why go for plastic bottles that harm both you and the earth?
If the bottle stays in one place, like your desk or room, this clay bottle triumphs over a plastic one any day. If you are afraid ‘you’ll crack the bottle while on the go, try this glass bottle with a protective cover instead.
Plastic tiffins are handy, lightweight, and easy to store, right?
Well, they also leach chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) into food, which have an adverse effect on our body and hormone levels once in the bloodstream.
Try replacing your plastic lunch box with these borosilicate glass boxes, that come with a silicone sleeve to protect the glass from cracking. Perfect for carrying lunch to school, college or office, these boxes are leak-proof and microwave friendly!
How many times have you gone out for a plate of chaat or noodles? More often than not, you are handed a plastic spoon or fork to eat these dishes.
While we know that the plastic spoon is not sturdy enough to let us eat in peace, strangely enough, it is sturdy enough to not decompose for hundreds of years!
So, here’s your cue to bring your own cutlery wherever you go. Eco-friendly, efficient and guaranteed hygienic, these alternatives to plastic cutlery are also easy on the pocket.
Some say that the straws are the biggest menace to our oceans, and others believe that marine life has far more significant threats than a tiny straw.
We, however, believe that every green initiative, irrespective of how great or small, contributes to the betterment of the environment. Start small but sure.
Go green with these straws on The Better India shop.
Like most plastic waste, toothbrushes, used daily and discarded regularly, often add to the plastic menace.
This is why, switching from a conventional plastic toothbrush to a bamboo toothbrush is one of the easiest things you can do to reduce the plastic waste in your life immediately.
Bamboo toothbrushes are not only naturally antimicrobial but also eco-friendly and biodegradable.
Shampoo bars are sturdy and convenient, and the average number of bar uses, is equivalent to around three bottles of liquid shampoo.
Think about how using them will bring a dramatic reduction in the number of discarded plastic bottles!
If your hair gets frizzy, dull and is prone to dandruff and hair fall, the solution might not be in changing the brand, but to a chemical-free alternative.
Take care of your hair while also protecting nature. Buy shampoo bars on The Better India Shop here.
If your hair is going chemical free, why leave the skin behind? If you use body washes regularly, you know how many plastic bottles go into the dustbin every month.
If you prefer soap, it still contains microplastics that affect your skin and the water bodies they end up in.
Cut down on chemicals and go all-natural with these body bars on The Better India shop. Shop for them here.
Periods are often uncomfortable and not just because of the cramps, cravings and mood swings but also because of the sanitary products we use.
Disposable pads by popular brands promise many things, but they also come with itchiness and irritation. One reason for this is the plastic and chemicals they contain.
Ease your period pain a little and try out these eco-friendly napkins instead. And if you are ready to move away from disposable pads completely, try going for cloth pads or my personal favourite, menstrual cups.
Stop using plastic pens that you need to throw away after their ink runs out. Instead, use these pens that are made from bamboo, which is a natural, eco-friendly and completely renewable resource.
Now, once in a while, we forget our cloth shopping bag and have to sheepishly ask the shopkeeper to give us a plastic one.
But this wide variety of eco-friendly shopping bags will save you the trouble. From a forget-me-not bag made entirely of recycled PET bottles to a canvas bag with separate compartments for your grocery shopping, we have it all.
Check out the range of eco-friendly shopping bags here.
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)
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