Category Archives: Green Initiatives / Environment

This waste exchange shop collected 800 kg plastics in two months

Amazing Feats, Green Initiatives / Environment

As part of its initiative to make the city plastic-free, Chirala Municipality has managed to collect around 800 kg plastic as part of its novel plastic waste exchange initiative since October 2.

Chirala Municipal commissioner Ramachandra Reddy along with staff members inspecting the weighing of plastic waste materials at the newly established 'Waste Plastic Exchange Shop'(Photo | EPS)
Chirala Municipal commissioner Ramachandra Reddy along with staff members inspecting the weighing of plastic waste materials at the newly established ‘Waste Plastic Exchange Shop'(Photo | EPS)

Ongole :

As part of its initiative to make the city plastic-free, Chirala Municipality has managed to collect around 800 kg plastic as part of its novel plastic waste exchange initiative since October 2.

In the ‘exchange shops’, plastic waste is collected from the citizens at Rs 10 per kg.

However, instead of cash people are given coupons which they can use to purchase goods.

The municipality has set up a shop where goods priced between Rs 5 to Rs 300 are available. People may exchange the trash with goods like incense sticks, eggs and biscuit packets.

The initiative turned out to be a huge hit, with around 200 kg of waste collected on the first day itself.

On September 5, Chirala Municipal Commissioner K Ramachandra Reddy announced a ban on single-use plastic bags within municipality limits.

Despite several raids on errant individuals and firms, the move proved to be unsuccessful as a large quantity of waste could still be found dumped in drains leading to stagnation.

It was at such a juncture, that the present initiative was conceptualised and was started from October 2. During the Deepavali season this year, the municipal authorities coined a slogan ‘Give us Plastic waste- Go home with a Gift’ and allowed people to exchange plastic waste with crockeries.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Express News Service / November 28th, 2019

When 24 mango varieties grow on a single tree

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All
Mango bite: Kuppala Rama Gopalakrishna showing the mangoes grown in his orchard. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR
Mango bite: Kuppala Rama Gopalakrishna showing the mangoes grown in his orchard. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

School dropout used grafting technique to achieve the sweet success

This school dropout is scripting a success story in the field of horticulture. He has grafted 24 varieties of mangoes on a single tree in his orchard spread over seven acres.

Everyone laughed at Kuppala Rama Gopalakrishna, 25, when he shared his plans to go for grafting technology to tide over the ‘off-season on-season’ problem associated with the mango crop, in 2015. In less than four years, he became a role model in his village and also villages nearby. Unlike other mango growers, he doesn’t harvest the crop and transport the produce to nearby mandi or Nunna market. “Instead, the prospective buyers visit my garden in view of the quality. We harvest the crop in front of them,” he says.

Mr. Gopalakrishna recalls that the mango yield of Chinna rasalu, Banginapalli and Collector (Totapuri) mangoes in his farm was not encouraging in 2015, and his well-wishers advised him to clear the garden and go for fresh plantation.

“But, by then five years of our life and lakhs of rupees were spent on the orchards. I did not want our sweat and toil to go waste. So, I started experimenting with grafting,” he says.

Showing the mangoes grown on the experimented tree, Mr. Gopalakrishna explains each variety: Banginapalli, Pachadara kalasa, Suvarn Rekha, Kobbari mamidi, Alphonso, Chinna rasalu, Pedda rasalu, Nalla rasalu, Nuzvid mamidi, Dasheri, Panduru mamidi, Collector, Himayat, Jalam, Neelisha, Mallika and some local varities. “And, this is Punasa mamidi,” he says, “which will grow throughout the year.”

The farmer managed to grab the attention of the Horticulture Department officials and was felicitated by the then Krishna District Collector B. Lakshmikantham for his experimenting spirit and innovation a year ago.

“This feat and success would not have been a reality had I followed my well-wishers’ advice. Now, I get invitations by farmers from nearby villages to guide them in emulating my techniques. And, I get invitations from my friends who advised me to cut the trees,” he smiles.

