Category Archives: Green Initiatives / Environment

BMTC goes green, will try out battery-powered buses in July

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All
The buses are cost-efficient, like other battery-powered vehicles | EPS
The buses are cost-efficient, like other battery-powered vehicles | EPS

Come July and BMTC commuters from Shantinagar depot can look forward to travelling in Bangalore’s first battery-powered bus.

With rising fuel costs and increasing pollution, the BMTC is getting into an agreement with a private company, Utopia Automation and Control, for a three-month field trial of the bus, named K-9. If K-9, which costs an estimated `2 crore after a 40 per cent subsidy, can handle Bangalore’s speed breakers and pot-holes, the BMTC will work out the purchase details.

“Our buses, on an average, travel about 220 kms across the city. If the bus cannot meet this requirement, commuters could be stranded and we want to avoid this,” BMTC managing director Anjum Parvez told Express.

Currently operational in China and manufactured by BYD Auto Co Ltd, the K-9 is said to be able to travel up to 250 km after charging the battery for about 3-6 hours. It is air-conditioned and has a seating capacity of 33+1, and can reach speeds of up to 90 km per hour.

“In three months, we hope to get an idea about the quality of the bus, its capability to cope with the traffic and whether the operational cost of the bus is worth the investment,” said Parvez.

With over 5,000 K-9 buses plying in countries such as Australia, the Netherlands and the USA, Vishwas Shetty, director, Utopia Automation and Control, is confident that their buses will pass Bangalore’s test.

“We had to make a couple of changes to the bus to ensure that it was able to operate on Indian roads — for instance the ground clearance had to be increased to comfortably go over speed-breakers. Before the bus is brought to India, it has to be cleared by the Automobile Research Institute of India. This usually takes about two months. But the tests should be cleared by the end of May,” he said.

Shetty said a complete charge of the bus requires about 400kW of electricity. “A readymade kit is available, which will be installed at the Shantinagar depot. It takes about two days,” he said.

Shetty said the buses are cost-efficient, like other battery-powered vehicles. “Operation costs are very low — about  Rs 4 per km. For a Volvo A/C bus, this is `18 per km. Apart from charging the bus and changing tyres, there are hardly any other maintenance costs. It does not even require oil,” he points out.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Merlin Francis – Bangalore / March 16th, 2013

Lighting up lives of the underprivileged

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

Dharwad :

Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank which covers nine districts of north and coastal Karnataka has come up with a scheme to attract students to school in association with Selco Solar Company, under a programme called “Light for Education”, which is being implemented in a few government schools.

According to a study, about ten percent of the children who go to government primary schools do not have electric lights in their homes. It is more so among the nomadic tribes, who go from place to place. It is their children who suffer the most as they are forced to read in the dim light of an oil or kerosene lamp. This nips most of their aspirations and creativity in the bud.

“Not only that, using kerosene lamps is dangerous as well, as we have heard of incidents of lamps falling on dozing children leading to fatal accidents. It is in this background that the bank has decided to help students with safe lights,” said KVGB chairman Sambasiva Reddy.

Under the programme, 50 students are identified and given solar lamps. The importance of this programme is that the batteries of these lamps can be charged only at the school where charging unit will be placed. The unit is a large one which can charge up to twenty five batteries at a time. Since the lamps can be charged at the school, children who use the lamps should necessarily come to school for charging. Lamps are made of good quality but since it cannot be charged independently, there can be no malpractice and it cannot be sold by unscrupulous persons and even by drunken parents. The lamps will be given to children studying in fourth standard and they can use it till they complete their seventh standard.

The Bank and Selco Solar Company have cast a responsibility on the school to maintain the solar charging panel and to keep track of the fifty solar lamps given to their students. The lamp and the solar panel will be serviced by Selco Solar Company.

