Green Campus Initiative: Response from a Self-financed Educational Campus—A Case Study

Abstract

Solid waste management is one of the most important pillars in academic institutions where, as leaders of innovation in the society, they can easily adopt effective waste management programmes along with other environmentally conscious approaches to demonstrate sustainable principles which are socially and economically viable too. Such Green Campus Initiatives making the students appreciative and sensitive about this critical issue can provide a road map for others to follow. Accordingly, Guru Nanak Educational Campus located at North 24 Pargana, WB, tries to set example in the local community by implementing its green campus activities in phases. In the first phase, significant progress is already made under the following themes: the energy, biodiversity and waste management. The master plan for the entire campus implemented optimum land use through proper vertical and horizontal growth of the buildings, infrastructure developments with pitched roads, huge open playgrounds and picturesque lawns and optimum energy use in the campus as estimated following an energy audit. Installation of solar power plant and solar panels inside are two great steps taken in renewable energy use, meeting energy conservation partly. Proper transport management policy giving room for more walkability with less use of vehicles, management of generated wastes through outside agencies and maintenance of natural water body and habitat preservation are monitored regularly. But the measures for making green buildings, possible energy recovery from generated solid wastes and water recycling are the major issues still not addressed effectively. So in the second phase, another comprehensive plan is prepared including a detailed survey of the campus waste generation, its composition and possibility of energy output, identification of water use limit through water audit and its recycling processes. Their immediate incorporation can be of great help as these pollution free energy-efficient measures not only alleviates greatly the city’s negative impact on campus residents and its flora and fauna, but can give a strong message to the local people to change their mindset towards environmental issues.