Pune District Education Association's
Baburaoji Gholap College , Sangvi ,Pune.
"NAAC Grade B "
A Village survey at Karmoli, Tal. Mulshi
Village surveys have its own importance with respect to many aspects. Such surveys can enrich the information and knowledge of the rural India. This will be of great use for finding out the basic problems and fundamental needs of the villages. Without realising the basic needs of villages, no real progress could be made. So, to understand the current status of these villages, our college has decided to survey these villages through the participation of students and teachers. This activity was carried out through interdisciplinary approach by involving the teachers of different subjects and faculties. The village Karmoli is in Mulshi area and surrounded by hills.
The college has designed a questionnaire to obtain relevant information from the villages apart from soil, water, and biodiversity sampling. The information was collected through student’s participation. A detailed enquiry on village facilities was conducted. The surveys on village facilities included questions on availability of non-conventional energy sources, electricity, drinking water, irrigation and drainage systems, cooperative societies and self-help groups was enquired into, and whether any Government development schemes relating to drinking water, housing, sanitation, approach road, employment generation, pension, literacy, etc., was in force. The distance of the villages from the nearest bus stop, railway station, market, primary school, hospital, etc., and from facilities for the disabled was also recorded..
The villagers were reluctant to provide the information. To overcome this issue, the students were given short training on how to obtain the information from villagers. The teachers also helped them to overcome this problem and on scientific and technical issues.
The village has a traditional farming practice. The main crops are paddy, wheat, Chickpea, sugarcane, and finger millet. Similarly, milk business and animal husbandry are seen as ancillary businesses to agriculture. There are one or two grocery shops in the village. The weekly market is very close and at Poud town. Young children in the village seem to be attracted to the city for jobs. So, the village seemed to be financially prosperous. Mula Rivers flows along the village. The villagers have taken the advantage of this river for irrigation. It helped in the economic development of the village. The village have adequate primary educational facilities and higher education facilities within 20 km. The village, especially the women and youth of the village are earning through agriculture, agriculture labour, business, and 50% have jobs. The main occupation of this village is agriculture. Dairy business and animal husbandry are complementary to agriculture. Rice, Wheat, and Sugarcane are chief crops. The bore well and River are important source of irrigation. The irrigation method used was drip and flooding. The only grocery store was found in Best Practice 2021-22 Baburaoji Gholap College, Sangvi, Pune-411027 2 the village. The youth of the village is attracted to urban life due to more employment opportunities. The social structure is well integrated through unique traditions. Hindu community is large in this village, while the Buddhist and Muslim communities are relatively small; yet its noteworthy that both the minority communities are included in the decision-making process in the village. Due to overall development in communication and other technological progress, there seems to change in livelihood. Many words and sayings of local language and some traditions are disappearing slowly. The floral and crop diversity surveys were also made which resulted in documentation of 503 plant species indicating rich diversity. Out of these 19 were under threat categories. Crop and cultivated fruit species documented were 34. The habit-form wise analysis represented a predominance of herbs (46%) and trees (16%) followed by shrubs (15%), and climbers (14%) and grasses (9%). The Pteridophytes and Bryophytes are represented by 9 species each. The villagers are enjoying different kind of ecological services out of the rich biodiversity of the region. The students were made aware of the ecological services that are obtained from different natural resources. Examples include medicinal plants, food, timber, fuel wood, freshwater, land stabilization, disease and pest regulation, pollination, nutrient recycling, local climate regulation, and protection from natural hazards, erosion control and recreation. The documented medicinal plants include Dhayati, Chandan, Gulvel, Vekhand, Shatawari, Khajkuili, Bhuiawali, Kala-kuda, Anantmul, Nirgudi, Beheda, Awala, Shikekai, Akkalkara, Jambhul, Murudsheng, Aghada, Bibba, Tulsi, Chitrak, Khair, Adulsa, Kal-lawi, Sadaphuli, Bahava, Punarnawa, and Kalmegh. The major health problems present in the community were arthritis (24%) and blood pressure (17%). Diabetes mellitus (16%) and cataract (16%) are also present in the community which needs to be addressed. The other health problems found among samples are asthma, deafness, and teeth decay. The health education and awareness programmes shall be conducted for prevention of non-communicable disease and motivate public health workers to strengthen non communicable disease prevention programmes. Department of chemistry have made water and soil analysis. Water available was having good quality and suitable for drinking. Soils are not chemically contaminated and enriched with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium; other constituents present were calcium and carbon to some extent. Department of Physics have worked on survey of energy consumption patterns and energy needs. According to the results of survey, it is recommended that the authorities should implement the programs to make the villagers aware about the non-conventional energy sources such as solar energy equipment. The jungle wood should not be used as a fuel for domestic purposes. Use of CFL lamp, gobar gas etc. and associated schemes are needed to be implemented on war footing. The government authorities and Gram Panchayat should lead in this awareness program.