The first beneficiary under the said scheme is the Government Kannada Primary School No.7, situated on Savadatti Road, Dharwad which has sheltered only students of poor background.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hubli / by Gururaj Jamkhandi, TNN / March 31st, 2013

The solar man on a mission

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

solarBF30mar2013

By S.N. Venkatnag Sobers

He is no engineer or a scientist or a scholar with great knowledge, but a humble person who is on a mission to create awareness about the need to make environment free from pollution. Meet Syed Sajjad Ahamed, a Bangalorean, who has been travelling across the country with his handmade Solar Car in an effort to create awareness about environmental hazards.

Syed Sajjad Ahamed, born to a poor family in Kolar, is a Class 12 drop-out. During his schooling he even struggled to pass 8th std. His father worked as manager in a transport company in Kolar, where he spent his childhood and later shifted to Bangalore. Sajjad Ahamed after being unsuccessful in his studies, did not stop but was determined enough to come out with innovations by altering some of the vehicles that were already in the market.

At first, Sajjad Ahamed came out with electrically powered Luna in 2002. The speciality of the vehicle was that it used to operate by charging the batteries without using petrol. In case of batteries going dry, the vehicle would operate through petrol. Speaking to Star of Mysore, Sajjad Ahamed said that though he was a college drop-out, he was very much interested in experimenting with things available in the market and that is how he developed and came out with innovations of his own.

Sajjad Ahamed did not stop with Luna. He later came out with an electrically operated autorickshaw which was a success but unfortunately could not be taken forward as none of the manufacturers or companies came forward to take up further research on the product.

Sajjad said, “None of the companies have come forward to even look at the innovations that I have come out with. They fear that supporting the product I invented would hurt their products which are already in the market.”

However, many organisations have helped Sajjad in his endeavour to come out with solar powered vehicles. Institutions such as Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited, Raman Research Institute, Exide, have all been encouraging Sajjad by providing him with necessary materials to conduct his research. He has also been assisting engineering students about the manufacturing of solar powered automobiles for their projects. “I wanted to become a professor, but I couldn’t complete my studies. I am satisfied that at least I have been able to assist engineering students in their projects”, added Sajjad.

Sajjad has till now not patented any of his innovations. When asked about the reason, he said “If I patent there will be a problem for interested people who want to take up similar work in the future. I have left the options open for the people. Anybody can come and take it forward and I will assist them in coming out similar with products.”

Currently, Sajjad has been travelling on Solar Car Mark II, which was innovated by him. He has travelled about 1,000 kms in the car which can travel at a speed of about 15 kms/ hr and can cover 150 kms/per day. The car is enabled with 500 Watt Solar panels compared to 250 watt solar panel in his first Solar Car which he came out previously. Sajjad has travelled to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana and other States in his car. During his journey Sajjad stops by colleges and schools to educate them about the environmental hazards and enlighten them about the need to protect the environment from pollution in order to make the world an ideal place for living.

He not only creates awareness on pollution but also is a volunteer of anti-corruption. He has the posters of Swami Vivekananda, Anna Hazare and other great personalities through which he tries to inspire young minds to take lead in crusade against corruption. He distributes pamphlets to people during his journey regarding need to control pollution and corruption. “I want to ignite young minds to come forward and take up the mantle of leading the country forward. Youngsters should be educated and awarded about their duties”, said Sajjad.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> Feature Articles / March 24th, 2013

Uni-, multi-, it’s your choice honey

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

HoneyBF25mar2013

An interested visitor at the Honey Festival in Bangalore on Saturday. /  Photo: V. Sreenivasa  Murthy / The Hindu

If you are looking for the rare unifloral honey, head to Lalbagh Botanical Gardens where the two-day Honey Festival is under way. Unifloral honey in lychee, cajanus, clover, acacia and ajwain are among those that are on display, along with multilforal honey that is commonly available in the market.

Unifloral honey, sourced from different parts of the country and processed here, has a distinct flavour that the multifloral honey lacks. Though expensive (some cost double that of normal honey which costs between Rs. 200 and Rs. 250 a kg), these uniflorals are in demand.

