Green Campus Initiative

Introduction

About GCI

Committee

Initiatives

Awards and Recognition

Documents

About Green Campus Initiative

Welcome to the Green Campus Initiative at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai where sustainability meets education. As a recognized leader in higher education, SVU is committed to integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of campus life, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and innovation. We strive to create a campus where sustainability is not just a practice but a way of life, enriching the learning experience and preparing students to be responsible global citizens.

Objectives of Green Campus Initiative

Resource Efficiency: Optimize energy, water, and paper consumption while promoting waste reduction and recycling.
Biodiversity and Landscaping: Preserve and enhance campus biodiversity through sustainable landscaping practices.
Sustainable Transportation: Encourage eco-friendly commuting options and reduce the campus carbon footprint
Green Infrastructure: Integrate renewable energy sources and sustainable building practices across campus.
Curriculum Integration: Embed sustainability principles into academic programs to educate and empower future leaders.
Community Engagement: Collaborate with local communities to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
Waste Management: Implement a comprehensive waste management system focusing on reduction, segregation, and recycling.
Green Campus Audit: SVU conducts an annual assessment to enhance sustainability practices, focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and green infrastructure. It guides cost-saving measures and fosters a culture of environmental stewardship on campus.

Office Order Re-constitution of Committee for Green Campus Initiatives

Dr. Hema Bhadawkar

Coordinator Green Campus Initiatives

Dr. Sugandha Shetye

Permanent Invitee

Dr. Bharati Choudhary

Coordinator

Mr. Sanjay Lunge

Member

Mrs. Minal Malandkar

Member

Mr. Avinash Ghaiwat

Member

Mr. Sachin Khadaye

Member

Dr. Rupali Patil

Coordinator

Mr. Prakash Agale

Member

Mr. Mahesh Salvi

Member

Ms. Tehseen Raavi

Member

Dr. Bhusnoor S. S

Coordinator

Dr. Rupal Thakkar

Member

Dr. Sagar Marathe

Member

Mr. Pravin Sawant

Member

Mr. Dinesh Acharya

Other Member

Dr. Urmi Thakkar

Other Member

Mr. Dilip Pokal

Other Member

Ms. Aparna Mandlik

Other Member

Biodiversity Garden

Biodiversity garden set up with the financial aid received from Mumbai US consulate, under their mentorship programme for youth leaders working towards environment conservation. This project was initiated to develop urban greening

Solid waste management

Biodigester and vermicompost pits are extensively used to manage solid waste. All the garden and food waste from the canteen goes to compost pits. There are 12 vermicomposting pits with four curing heaps allotted near the new engineering building canteen spread over a 520 sq. mtr. plot. It uses a simple heap culture method while utilising deep burrowing worms.

Rainwater Harvesting

Somaiya Vidyavihar Leads the Way with Rainwater Harvesting Initiative

"Water, Water everywhere but not a drop to drink."

This quote encapsulates the plight of Mumbai residents during the rainy season. Despite being one of the cities with the heaviest rainfall, Mumbai faces severe water shortages, especially during summer. A major reason for this is the drastic decrease in groundwater levels due to urbanization and concretization, which prevents natural rainwater percolation. To address this, Somaiya Vidyavihar University has implemented a comprehensive Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) system across its campus.

Objective

The primary objective of the RWH initiative at Somaiya Vidyavihar is to harvest 5 crore liters of water annually. This includes utilizing 1.5 crore liters through storage tanks and recharging the remaining into the ground. The university aims to become self-sufficient in water in the coming years by addressing its growing water demand and supply shortfall through RWH.

Annual Rainwater Harvesting Data

Year	Reuse of Rainwater (cubic meters) (Approx)	Recharge Ground Aquifer (cubic meters) (Approx)
2022-23	3000	3000
2023-24	3200	3200

Battery-Operated Vehicle

The campus hosts a battery-operated vehicle for intercampus transits and is regularly used by faculties to move within the campus

Biogas Plant

Designated Dustbin in the Campus

UPI-based EV charging station

SVU students achieved a milestone by creating India's first UPI-based EV charging station, seamlessly integrated with apps like Google Pay and Paytm. This innovation eliminates the need for separate wallet top-ups or third-party apps, providing automatic refunds after each charging session. The station adheres to international standards, offering high-capacity (32A) efficient charging for a diverse range of EVs, particularly beneficial for longer-range models. This is University collective vision for a greener, more connected future.

Reduce, Refuse and Recycle Policy:

Reduce: The University has focus on interaction or activity-based learning, resulting in considerable reductions in hardcopy or paper submissions and increased in online or softcopy submissions as a part of continuous assessment.

Refuse: Plastic free Campus : All the canteens in the campus have now stopped using single use plastics such as straws, plastic containers for parcels, or plastic glasses instead, it is focusing on ‘No straw', aluminium foil containers for parcel systems, and paper cups.

Recycle: The institution believes in policy of recycling wherever possible.

Scrap Recycling – Somaiya Campus has a centrally operated scrap handover mechanism by which all the bulk scrap generated from various campuses is handed over to MPCB authorized scrap dealer. The wastepaper, plastic, e-waste, Mild Steel, etc., is sold to the recycling vendors.

All the computers and electronic waste generated from offices and IT laboratories is handed over to designated MPCB authorized e-waste scrap dealer. We have also signed an MoU with M/s. Ecostar Recycling, Mumbai.

College campus is fitted with many dustbin points with facilities to collect segregated waste along with no plastic on campus policy.

Paper Recycling - University has a formal tie up with a paper recycling organization on a regular basis collects the paper waste from college campus on notification.

E-waste Management: The University encourages segregation and collection of e-waste for recycling, for which red colour labelled bins are available.

Landscaping- Open spaces:

Open spaces at SVU are thoughtfully designed that integrate landscaping, pathways, and recreational spots. These spaces enhance the aesthetic appeal of the campus, providing students and the University community with an inviting environment and functional areas for various activities.

Butterfly Garden

Founders Garden

Gargi Plaza

Nakshatra Garden

Wastewater Treatment

There is a separate treatment facility (ETP: Effluent Treatment Plant) installed near the hostel for treating wastewater coming from the kitchen, lab, and other facilities.