Now, Mr. Gopalakrishna has plans to grow more than 50 varieties of locally-available mangoes in his orchard and also go for high-density cultivation. “We also have a share in another three acres. I will go for high-density plantation there,” he adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by G.V.R. Subba Rao / Vadlamanu – April 27th, 2019

‘Gold’ rating for Vijayawada Railway Station

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All

Speaking on the occasion, Dhananjayulu lauded the efforts of the staff instrumental in achieving this feat.

GoldratingANDHRA26mar2019

Vijayawada :

Vijayawada Railway Station was awarded a ‘Gold’ rating by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) R Dhananjayulu received the IGB councils’ ‘Gold’ rating Shield from IGBC (Amaravati Chapter) Chairperson Vijaya Sai Meka at Divisional Conference Hall here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dhananjayulu lauded the efforts of the staff instrumental in achieving this feat. He called upon the field staff and branch officers to work hard and strive to achieve the ‘Platinum’ rating for the railway station next year. The station stood 4th for maintaining cleanliness among the A1 Category stations of the Indian Railways consecutively for the years 2017 and 2018, he said.

IGBC (Amaravati Chapter) Chairperson Vijaya Sai Meka said that the rating was a big achievement and the staff must continue to make efforts in order to achieve the ‘Platinum’ rating next year. The hardwork done by the railways could clearly be seen as with the installation of LED lights, fans (BEE 5-star rated), pumps and motors, solar water heating systems etc, he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Vijayawada / by Express News Service / March 26th, 2019

Teacher on a mission to protect environment

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Teacher Sudhakar addressing the NCC cadets at a camp in Chittoor.
Teacher Sudhakar addressing the NCC cadets at a camp in Chittoor.

Influenced by meet on biodiversity, Sudhakar of Chittoor turns a crusader

One fine morning in October, 2012, G. Sudhakar, a government teacher, was flipping through a newspaper at a tea stall in Chittoor when he came across news pertaining to the Hyderabad Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). One particular story on crows and their services as the best urban scavengers attracted him so much that from that day his outlook towards flora and fauna started undergoing a sea change.

Mr. Sudhakar (50), a native of Chittoor town, is currently working at the Government Upper Primary School, 70 Kothapalli village of Yadamarri mandal. The impact of the conference was such that he extensively collected the literature of the meet, including newspaper clippings, brochures, lectures and souvenirs. For about six months, he was immersed in the theme of biodiversity. He found himself moved by the urge to simplify the message and teach the same to the students and make them practically do something to protect the environment and cherish a love for flora and fauna.

Action plan

From the beginning of the academic year 2013, Mr. Sudhakar chalked out an action plan to spread the message on biodiversity. During the last five years, the teacher visited as many as 170 schools not only in Andhra Pradesh, but also in Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, covering close to one lakh students. He would utilise the Casual Leaves to spread the message at NCC camps, social welfare hostels, exhibitions and environmental meets.

Mr. Sudhakar adopts a unique methodology to deliver his message and to create instant impact on the students. For instance, he extensively refers to the role of crow, the nearest dwelling bird of mankind. “It pained me so much as most people consider crow as a bad omen, going by its colour and voice. I kept repeatedly emphasising its role for mankind, as a scavenger. Now, many of my students have developed a sort of love and respect for crows,” says the teacher.

He would also speak about the role of sparrows, honeybee, butterflies and insects in pollination, which in turn would lead to the greater survival of greenery. “Each flower would serve many honeybees to collect the nectar. I observe with pride that many students and even several of my colleagues have altogether stopped plucking flowers and leaves in their surroundings. Flora and fauna are the best teachers,” says Mr. Sudhakar.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Umashanker / Chittoor – March 11th, 2019

Water resource department bags Global Platinum Award-2019 for HR, skill development

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Water Resources department bagged Global Platinum Award-2019 for human resources and skill development.

Vijayawada :

Water Resources department bagged Global Platinum Award-2019 for human resources and skill development. The Energy and Environment Foundation of India, Delhi, presented the award during the 9th World PetroCoal Congress and Expo held in Delhi on February 17. Delegates from 10 countries, including India, participated in the conference.

