Extension Programs

Beach Cleaning 2024

Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala

International Coastal Clean-up Day – September 21, 2024

 

Measuring Air quality@Brahmapuram fire using MAAQMS

Ecorestoration Programs^more..

United Nations General Assembly declared 2021-2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. This mainly aims the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems as a proven measure to fight the climate crisis and enhance food security, water supply and biodiversity. Based on this, the School of Environmental Sciences started the eco-restoration programmes in association with the Forest Department, Govt. of Kerala and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The School has undertaken the restoration of the degraded riparian forest of Chalakkudy River with financial support from UNDP. Dr. Mahesh Mohan, Assistant Professor of the School of Environmental Sciences, was the PI of the project. The students of CLENS and BMC actively participated in the ecorestoration program.

THE SCHOOL AS A PART OF AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV

Under GoI GEF UNDP IHRML Project, an island named “Punarjani” in Chalakkudy River at Vazhachal is been restored by the Vana Samrakshana Samithies (VSS) of Vazhachal and Chalakkudy Forest Development Agencies based on the strategy developed by the School of Environmental Science, Mahatma Gandhi University in consultation with Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department. The restoration involves the identification of suitable riparian native species, the development of site-specific strategy considering soil erosion and other environmental and ecological attributes, raising and planting of seedlings and its monitoring. As part of celebrating “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” of the Government of India to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Independence, the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change has been undertaking various events related to Biodiversity Conservation across various Rivers in India on 21st December 2021.

The Vazhachal Forest Development Agency, Vazhachal Forest Division and School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University together celebrated the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” by planting about 50 seedlings of native species raised at Vazhachal nursery. The event was inaugurated by the Section Forest Officer, Shri Ramanarayanan T B in the presence of Dr Mahesh Mohan (Asst. Professor, School of Environmental Sciences), Principal Investigator, Riparian ecosystem restoration Project of IHRML Project and Dr Rameshan M (Project Officer, Conservation and Ecology, UNDP). Nearly 22 VSS members participated in the programme of which 16 are women participants.

Restoration at Pampadum shola National park

The grasslands of Pampadumshola has been converted into timber plantations by planting exotic species such as Eucalyptus and Wattle. These exotic species….more..

 

Rainwater for Humanity 

The School has launched a major extension programme known as ‘Rainwater for Humanity’ in collaboration with Brown University (USA) and local panchayath, self help groups. Through this extension programme, the School envisages to adopt small villages with an objective of providing basic amenities like drinking water and sanitation. As a part of this programme the School has installed a community rainwater harvesting structure (1.2 lakh liter & 18 (15,000-18,000 liters) at Achinakom Panchayath in Kuttanadu region.  Construction of additional rain water harvesting tanks are in progress as the part of OSI.

The School is giving training programme on environmental quality assessment and other advanced areas of research for school and college teachers. It also extends help to the District Disaster Management Authority in their disaster management activities. 

Beach Cleaning 2019

Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala

International Coastal Clean-up Day – September 21,2019

Venue: Alleppey Beach, Alappuzha, Kerala

 Coordinator:

Dr. E.V. Ramasamy, Professor & Director

International Coastal Clean-up Day was observed successfully by School of Environmental Sciences (SES), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam, Kerala on September 21,2019 in association with National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), MoES, Govt of India, along with Sanatana Dharma (SD) College, Alappuzha, Kerala and Suchitwa Mission (Local Self Government Department –LSGD, Govt. Of Kerala), Alappuzha Unit at Alleppey Beach, Alappuzha, Kerala. Dr. E. V. Ramasamy , Director of the school (Coordinator of ICC-2019), faculty members, Doctoral and Post- Doctoral fellows, Masters students and non-teaching staff of SES, MG University assembled at Alleppey Beach, Alappuzhaat 7:00 AM on September 21, 2019.Representative of Suchitwa Mission Alappuzha Unit, Kerela , Port office, and Students of SD college, Alappuzha joined the team at the venue. Dr.Adeela Abdulla IAS, District Collector, Alappuzha, was the chief guest of the program. Prof. E.V. Ramasamy Dean and Director, SES M.G.University (Coordinator of ICC-2019) welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importanceof having a cleaner coast and ICC-2019 , also explained briefly the awareness activities included under ICC -2019.

Pathiramanal Island Cleaning