New Delhi, India: On the occasion of Van Mahotsav 2024 the University of the Future, NIIT University (NU), presents Sustainability Impact Report 2024, showcasing the long-standing initiatives undertaken by NU to nurture the Aravalli range and the surrounding areas. Established in 2009, NU’s Green Campus in Neemrana is compliant with all regional environmental norms, boasting of buildings with effective green architectural design parameters, thereby significantly reducing carbon footprint. The campus has retained the Natural Lay of the Land by adapting structures to the surface contours, thus drastically reducing the impact of construction on local geology.
Talking about the initiatives undertaken over the last 14 years, Major General AK Singh (Retd), Dean – Student Affairs & Chief Operations Officer, NU, said, “NIIT University’s green initiatives reflect our unwavering dedication to environmental resurrection and sustainability. By reviving the Aravalli hills and implementing innovative water conservation strategies, we are not only enhancing the local ecosystem but also setting a standard of sustainable practices for others to follow.”
Greening of the Aravalli range surrounding the campus by planting over 1 lakh trees. This has significantly improved the green cover of the hills.
Spearheading the Sabi River revival project: Over the last 30 years, the Sabi river, originating from Dhara Ji Ka Mandir in Sikar District, dried up prompting a revival initiative on September 5, 2015, under Dr Rajendra Singh Ji with technical support from the NU GIS team. The project engaging communities across 57 villages along the river has garnered widespread support. Evidence of partial success: Pondage at Masani Barrage.
Water conservation measures adopted by NU have led to arrest in depletion of water table in the campus vis a vis the surrounding areas in the water stressed Neemrana. NU has built 15 Check Dams and 5 Water Harvesting Recharge Pits. Wastewater is recycled through sewage treatment plant and reused for afforestation. Not a single drop of water is taken from outside the campus.
Project Krishna Leela: Two years ago, NIIT University took a significant step to further foster Aravalli’s by collaborating with renowned environmentalist Mr Pradip Krishen for Project Krishna Leela. This project is an attempt to restore a large land parcel on the eastern side of the rocky Aravalli by planting trees that are native to the region. The project is showing success with 90% trees surviving on the rocky surface.
Microclimate around the campus is 2 degrees lower and AQI 50% lesser than the surrounding area owing to the concerted sustainability initiative.
Indian filmmaker and naturalist Pradip Krishen, said, “The Project Krishna Leela began in March’22. Since then, we’ve done a preliminary survey of the vegetation, started collecting seeds; set up our nursery; dug pits and are readying to plant up our first two sites this monsoon. We hope these will serve as models’ that the local team can use to restore the rest of the landscape.”
Sharing her experience of working on The Project Krishna Leela, Tanya Verma, a student with NU’s Sustainability Club said, “The best think that I like about this project is closely understanding and observing nature. We went on a trek with our teachers and got to know about different types of seeds that I had never heard of before.”
NIIT University’s initiatives are a testament to its long-standing commitment to offer vibrant, intellectually stimulating education that seamlessly integrates academic learning with the environment surrounding it. As we celebrate Van Mahotsav 2024, NU continues to lead by example by fostering a greener future and enhancing the quality of life for the local communities residing around the Aravalli region.
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