Drawing interest

Not only is the festival one of its kind in the city, it will provide you with a glimpse of honey production and processing. The body suit, face mask, hive tools, box stand and migration kit have been displayed to help the public understand all aspects of apiculture.

Also on offer is a combo of honey with bun, fruits, ice-cream, dry fruits, gulkand and tea. “We have tried out various combinations of honey that is tasty and healthy. Those who have tasted them are giving us good feedback,” said J.D. Shivakumar of Prakruthi, which is planning to open an outlet in Kalyan Nagar here to promote the combo brand.

The festival, at M.H. Marigowda Memorial Hall in Lalbagh, has attracted a number of honey producers, processors, traders, co-operative societies, research institutes and universities. Apart from the direct sales of honey and honey-based products, the festival also has an interactive workshop on promotion of apiculture in the State.

Principal Secretary, Department of Horticulture, M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda, said though there is an annual demand for 8,000 tonnes of honey, the State is able to produce just about 4,000 tonnes. “Karnataka has the potential to produce 10,000 tonnes of honey annually and apiculture needs to be promoted among farmers,” he added.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Bangalore, March 24th, 2013

‘Grow mushrooms and enjoy protein-rich food

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

Mushroom seed packets to be produced for the first time in city

Mysore, Mar. 11

MushroomBF16mar2013Mushroom seed packets are being prepared in Mysore for the first time in the State, said Dr. M.S. Raju, Senior Assistant Director of the Horticulture Department, State Zone.

He was delivering the presidential address at the day-long training programme on mushroom cultivation held under the aegis of Laboratory Development Scheme of the Horticulture Department at Kukkarahalli lake here recently.

“A total of 15,000 packets weighing 250 grams and costing Rs. 10 each will be distributed among unemployed youth, women and farmers,” he said and added that the protein-rich mushrooms have great demand within the country and in foreign markets, fetching good revenue for the farmers.

“A week-long training in mushroom cultivation will be provided in Mysore city itself,” he said and added that along with the Watermelon Mela and Mango Mela, Mushroom Mela too will be held in the next month.

“Nutrition can be increased by consuming mushroom as a regular diet. Apart from being protein-rich, it helps in curing anemia, reduces body fat and controls diabetes,” said Dr. Raju.

Prof. Janardhan of the Department of Botany, Mysore University, speaking on the occasion, said that mushroom can be easily cultivated as a commercial crop using moist paddy straw. Mushrooms are the fruit-bearing parts of fungus whose extracts are used for manufacturing anti-biotic drugs, tonics, etc.

“In the future days of climate change and scarcity of agricultural land, growing food crops using less land and less manure with less effort is a challenge,” he said and urged farmers to take up mushroom cultivation.

Information Dept. Asst. Director G. Chandrakantha launched the training programme.

Asst. Horticulture Officer Narayan welcomed, Assistant Horticulture Officer (Technical) Pooja and others were present.

More than 100 participants of the training programme were given a demonstration of mushroom cultivation.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / March 11th, 2013

This 73-year-old man is a green warrior

Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature

Mallikarjun Shetty , a 73-year-old retired superintendent  engineer , is known as Anna Hazare  of Belgaum for his activism in protecting the environment. He was instrumental in getting the construction of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha shifted from Vaccine Depot to the present location at Halaga Bastwad.

Shetty, who worked with Maharashtra Electricity Supply Board, threatened to go on a hunger strike if Suvarna Vidhana Soudha was constructed at Vaccine Depot. The 200-acre land is full of trees and houses lot of animals and birds. He wrote many letters to the chief minister urging that Vaccine Depot be protected and came down heavily on the government for the proposed indoor stadium at the spot. He has also planted thousands of trees in Belgaum and also in Maharashtra. Shetty also creates awareness among people, especially the student community, about the importance of ecological balance. He has distributed nearly 200 eco-friendly bags to students and public. He is also credited with introducing door-to-door garbage collection in his area, which was the first in Belgaum city. The system was later followed across the city.