The award has been presented for the skill development activity to empower farmers in different programmes taken up by the Water Resources department, awareness and skill development programmes for the farmers taken up by Hydrology project and Andhra Pradesh Integrated Irrigation Agriculture Transformation Project. During Polavaram project virtual review meeting, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu congratulated Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Principal Secretary Sasi Bhushan Kumar, joint director Varaprasad Rao and DD Srinivas Nalluri for the achievement.

They informed Naidu that 66 per cent of Polavaram project works have been completed so far. The Chief Minister said Anantapur district stood first in groundwater resource and Kurnool district in river water conservation. He said, Visakhapatnam stands second in groundwater recharge and Kadapa district for reviving water resources.  Stating that water will be taken to Chittoor by March 15, the Chief Minister said that he will attend the ‘Jalasiriki Harathi’ to be organised at Palamaner, Kuppam, Madanapalli, Thamballapalle and Punganur in the district. Naidu said drinking water will be supplied to Madanapalle on a regular basis.

The officials apprised the Chief Minister that Pulichintala, Gundlakamma, Madakasira branch canal and Adavipalli reservoir were ready for inauguration.  They said second phase of Vamsadhara, Vamsadhara-Nagavali linking, Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi phase I works are under progress. Earlier, Naidu released a ground report of Polavaram project presented by Keller company.

Global Platinum Award-2019 was presented in Delhi

The award has been presented for the skill development activity to empower farmers in different programmes taken up by the Water Resources department, awareness and skill development programmes for the farmers taken up by Hydrology project and Andhra Pradesh Integrated Irrigation Agriculture Transformation Project.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Vijayawada / by Express News Service / February 19th, 2019

New software to help assess groundwater data in State

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology
Groundwater Department Deputy Director K.S. Sastry explaining the software-based assessment of groundwater, in Visakhapatnam.
Groundwater Department Deputy Director K.S. Sastry explaining the software-based assessment of groundwater, in Visakhapatnam.

APGRACE will assist in formulating strategies for judicious use of water

Andhra Pradesh has come out with a pioneering software to assess groundwater data and use it to efficiently plan recharge strategies and exploitation of water resources.

The software, developed by the Andhra Pradesh Centre for Financial Systems and Services (APCFS), was used for groundwater-related data collection for 2016-17 (done in 2017-18), and awaits the approval of the State and Central governments. The software is called A.P. Groundwater Resource Assessment, Categorisation and Evaluation (APGRACE).

Using the data, strategies can be worked out on judicious use of water and its conservation.

For instance, non-rechargeable areas and rechargeable areas in the command and non-command areas are readily available, says Deputy Director of Groundwater and Water Audit K.S. Sastry, explaining the efficacy of the data collected using the software.

“Recharge projects coming under the NREGA scheme, like check dams, farm ponds, percolation tanks and contour trenches, may also be planned accordingly, resulting in better utilisation of resources,” Mr. Sastry told The Hindu on Tuesday.

Difficult process

The data collected in 2012-13 was used for computation and calibration in the development of the software.

Estimation of groundwater resources used to be a difficult process with collection of voluminous data from 13 to 14 departments on rainfall, irrigation systems, crops, crop patterns, agricultural wells, recharge structures and utilisation through various means. Doing it manually was a time-taking exercise.

The data is sent to the Union Ministry of Water Resources, with the exercise being carried out every three years after the approval by the State-level Committee. It is used in regulation, development of groundwater and in framing policies and schemes on it.

After the collection of data, it is entered manually on 50 Excel sheets with embedded links, which is a cumbersome process. Another problem was that there was no streamlined process of demarcation. In several states, a block would be taken as a unit while in Andhra Pradesh, an entire village would be considered as a unit. This problem was discussed at the State-level in the department, Mr. Sastry said.

Even Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu felt the need for collecting annual data, he said.

