The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) has decided to roll out initiatives to make the campus more environment-friendly this academic session. The institute plans to take measures in this direction by addressing three major aspects — energy, water conservation and minimising waste.
These "green initiatives" include setting up of two solar power projects in the campus. A 20 KW power system at the residence of the director is underway and another 1 MW solar power system will be installed in the academic area. IIT-Delhi dean (infrastructure) Dr Ashok Gupta said this would take care of 40 to 50 per cent electricity requirement in the academic areas.
Water harvesting is being taken up in a big way to improve the drainage system and groundwater. The institute will set up a water harvesting unit along with a new sewage treatment plant (STP) on campus as part of the green initiatives. "We are expecting that at least 70 per cent of the water from the STP can be used for horticulture purposes on campus," Dr Gupta said.
IIT-Delhi has converted toilets in the academic area to a waterless system and "looking at the success of these" in terms of water conservation, it plans to convert toilets in the hostels and residential area to the same system.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has been emphasising that need for "minimising the institute's impact on the environment and its carbon footprint." Each institute has been advised to constitute a dedicated and independent green office consisting of members knowledgeable in environmental issues and green technologies and practices, besides student representatives. The purpose of the green office would be to "track, monitor and steer the institute towards green practices".
Gupta said although the measures are in compliance with the MHRD guidelines, the institute had already started working on these measures. There are plans to segregate organic waste from residences and hostels on campus and convert it into manure.
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