He also creates awareness on the judicious use of water and rainwater harvesting.

Every morning, armed with a broom, Shetty sweeps his locality and bus stand in Hanumanagar. Incidentally, Shetty joined hands with a philanthropist and helped construct the bus stand in Hanumanagar in 2003.

Sunil Basavaraj Nimbal, a businessperson, who was inspired by Shetty’s work, says: “He is a role model. Even at this age, he is very active. Inspired by his concern for the environment, I started using the bicycle instead of my bike or car.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hubli / by R. Uday Kumar, TNN / February 24th, 2013

Bamboo markets proposed at Sankeshwar, Shimoga

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

‘Intention is to provide market linkage for bamboo growers’

As part of an initiative to promote bamboo cultivation and create a marketing network for bamboo, it has been proposed to set up bamboo markets at Sankeshwar and Shimoga in Karnataka.

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of the Bamboo Mela here on Tuesday, Chief Conservator of Forests of National Forestry Action Programme (NFAP) and Liaison Officer for Karnataka for National Bamboo Mission A.C. Keshavamurthy said that the proposals were aimed at providing market linkage for bamboo growers.

Mr. Keshavmurthy said that the structure of the bamboo markets was being worked out. “We are contemplating whether to have an APMC yard type set-up for the bamboo market. We will plan and send a proposal to the bamboo mission for approval and release of funds,” he said.

Market at Kushalnagar?

To a query, Mr. Keshavmurthy said that initially, a bamboo market was to be set up at Bangalore, but the idea was dropped in view of huge transportation costs.

“However, we are considering setting up a bamboo market at Kushalnagar in Kodagu.

“It is still in the planning stage,” he said.

He said that market linkage and other programmes related to bamboo cultivation would be easier if growers came forward with declarations regarding cultivation of bamboo.

It would also become easy for the Forest Department to extend facilities and subsidies to them.

Subsidy given

He said that, at present, a subsidy of Rs. 8,000 an acre was being given to growers if they took up micro-irrigation to cultivate bamboo. Even bamboo saplings were being supplied at subsidised rates to SC/ST farmers as well as marginal farmers.

Mr. Keshavmurthy said that there was a need to extend subsidies to all farmers cultivating bamboo. The bamboo mission was yet to take a decision on it.

He said that though the bamboo mission had written letters to the State government and all deputy commissioners on creating awareness about schemes for the promotion of bamboo cultivation, officials at the district- and taluk-level seemed indifferent.

He said unless the officials were interested and created awareness, it would be difficult to motivate farmers.

  • ‘We will send a proposal to bamboo mission for approval, funding’
  • ‘There is a need to extend subsidies to all farmers cultivating bamboo’
  • _________________________________________________________________________
  • source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Hubli, February 20th, 2013

    • Mysore to host its first organic fair next week

    Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

    Mysore :

    This weekend,  organic farmers  and consumers of the Mysore region will converge at Curzon Park , adjoining Mysore Palace , in large numbers.

    After its success in Bangalore, the department of horticulture is organizing a two-day Organic fair  in Mysore from February 9-10.

    Such an Organic fair is being organized for the first time in Mysore, with a view to encourage organic farmers.

    The fair aims to provide a platform to producers to exhibit their unique produces and sell them directly to the consumers, to facilitate farmer groups to establish linkages with other organic market functionaries including retail outlets processors and wholesale dealers and also help consumers.

    Different types of organically grown vegetables and fruits like Nanjangud Rasabale, grapes, sapota, guava, papaya and yellaki banana, will be exhibited at the two-day event.

    Apart from this, variety of rice like Gandhasale, jeerige sanna, rajmudi, redrice and jaya rice and millets like Ragi navane, sajje, arka, same and jowar will be available in the fair besides processed organic food items like jams, jellies, chutneys, juices, cold pressed oil and cosmetics.

