GREEN COMMITTEE

The Green Committee of University of Calicut is a non-statutory committee, working under the directions given by Hon. Vice Chancellor. Recently the Green Committee had been reconstituted, comprising the following members:

1. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Chairman)

2. Dr. John E. Thoppil, Senior Professor, Dept. of Botany (Convenor)

3. Dr. C. C. Harilal, Professor, Dept. of Botany

4. Dr. Mohamed Haneefa K., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Library and information Science

5. Dr. E. Sreekumaran, Associate Professor, Dept. of Life Sciences

6. Dr. B. S Harikumaran Thampi, Associate Professor & HOD, Dept. of Life Sciences

7. Dr. Vasumathi T., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Education

8. Dr. Mohamed Shaheen Thayyil, Professor, Dept. of Physics

9. Dr. Gopinathan C., Associate Professor, Dept. of Biotechnology

10. Dr. Pramod C., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Botany

11. University Engineer

12. Chairman, DSU

This committee plans various initiatives to inculcate green consciousness in all its stakeholders, especially students and plan actions to boost environment sustainability in the campus. The Committee work with the motto “Save the nature to save the future, make safer environment for better tomorrow”. 

1. Adoption of Green Technology: University of Calicut had implemented “Green Protocol” in the campus and adopted all measures to safeguard it’s greenery. Hundreds of tree saplings are been planted by the students, teachers and staff of all departments, starting from the world environment day on 5^th of June every year. Measures are being taken to safeguard the tree saplings initially by protecting them with tree guards for a couple of years. Felling or cutting down of trees had been prevented and pruning is allowed if essential. Dead and standing trees posing threat to residential units and office buildings are removed after the Green Committee inspects the site and recommends it. Acacia plantations are replaced with native trees in a phased manner after taking permission from the concerned departments.

2. Making the campus eco-friendly:

The Green Committee of University of Calicut had taken necessary steps to make the campus eco-friendly with the commendable efforts of Housekeeping Unit, Engineering Department, University of Calicut. All stake holders are strictly adviced to abide by the following  instructions:

1. Prevent wastage of all kinds of materials including food and water.
2. Use reusable items and repurpose the plastic that you already have. 

• Prevent burning of all types of waste.

1. Keep the venues of all functions in the campus neat and clean.
2. Do not use flex items as well as plastic and other non-biodegradable banners/posters for any event including seminar, workshop, get-together etc.
3. Avoid flowers draped in plastic covers, instead welcome dignitaries with a tree sapling or a book.

• Serve drinking water in stainless steel glasses only and avoid plastic glasses and cups.
• Serve food in stainless steel or porcelain plates and avoid plastic plates and cups. Each department may buy enough steel plates and glasses for it.

1. Avoid plastic straws, plastic wrappings and other disposable materials.
2. Avoid water and food packed in plastic bottles or containers.
3. Choose cardboard boxes or biodegradable trash bags instead of plastic trash bags to collect biodegradable and food waste.

• Discourage students and staff from bringing plastic & other materials to the campus.
• Clean and disinfect food supplying areas with the help of CLR staff of the campus after each food session.
• Make sure that the venue and premises are neat and clean both before after the event.

1. Reduce the usage of all kinds of paper.

• Use electronic media for all displays and communications.

3. Waste Management: Integrated Waste Management Scheme was implemented in the campus in all Departments and Offices in the Campus. Instructions had been given to all CLR workers to manage waste from the various departments and offices in an eco-friendly manner and not to burn waste paper or plastic waste.

Waste is segregated using waste bins into (i)  Biodegradable and (ii) Non-biodegradable for convenient waste handling. Non biodegradable waste had been packed and stored in a secluded area (J2 A & B quarters on the backside of Ladies Hostel which were set for demolition), which is the “Zero waste” sorting repository of the campus. The security officer informs the concerned scrap dealer and hand them over to the waste picker/scrap dealer as per the agreement executed on behalf of the “Zero Waste Malappuram Programme”.

4. Water harvesting:

Water conservation related measures are been taken by deepening the existing ponds and by digging more rain water storage pits. Roof harvesting of water is effectively done in several offices and Departments to collect rain water for storage.

Water harvesting large pits are dug to collect and harvest runoff rain water at several strategic locations in the campus.

5. Utilization of Solar Energy: Solar panels had been installed at several places in the Campus to generate solar power for meeting the energy needs of the street lights in the campus. Instructions had been given to all stake holders to save energy by turning off fans, light, air conditioners etc. when not needed and to use LED and CFL bulbs wherever possible to save energy.

6. Plastic free campus and Greening of Campus:

In order to make the campus plastic-free, orders had been issued to all HODs and Branch Officers to keep two waste bins close to waste sources: one red (non-biodegradable waste) and the other green (biodegradable waste). Security had been instructed to keep the campus free from any display boards or banners (especially by strikers) and to avoid flex banners and displays at event venues.