Pune District Education Association's
Baburaoji Gholap College , Sangvi ,Pune.
"NAAC Grade B "
Plastic collection drive
Plastic pollution is the biggest challenge in 21 st 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 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 our Principal Dr. Nitin Ghorpade appreciated the efforts taken by the staff and students. A "special Plastic collection drive" was organized on 22 nd July 2022 in presence of Chief guest Dr. Digambar Durgade, Chairman, PDCC Bank. 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 397 kg of plastic is given for recycling to Sagarmitra Foundation. In all 327 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, Best Practice 2022-23 Baburaoji Gholap College, Sangvi, Pune-411027 2 soft/cold drink bottles, food wrappings, shampoo and cosmetic bottles, detergent bottles, oil 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 | 22/06/2022 | 26 | 26 |
| 2 | 22/07/2022 | 142 | 107 |
| 3 | 02/09/2022 | 47 | 34 |
| 4 | 27/09/2022 | 16 | 64 |
| 5 | 20/10/2022 | 27 | 09 |
| 6 | 22/11/2022 | 30 | 23 |
| 7 | 17/01/2023 | 26 | 15 |
| 8 | 06/02/2023 | 27 | 09 |
| 9 | 18/03/2023 | 14 | 11 |
| 10 | 02/05/2023 | 42 | 29 |
| Total | - | 397 Kg | 327 |
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, 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.
A village survey of village Chale
Overall, the initiative taken by our college demonstrates a commitment to community engagement, social responsibility, and the holistic development and participation of both students and rural communities. It is a step towards creating a positive impact and fostering sustainable progress in rural India.
So, to understand the status of these villages, our college has decided to survey these villages. This activity was carried out through interdisciplinary approach by involving the teachers of different subjects and faculties.
The overall objective of the study was to create a dataset of various natural resources and to capture the cultural, political, and socioeconomic dynamics of the Chale village. The purpose was to assess the pace, process, and pattern of rural change. The focus was on agricultural change and changing pattern of rural livelihoods and its implication for future development. The study also evaluates the efficacy of government interventions in rural areas and key drivers of changes in village economy. The study will also provide a clear picture about success or failures of development schemes, besides providing panel data for policy formulations.
The college developed a comprehensive questionnaire to gather appropriate information from the villages, supplementing soil, water, and biodiversity sampling efforts. Students actively participated in the data collection process, conducting thorough inquiries into various aspects of village facilities. The surveys covered a detailed study of nonconventional energy sources, availability of electricity, access to drinking water, irrigation and drainage systems, presence of cooperative societies and self-help groups. Additionally, the questionnaire inquired into the implementation status of various Government development schemes related to drinking water, housing, sanitation, approach roads, employment generation, pension, literacy, etc. The surveys also recorded the proximity of villages to essential amenities such as bus stops, railway stations, markets, primary schools, hospitals, and facilities for the disabled.
Initially, the villagers were hesitated to share the information. To address this challenge, students underwent brief training sessions focused on effective communication and information gathering from the local community. Teachers played a crucial role in assisting students not only in overcoming this communication barrier but also in providing guidance on scientific and technical aspects.
The village Chale is deeply rooted in its traditions, with the residents faithfully observing all rituals. However, field and laboratory investigations have revealed that the village's progress has been limited, primarily due to its geographical location in hilly terrain. Technological backwardness has further impeded the overall development of the village, leading to a trend where the youth are drawn to cities for employment opportunities. So, there is a need for economic advancement in the village. The social fabric of the community is tightly woven through unique traditions, uniting individuals from Hindu, Buddhist, and scheduled caste backgrounds. Despite this cultural richness, the advent of communication and technological advancements is gradually eroding local language expressions and traditional practices. Floral and crop diversity surveys documented a remarkable richness, identifying 461 plant species, including 19 under threat categories. Additionally, 34 cultivated fruit species were documented. The villagers benefit from a variety of ecological services derived from the region's biodiversity, including medicinal plants, food, timber, fuel wood, freshwater, land stabilization, disease and pest regulation, pollination, nutrient recycling, local climate regulation, protection from natural hazards, erosion control, and recreation. Medicinal plants like Shatawari, Adulsa, Dhayati, Murudsheng, Chandan, Chitrak, Kala- kuda, Gulvel, Vekhand, Beheda, Awala, Khajkuili, Bhuiawali, Punarnawa, Anantmul, Nirgudi, Shikekai, Akkalkara, Jambhul, Aghada, Bibba, Tulsi, Khair, Kal-lawi, Sadaphuli, Bahava, and Kalmegh have been documented. The faunal diversity in the village is noteworthy, with observations on birds, uncommon butterflies and moths, and frogs. Students had the opportunity to study frog burrows in paddy fields. Chemistry department analysed the water from the Grampanchyat well indicating good quality suitable for drinking. Soil analysis revealed no chemical contamination, with enrichment in nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, along with the presence of calcium and carbon to some extent. The Physics department focused on energy consumption patterns and needs, recommending awareness programs on non-conventional energy sources like solar equipment. Discouraging the use of jungle wood as fuel, promoting CFL lamps, gobar gas, and associated schemes were suggested for urgent implementation by government authorities and the Gram Panchayat to lead in this awareness initiative.
Under the guidance of teachers, students have successfully compiled an outstanding database encompassing various aspects of the village. This hands-on experience has not only trained students and teachers with firsthand knowledge of village challenges and resources but has also sharpened their communication skills, making them efficient communicators. The process exposed them to numerous issues faced by the villagers. Furthermore, students were sensitized to the richness of biodiversity in the region, recognizing its significance and the priority for conservation through active participation of the community. This initiative not only fosters environmental awareness but also imparts a sense of responsibility among students towards the preservation of the natural heritage of the village.
These surveys can be extended to various villages in Mulshi Tehsil as part of an ongoing initiative. Our plan includes expanding the scope of these activities to encompass surveys on plant and animal diversity, soil and water analyses, assessment of the socio-economic status of villagers, exploration of historical perspectives, and more. To ensure the success of these endeavours, students for the upcoming academic year will receive advanced training. The information gathered contributes to a holistic understanding of the villages, facilitating informed decision-making and fostering collaborative efforts across various fields. This sustained commitment to in-depth surveys reflects our dedication to continued learning, community engagement, and the advancement of rural development.
Active participation of enthusiastic students from diverse faculties, supported by dedicated teachers who are genuinely interested in the initiative. Adequate laboratory facilities and state- of-the-art equipment are available for the comprehensive analysis of collected samples.
The knowledge gathered from this practice has been thoughtfully consolidated into a comprehensive book. This invaluable resource will be distributed to the village panchayat and the Block Development Office (BDO) for their review and consideration. Moreover, it will be made available to the villages themselves and other interested parties, with plans for potential publication on the college website as an open-source document. This commitment to transparent knowledge-sharing is designed to benefit not only the academic community but also the wider public and stakeholders invested in the progress and welfare of the surveyed villages.