Environmental education collaborate with NGO
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- Environmental education collaborate with NGO
Nature Club students of VIT conducted a water campaign awareness across the academic block at VIT on 24th March 2023. Conservation of water is mandatory at small to large scales at present. This small initiative will create a huge change among the students as well as the local community. The conservation activities are conducted at regular intervals in the local, national & global levels.
In continuation of global Forest day, water day celebrations, Nature Club VIT members participated in the National “Workshop on Ecological Engineering Restoration” at Adyar Creek and Guindy National Park, Chennai, TN, INDIA, which was jointly organized by Tamil Nadu Forest Department & Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (BCF-INDIA).
On the occasion of “World Forest Day” an invited talk is being organized. Mr. Abhilash Damodaran, IFS, Conservator of Forest will be delivering a talk on Forest Conservation’s importance at present & its challenges.
“Seed Balls – The Earth Dumplings” VIT’s Nature Club members have participated in preparing the seed balls. Nearly 1600 Nos. of Seed balls were made, moreover, the viable seeds were collected during the season and it was preserved safely. To support the climate action initiatives across the Eastern Ghats, INDIA, this small initiative was taken. VIT is planning to prepare 9 to 10 k earth dumplings in the next few months & they will be gifted to mother earth during the winter season.
The students have made 2800 seed balls on the occasion of Greenery Day. Around 7800 seed balls were prepared from the previous events. The seeds include: Jackfruit, Dates, Mango, Tamarind, Lotus, Henna, Lemon, Pumpkin, Orange, Palm, White Silk Cotton Tree, Sapota (Chikku) fruit, Flame Tree seeds, Neem seeds and we are planning for indigenous tree/fruit seed balls. Let’s conserve Mother Nature.
Collaborative Efforts for Forest Biodiversity Conservation and Management with SDGs perspective
In commemoration of World Environment Day, a collaborative initiative was undertaken by the Nature Club, in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Government, Forest Department, and Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (BCF), Trichy. This endeavor aimed to promote forest biodiversity conservation and management, with a special emphasis on the ecological significance of preserving local and global biodiversity.
Expert Insights on Forest Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Dr. Kumaraguru, a renowned Conservation Scientist from the Forest Biodiversity and Conservation Division, BCF, Trichy, delivered an invited talk on “Forest Biodiversity Conservation and Management.” The lecture, conducted on June 5, 2023, at the Yelagiri Reserve Forest, Yelagiri, provided a comprehensive overview of the importance of observing nature, the benefits of natural ecosystems, and the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems. The speaker also discussed the ecological significance of preserving local and global biodiversity, climate change, and threats on species distribution affecting biosphere integrity.
Community Engagement and Hands-on Conservation Efforts
Following the lecture, students from the Nature Club participated in a series of hands-on conservation activities, including seed ball dispersal at degraded ecosystems, nature walks, forest clean-up drives, and plantation initiatives. These events, conducted in association with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department (TNFD) and Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (BCF), Trichy, aimed to promote community engagement and raise awareness about the importance of forest biodiversity conservation and management.
Contributing to the Achievement of SDGs
This collaborative initiative contributes to the achievement of several United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
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SDG 13: Climate Action
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SDG 15: Life on Land
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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
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SDG 4.7: Education for Sustainable Development
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SDG 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
By fostering partnerships and community engagement, this initiative demonstrates the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting forest biodiversity conservation and management, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
Dr. V. Sai Saraswathi and her team of students dispersing seed balls at Yelagiri
VIT Students, Prof. C. D. Naiju, Director Student Welfare, Dr. A. Kumaraguru, Conservation Scientist, TNFD & BCF-INDIA, and Forest Department Officials
Native Plant distribution to the Tribal Community by Dr. C. D. Naiju, Director-Student Welfare, Dr. V. Sai Saraswathi, Range Officer, Forest Department, Mangalam Forest Division. Yelagiri.
Clean Up Drive: Prof. C. D. Naiju, Dr. V. Sai Saraswathi and Students cleared the plastics @ Mangalam RF, Yelagiri.
