Collegiates draw up ‘going green’ for Pune Municipal Corporation

Eleven colleges from the city studied various aspects of environment management and a ‘green agenda’ based on their findings was presented to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Sunday.

The students emphasised on the fact that environment planning should begin with ‘ourselves’ and suggested ways to PMC to improve its efforts.

The surveys done by students were about urban ecology and environment of Pune with special reference to urban biodiversity. The project was conducted as a part of Vasundhara Festival under the guidance of Bharati Vidyapeeth’s Institute of Environment
Education and Research.

Medical officer of PMC, RR Pardeshi, was present during the presentations. The students conducted studies on issues like air and water pollution, biodiversity, green space and traffic. The ‘Green Pune’ envisioned by students includes several aspects of environment management.

The students’ agenda reads: “We realise that all environmental planning in our city must begin from self and ‘self audit’ is very essential. We need to realise that we have to reduce our carbon footprint. Our plan for Pune includes the concept that sustainable development can only take place if the ‘quality of life’ of all its citizens is addressed. We will become a part of this future plan.”

They urged the authorities to look at a comprehensive plan that will address economic, social and environmental concerns in relation to water, solid waste, preventive health care, housing, green space and traffic management. 

“While the PMC must find ways to reduce waste of water through leakage, we must reduce wastage of household water and install rain water harvesting,” the students said. E-waste is also a growing concern and impact of plastics and water pollution on Pune’s biodiversity and wildlife is tremendous, they felt.

The students looked at Pune’s heritage buildings so as to preserve biodiversity such as birdlife, bats and insect life.