Students under the guidance of teachers have created an excellent database on various aspects of the village. Students and teachers gaining first-hand knowledge of village problems and resources; and become efficient communicators & got exposed to various problems faced by the villagers. The students were made aware of the rich biodiversity, its importance and need for its conservation through people’s participation.
Such kind of surveys will be continued in different villages of Mulshi Tehsil. We have planned to elaborate this activity by undertaking the surveys for plants and animal diversity, soil and water analysis, socio-economic status of the villagers, historical status, etc. For this activity the students of next year will be given training in advance. Such studies help in planning rural reconstruction & provide useful information to other disciplines.
Enthusiastic students of various faculties, interested teacher, laboratory, and equipment for sample analysis.
The information obtained through this practice has been compiled in a book; and it will be circulated to the village panchayat and BDO office and may be made available to villages and other interested parties; and even on college website as an open source.
Plastic Collection Drive
Plastic pollution is the biggest challenge in 21st century. Approximately one million plastic mineral water bottles are purchased every minute around the World, while up to 5 trillion single use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. In total, half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once and then thrown away in surrounding areas. Plastic recycling reduces C02 emitted from the manufacture of new plastic, emissions from incinerating plastic waste, and prevents waste from going to landfill. It also reduces the speed at which we use the earth’s oil stocks. Further, recycling plastic is more energy-efficient than producing new polymers. Identifying the challenges and barriers for reducing plastic waste, our college had taken an initiative to collect home stored plastic and bring it to college and further it will be handed over to NGO named ‘Sagarmitra Foundation’ for further processing and proper management of plastic. Our motive is to make the students and staff aware for minimal use of plastic and furthermore to prevent, reduce or reuse of plastic.
We should be aware of the dangerous effects of plastic on our ecology. Thus, the staff and students are encouraged to use alternative sources for carrying purchased items to save the mother earth from the plastic pollution.
* To make students and staff aware about plastic pollution and its health hazards.
* To minimize the use of plastic at individual and family level.
* Develop a sense of social and civic responsibility.
* To establish environment-friendly plastic waste disposal solutions.
To understand the nature and importance of this practice, we have made awareness among students and staff regarding the importance and need of plastic collection. To encourage the staff and students at college Dr. N.S. Umarani, Pro-Vice Chancellor of SPPU, visited college and appreciated the efforts. It was decided that at every month staff and students must bring the home stored plastic in college and then it will be handed over to Sagarmitra Foundation, Pune. So far in last year total eleven plastic collection drives were held and total 298 kg of plastic is given for recycling to Sagarmitra Foundation. In all 281 staff and students were involved.
The students were reluctant to bring the home collected plastic. To overcome this issue, the students were given short training on how to collect and bring the plastic in college. The teachers also helped them to overcome this problem and on handling of plastic waste.
During this drive we have collected the household dry plastics in the form of plastic milk pouches, bottles, chocolate and other plastic wrappers, plastic straws, plastic carrier bags, soft/cold drink bottles, food wrappings, shampoo and cosmetic bottles, detergent bottles, oil Best Practice 2021-22 Baburaoji Gholap College, Sangvi, Pune-411027 2 cans, toys, and containers. We are selling this plastic waste and generating funds. This deposited in college account. Details of month wise activity are given in table below.
| Sr. No | Date of Activity | Plastic collected (kg) | Number of staff members involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22/06/2021 | 28 | 26 |
| 2 | 19/07/2021 | 27 | 17 |
| 3 | 18/08/2021 | 28 | 14 |
| 4 | 21/09/2021 | 21 | 21 |
| 5 | 20/10/2021 | 25 | 14 |
| 6 | 25/11/2021 | 50 | 36 |
| 7 | 27/12/2021 | 30 | 49 |
| 8 | 01/02/2022 | 21 | 29 |
| 9 | 03/03/2022 | 24 | 34 |
| 10 | 02/05/2022 | 26 | 26 |
| 11 | 20/05/2022 | 18 | 15 |
| total | 298 | 281 |
The staff and students were learnt the importance of plastic recycling and management. Students and teachers gaining first-hand experience of plastic problems; and become efficient communicators & got exposed to various problems due to plastic waste. The students were made aware of the effects of plastic pollution on our surrounding ecology and environment. In the process it seeks to ban the use of plastic bags and plastic products and reduce plastic littering in the college premises.
This kind of plastic collection drives can be continued in different college and schools within the city. We have planned to elaborate this activity in other educational institutions. The staff and students of other educational institution will be given training in advance. Further, in order to ensure sustainability and continued students’ participation, the initiative seeks to spread environmental awareness among the local population.
Passionate staff and students, plastic collection boxes.
The information obtained through this practice has been compiled in a report. The newspapers have given wide publicity to this activity.