The idea of getting a dedicated software was proposed to then Visakhapatnam Collector Pravin Kumar by Mr. Sastry, who readily approved it and provided the necessary funding. APCFS, which deals with e-governance and IT applications and has a panel of vendors, was approached for the development of the software.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by G.V. Prasada Sarma / Visakhapatnam – February 22nd, 2019

Cage culture of Tilapia on pilot basis

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

With an objective to boost the cage culture of Tilapia farming in the State, the Water Resources department has agreed in-principle to accord permission to take up the project in the reservoirs in AP.

Vijayawada :

With an objective to boost the cage culture of Tilapia farming in the State, the Water Resources department has agreed in-principle to accord permission to take up the project in the reservoirs in AP. The officials from the fisheries department said the project will initially be rolled out on a pilot basis at Madduvalasa Reservoir in Srikakulam district and later would be scaled up to other areas.

The project was undertaken as part of a MoU signed with the USA-based Fishin’ Company, which had entered into a pact with the State government in September last year to produce the targeted 1.7 metric tonnes of Tilapia annually, the officials added.

Tilapia, also known as Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT), is a fast-growing, high-yielding and value buy variety of fish across the globe. “We received an in-principle approval from the Water Resources department to take up the project in Madduvalasa Reservoir,” an official said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Vijayawada / by Express News Service / February 09th, 2019

NRI’s passion to encourage jute cultivation

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nri's / Pio's
Srinubabu Gedela, NRI, addresses farmers’ awareness programme at Rajam in Srikakulam district.
Srinubabu Gedela, NRI, addresses farmers’ awareness programme at Rajam in Srikakulam district.

Huge demand for material in paper and textile industries too, he says

A U.S.-returned NRI and PULSES CEO Srinubabu Gadela wages a war against plastic saying it is ruining the health of the people and the wealth of the farmers with the huge drop in jute production in the backward Srikakulam district. He has been organising meetings for the last few months to make farmers to go back to jute. He says sufficient availability of raw jute would lead to revival of all the closed industries.

Dr. Srinubabu, who hails from Allena village of Burja mandal, completed his post doctorate from the Stanford University and started Omics Interantional Private Limited to facilitate free access of journals for researchers. Later, he established the Pulses Group, a health informatics and health care services in Hyderabad. Dr. Srinubabu, who is not content with his achievements, is keen on enhancing the income sources of farmers by guiding them in the usage of the latest technology and information in agriculture. He has been conducting training programmes for youngsters to become entrepreneurs.

“Thousands of farmers and labourers have fallen victims with little demand for jute cultivation and closure of many industries in Rajam, Bobbili, Vizianagaram and other places. The revival of jute production and processing would certainly minimise the usage of plastic covers and bags. There is huge demand for jute material in paper and textile industries too. That is why I am suggesting the farmers to go back to jute cultivation which is sure to generate more income and employment.”

Ambedkar University Vice-Chancellor Kuna Ramjee said the University would sign an agreement with the Pulses Group in training PG students in a systematic way. “Youngsters from poor families and Telugu medium can also do wonders if they work hard and develop new ideas. That is why we requested its chairman to take up special training programmes and help the PG students to get jobs in reputed firms and start their own industries,” said Dr. Ramjee.

Felicitated

Minister for Human Resources Ganta Srinivasa Rao felicitated Dr. Srinubabu for coming forward to serve the native district. “We should do something for our native places. It will certainly make other well-settled NRIs to utilise their knowledge and wealth to benefit the backward areas,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / K. Srinivasa Rao / Srikakulam – December 11th, 2018

Ongole’s cricket stadium has scary past!

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Sports

The city of Ongole, in Prakasam district, is known for a particular breed of oxen. It’s also known for the CSR Sarma College, where Tollywood star Chiranjeevi studied from 1970-72

File photo of the cricket stadium in Ongole
File photo of the cricket stadium in Ongole

Ongole :

The city of Ongole, in Prakasam district, is known for a particular breed of oxen. It’s also known for the CSR Sarma College, where Tollywood star Chiranjeevi studied from 1970-72. Few know that the cricket ground at CSR Sarma College has a unique history.

