THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The Central University’s School of Global Studies in the capital has charted out an ambitious plan to keep the city green and clean. Sensitisation of youngsters forms the core of the programme that will be rolled out in July.
“The programme aims at a change in the mindset of people. In the first phase, we will sensitise school children on the need for environment conservation and scientific waste management practices,” said Reinhart Philip, assistant professor, department of international relations. “We selected the student community for two reasons. First, due to the catch them young policy. Secondly, we want to stop the ugly practice of waste dumping in public places using children to avoid penal action,” he said.
Undergraduate degree in international relations is the lone course offered in the Central University Campus near Pattom in the capital. 90 students from around eight states study here.
Reinhart said his students will be given a study class on environment conservation and scientific waste management by experts. The former will be held in association with the Periyar Tiger Reserve. “The first phase will be a training programme for selected students from city schools at our campus. We will groom them as ambassadors of this programme at their institutions,” he said.
The third phase is an outreach programme covering all schools in the city.
“Students of all ages will be sensitised. Cartoon programmes based on the theme will be made for small children. Lectures will be conducted for senior students,” he said. Students will be distributed attractive name slips and stickers based on the green theme. Senior students will be given training in the making cloth and paper bags.
Water management
Next major component of the university’s green initiative is a water resource mapping of the capital. For this, an internship programme will be held next month in association with the United Nations University Regional Centre for Expertise. In this students will be given training in identifying water resources and best management practices and preparing conservation. The university has already prepared a renovation plan for the Pattom canal.
Green campus
The Central University campus had adopted a green protocol since 2015 and use of plastic is discouraged. “Our ultimate aim is a plastic-free campus. Students, teachers and other staff members bring plastic materials only in unavoidable circumstances,” said Sabarinath V S, a student. The campus has a scientific plastic management system in which students collect and clean the plastic waste before handing over to the Kudumbashree.
Harithabhoomika 2017
An outreach programme organised by the School of Global Studies, Central University of Kerala, to spread the message of environment conservation concluded in the city on Sunday.
Titled “Harithabhoomika 2017”, the programme’s highlight was a mock parliament in which students “discussed and enacted” a new legislation for environment conservation. The colourful valedictory at the Manaveeyam Veedhi in the city included a street play, folk song recitals, mime and mono act.