Title of the Practice: Swachh aru Seujia HPB (Clean and Green HPB)

Objectives of the Practice: H.P.B. Girls’ College deeply believes that a clean, green and a pollution free environment provide a pristine backdrop for an effective learning experience. The College has therefore left no stone unturned in the development of a green ecosystem to provide enrichment to the mind, heart and soul of the students. It has a mesmerizingly beautiful campus which creates a refreshingly soothing impact upon everyone. The college campus located in a clean and pollution-free environment is spread over 14.8 acres. H.P.B. Girls’ College is committed to the green movement and has 6 acres (60 percent) of green area. The college invests all efforts to maintain beautify lush green gardens all around the campus. H. P. B. Girls’ College since its inception, aims to reduce energy consumption, ensure standard indoor air quality, and improve energy efficiency on campus through methods that are consistent with a safe, secure, and involving the Teacher, Student, and non-Teaching Community within the campus.
The Context: The world is witnessing an unprecedented catastrophe owing to the damage caused by human beings to the eco-system. We needed a robust mechanism to make the college community aware of the urgent need to sustain a clean, green and healthy environment. A clean and healthy environment is a catalyst of effective learning and provides a conductive learning environment. We decided to educate and make aware students on the issues such as renewable energy sources, waste management and recycling to disseminate the concept of eco-friendly culture. We decided to work in the areas of power, plant, water and cleanliness. It was necessary to look forward to make efficient use of available water and other resources. Motivation of employees and students implement green initiatives like minimal use of plastic, switching of lights/fans, use eco-friendly methods of transportation such as no-vehicle zone etc are very important.
4) The Practice:
Following initiatives are employed in the campus:
1) Clean Campus Initiative: Each department is assigned to clean the college campus on a rotation basis. This practice enables the students and faculty members to inculcate the philosophy of nurturing, cleaning and saving the environment.
2) Plant and gift a sapling initiative: Plant sapling initiative aims to add more greenery to the college campus. Saplings are planted by the college family on the occasion of Farewell felicitation program, Foundation Day, celebration of internationally and nationally important days. Also, the college gifts saplings to invited guests of various programmes to showcase its commitment to spread awareness on environmental conservation.
3) Energy Conservation: The policy on energy conservation highlights on developing a proactive and progressive approach to providing energy efficient, responsible, and cost-effective operations on campus. Tube lights and bulbs have been replaced with LED lamps. Optimum power utilization is practiced through this.
• Use of Solar Bulbs and lights.
• Use of Sensor Lights.
4) Solid waste Management
• For biodegradable waste, e.g. fallen leaves of plants has been carried to the Vermi Compost Plant and Organic Manure Plant of the college. Manure of the plant is used for flower gardens and herbal gardens.
5) Liquid waste Management
• Liquid waste management system is done through proper drainage system wherewith all the sewage is drained to a deep soak pit.
• Liquid Waste from Air-conditioners and ROs are used in flower gardens and plants.
• Rain water is effectively harvested in 3 tanks on the campus.
6) E-Waste Management
• So far as E-Waste is concerned the college always prioritizes to repair the electronic devices as much as possible.
• Otherwise the waste electronic scrap devices are disposed through by selling the same to local scrap dealers.
• Biodegradable waste recycling system has been institutionalized by setting up of Vermi Compost plant, where biodegradable solid wastes like fallen leaves of plants are disposed and convert it as an organic fertilizer, which are mainly used for the development of college flower gardens.
7) Efforts for Carbon neutrality:
• Green footprint through 8 acres of green area out of 14.8 acres campus area
8) Plantations:
• Plantations of commercially viable trees such as Sachi (Agar), Bonsum, Titasopa.
• Plantations of local flora and Fauna and evergreen trees.
• Plantations of flowers and trees that offer food and shelter to birds.
• Plantation of trees that helps in biodiversity.
• Plantation of bamboo trees.
• Maintenance of oxygen zone in the campus
9) Setting up of Herbal Garden:
• The herbal garden containing traditional medicinal plants and herbs symbolize the rich heritage of alternative medicine in India.
10) No vehicle Zone on Second and Fourth Saturday: No vehicle zone on selected days reduces pollution in the campus.
11) Single Use Plastic Free Campus:
• Use of banana Leaves in the college feasts.
• Prohibition of single use plastic in the campus
12) Oxygen zone in the campus: The institution maintains an area full of naturally grown trees and creepers which creates a tranquil and rejuvenated ambience.
13) Bio-degradable, eco-friendly, natural, renewable resources: The college uses banana leaves in the feasts. Also, baskets and dustbins are made from bio-degradable, eco-friendly, natural, renewable resources.
Evidence of Success:
• The college is certified as Clean and Green Campus by the forest department, Government of Assam.
• The college community has become more alert and involved in environmental preservation, cleanliness.
• The green and clean campus initiative orchestrated by the college helps to create a pollution-free ambience.
• Liquid waste management helps to nourish the plants in the herbal garden and flower garden.
• Ban on plastic items, a well implemented waste policy made college campus clean and beautiful.
• Eco-campus strategies employed resulted in one of the beautiful and clean college in the vicinity. It has resulted in attracting more students.
• The fertilizer of Vermi Compost plant and organic manure plant is used in the college. Problems Encountered and Resources Required: Financial constraints are a major drawback in fully implementing the best practice. Projects such as Biogas plant, Waste Recycling Plants need financial assistance from the government. Also, in summer and winter vacations students and teachers remain absent which creates hurdle in implementing the best practice at that time.
• The fertilizer of Vermi Compost plant and organic manure plant is used in the college.Problems Encountered and Resources Required: Financial constraints are a major drawback in fully implementing the best practice. Projects such as Biogas plant, Waste Recycling Plants need financial assistance from the government. Also, in summer and winter vacations students and teachers remain absent which creates hurdle in implementing the best practice at that time.