It’s perhaps the only cricket ground in India which is built on a burial ground. It was home to venomous snakes and other wild creatures.  It was in 2008 when the Prakasam District Cricket Association (PDCA) and the college decided to sign a memorandum of understanding to build a quality stadium, which the city lacked.

“A decade ago, this place was in a totally different state,” says PDCA secretary Pratap Kumar. “It used to be a burial ground and was even named as crime zone. Since 2008, we have been developing it gradually. The ground, with a hillock in the backdrop, had a pond, 15 feet in depth. We dumped almost 16,000 truck loads of soil and renovated a lot to make it look like this.”

Looking like any other cricket venue now, this ground has hosted four Ranji Trophy matches. The fifth, between Andhra and Tamil Nadu, starts on Tuesday. “The eastern side is where we put up chairs. During the last match, crowds turned up in huge numbers to watch Shreyas Iyer and Prithvi Shaw in action. We can expect a sizeable turnout for the Tamil Nadu tie, although it would be more exciting if Dinesh Karthik and R Ashwin were in the team,” said Pratap.

The main objective of the ACA to set up a cricket ground amidst unusual surroundings was to develop cricket at the grassroots. “We saw the potential to have a stadium here. With BCCI’s permission we allowed PDCA to host matches. Our aim is to conduct matches in every district. Wherever there are facilities, we grant them permission to organise first-class matches,” ACA general secretary Arun Kumar said.

With the aim to improving infrastructure, PDCA has arranged a 12-foot sight screen. The ground is equipped with underground cables (both electrical and optical), six cameras for recording the match, two air-conditioned rooms for video analysts, BCCI match referees and scorers.

Conducting matches during rainy season does not pose any hurdle despite the ground lacking an advanced drainage system. “Water drains out automatically. With a low hillock, even if it rains heavily, we can resume the match an hour after rain stops,” explained Pratap.

It was in January 2015 that the ground got the nod to host its maiden Ranji match. The first four-day match saw Andhra taking on Tripura. In four Ranji matches it has hosted till date, the Andhra-Mumbai encounter which took place last November witnessed nearly 7,000 spectators.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Srinidhi PR / Express News Service / November 20t, 2018

Four young engineers turn innovators, develop solar electric auto

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

The vehicle which can travel at a speed of 55 kmph,  is on par with commercial autos in the market in many aspects. The maintenance cost of the zero-emission auto is bare minimum.

Image used for representational purpose only.
Image used for representational purpose only.

Srikakulam :

Four mechanical engineering graduates have developed a solar electric auto-rickshaw. Instead of opting for jobs in automobile industries after completion of their engineering course, the quartet decided to set up their own automobile unit to be self-reliant. Vavilapalli Uday Kiran, Sasapu Vasudeva Rao, Majji Chanti Babu and Karanam Parthasaradhi launched their pilot project in the name of Vajra Motor Works in Srikakulam a few months ago.

They designed the solar-cum-battery operated auto in just 15 days and launched it in the district on a pilot basis. The quartet claimed that it took only three days for them to make the solar electric auto.
The dual-mode auto runs on solar power in daytime and battery power is used at night. The auto can travel a distance ranging from 110 to 160 km with three-hour charging of battery.  It can carry a load of up to one tonne and accommodate seven persons.

The vehicle which can travel at a speed of 55 kmph,  is on par with commercial autos in the market in many aspects. The maintenance cost of the zero-emission auto is bare minimum.

Highlighting the salient features of the eco-friendly solar electric auto, Uday Kiran says, “It costs Rs 440 on an average to run a diesel auto for a distance ranging from 110 to 160 km. The operation cost of the solar electric auto for the same distance is not more than Rs 40. If the government extends support to our innovative project, employment can be generated for mechanical engineering graduates in the district. We have already explained our innovative project to the officials concerned seeking the support of the government to expand it.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by G. Ramesh Babu / Express News Service / November 13th, 2018