    Horticulture additional director K Ramakrishnappa on Sunday told reporters we are on a mission to promote organic farming in Karnataka as food safety is considered as an important issue in developing national. People are increasingly concerned over food quality these because of intensive agricultural practices and pollution.

    As organic farming aims at production of quality and safe agricultural products by following eco-friendly farming system and restores soil health, we are aiming to encourage farmers in the region. We will promote our activities under banner Jaivik Krishik society, which is a consortium of 121 organic farmers and 30 organic farming groups.

    As per our study, a farmer willing to shift from convention farming system to organic farming have to wait for atleast two years for better yield. Though the yield is less compared to other methods, the produce will be rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber besides retaining nutrient levels for longer days unlike conventional produce grown by using chemicals, the additional director claimed.

    The two-day fair will be inaugurated on February 9 at 10.30am and will be open to the public between 10.30am and 6pm. Nearly 20,000 people are expected at the fair along with a sale of over 50 tonnes of organic products.

    Horticulture deputy director H M Nagaraj said that an organic food court will be opened at the venue to popularize organic produces and products.

    source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / by Lawrence Milton, TNN / February 03rd, 2013

    Lalbagh Flower Show 2013: Flower show, a brilliant work of art

    Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment

    A Bangalorean visits the Lalbagh Flower show and finds much joy and photo ops.

    I would like to share my joy and happiness on visiting the Lalbagh Flower Show organised by the Horticultural Department of Government of Karnataka.

    Every year, they focus on a theme – this year the idea was to celebrate Republic Day and the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The department has put in a great deal of hard work in the excellent arrangement of flowers, vegetables and potted plants.

     

    The show was inaugurated on January 18th and is open till January 28th.

    Feel free to share the pictures with your friends and relatives so that everybody enjoys the beauty of Mother Nature seen at Bangalore twice a year.

    This year, there is a parking problem as no vehicles can enter the garden area. Visitors have to park their vehicles elsewhere and walk to the venue. Despite this, the visit is worth as such flower arrangements are rare. Congratulations to the Horticultural Department team for such a fantastic show.

    Srinivasan S is a resident of Chikkallasandra.

    source: http://www.bangalore.citizenmatters.in / By S. Srinivasan / January 23rd, 2013

    Lalbagh gets ready for annual Republic Day flower show

    Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

    Floral Eiffel Tower highlight of 11-day show beginning January 18

    The annual Republic Day flower show, organised by the Department of Horticulture and Mysore Horticultural Society, will open to the public on January 18 and will go on till January 28. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is expected to inaugurate the show.

    The main attraction at this year’s show will be a 35-foot high floral replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Meant as a floral tribute to Gustave Eiffel, who erected the Eiffel Tower in 1889, the replica will be decorated with more than 2.5 lakh roses and more than 10,000 orchids. It will occupy pride of place at the Glass House. The flower show comprises exhibition of potted plants and cut flowers, Thai art, Jannur, Ikebana, Indian Floral Art, Bonsai and vegetable carving.

    Competing teams

    The gardening competition will witness teams from the Raj Bhavan, various ministers’ official residences, public sector undertakings, the Indian Institute of Management and gardens on defence properties competing with private sector entities such as Leela Palace, Taj West End, Infosys and Wipro. The organisers have so far received 772 competition entries.

    Noted botanical firms such as Florens Flora, Fruit Land and Eden Lora (Bonsai Collections) are also participating.

    The dates

    While the main show will be inaugurated on January 18, the Ikebana, Indian Floral Art, vegetable carving and Bonsai exhibition will be inaugurated on January 19. Winners of various competitions will be felicitated by Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath on January 24. The same day has been specially earmarked for school students who have free entry to the exhibition.

    Entry fee is Rs.40 for adults and Rs.10 for children.

    source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Staff Reporter / January 16th, 2013