Tag eco-friendly

Biomimicry – learning from nature!

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Bangalore: BMS Institute of Technology and Management (BMSIT) organised a Biomimicry event on 22 April 2026. GREEN CIRCLE and the BMS eco club, OIKOS, jointly organised the event to mark World Earth Day. Biomimicry is the practice of learning from nature and using those ideas to solve human problems. The eco club initiative engaged 53 students across 10 teams, each presenting live working models based on biomimicry principles. The projects focused on real-world applications such as water conservation, climate-responsive design, disaster resilience, and sustainable infrastructure. Key innovations included termite mound-inspired passive cooling systems, honeycomb-structured columns, lotus leaf-inspired self-cleaning surfaces, penguin body-based insulation, spider web-inspired earthquake-resistant structures, etc. The models were evaluated by a panel of three juries, including one industry expert, L. R. Phanindra, GE Healthcare, to ensure a balanced assessment of technical feasibility, innovation, and societal relevance. Projects were also mapped to relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasising their contribution to areas such as clean water, sustainable cities, and climate action. Says Prof Rajesh, ‘the event highlighted the potential of nature-inspired solutions in addressing societal needs and stands as a replicable model supporting the objectives of the Bharat Environment Programme’. The best models were awarded in the felicitation ceremony on the same day. First prize was bagged by Manisha Ramisetty’s team, while second and third places were secured by Anagh Manivarnan’s team and Darshan Gowda’s team, respectively. Dr V. Selvarajan, Green Circle, made a presentation on an eco STP model at People’s Trust based on the cow’s four-chamber stomach designed on the biomimicry principle.  Speaking on the occasion, Principal of BMS IT & M, Dr Sanjay H. A. lauded the efforts of the eco club and encouraged them to do some extracurricular activity on every Saturday. Harish Uthaiah, People’s Trust and Kumar Kalyandurg, Green Circle, were present. Jury members of the Drawing competition, Dr V Selvarajan, Vasantha Kumar, Green Circle, Sreelakshmi B. K., Lumen Technologies and L. R. Phanindra, GE Healthcare, were honoured on the occasion. Rakshitha V, Nedium Chandana, Bhoomika S B, and Machireddy Dhanitha were also awarded the prizes for winning the drawing competition.

Can’t speak or hear, gave voice for Earth

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Bengaluru, April 22: Oceanik Education Society observed World Earth Day with an environmental awareness programme at its campus, drawing participation from 167 students and 39 staff members. Dr. V. Selvarajan, Chairman of Green Circle Bangalore, attended as Chief Guest, alongside Harish Uthaiah, Managing Trustee of People’s Trust and Kumar Kalyandurg, Secretary, Green Circle, as Guests of Honour. The Institution encourages inclusive education where differently abled children go hand in hand with other students who foster fraternity and friendship. The event featured inter-college competitions in drawing, painting, poster-making, and essay writing, with prizes awarded to winners. A parallel seedball activity led to the preparation of around 1,050 seed balls for afforestation efforts. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Selvarajan highlighted the urgency of climate action, pointing to rising temperatures, food wastage, and increasing waste generation. He urged students to adopt sustainable practices and follow the principle “Think Globally, Act Locally.” The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, leaving students inspired to contribute towards environmental conservation. Principal Prof. Shobha K. M. welcomed all.  The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Ravi. Dr. N.M. Poovaiah, Founder of the Institution, felicitated all.

Green ideas during summer camp

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Bangalore: Sai Shankar Vidhya Shala, a rural school at People’s Trust campus in Sriramanahalli, Yelahanka, Bangalore, organised a summer camp for the children from villages. About 30 children participated in the camp. Children were taught Yoga, meditation, dance, and robotics, as well as eco-friendly crafts like paper bag making, Food chain game, Biodiversity Appreciation Album making, and Poster making on what children can do to save the environment. The camp was inaugurated on 14.4.26 by V Selvarajan. Ganga Bhavani, Head Mistress, Sai Shankar Vidhya Shala welcomed the gathering. Hairsh Uthaiah, Managing Trustee of People’s Trust, delivered the keynote address and thanked everyone for joining. Some fun activities and painting programs were also part of the program. Kumar Kalyandurg of Green Circle says that such summer camps engage the children usefully during the holidays. Meenakshi Bose, an artist, guided the students to make paper bags. She also displayed her acrylic paintings during the camp. Shyna and Chalapathi of People’s Trust trained the students in Yoga and meditation. Teachers Rajini, Rathnamma, Vishavani, Pavithra, Sunitha and Venkatesh volunteered to manage the camp. School Administrator Neetha Uthaiah supervised the camp events.

10 small climate action ideas!

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Bangalore: On 1st April 2026, a Community Organisation Programme focusing on Climate Action Initiatives was conducted by Rohan Benoy and Roshan K. Thomas, students from Kristu Jayanti College. The event was organised for 40 students from classes 6 and 7 of the Total Residential Education Program (TREP) at Sri Sathya Sai Shankar Vidyanikethanam at People’s Trust, Sriramanahalli, Rajanukunte, Bangalore. The objective of the programme was to raise awareness among young students about the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable living, especially in light of the pressing global challenge of climate change. The speaker on the occasion, Dr V. Selvarajan, Chairman, Green Circle, told the children that climate action is possible at their level if they adopt certain environment-friendly simple actions. He gave a list of 10 points and advised the students to practice the same. The other speakers included Harish Uthaiah, Managing Trustee of People’s Trust and Kumar Kalyandurg of Green Circle. Topics covered included waste reduction, resource conservation, and the adoption of eco-friendly habits in daily life. The students came away with the understanding that small actions can lead to significant impacts. They learned practical methods to tackle environmental challenges, such as minimising plastic use, planting trees, saving water, and embracing sustainable alternatives in their routines. The organizer of the program Rohan, said that this program was aimed at enhancing students’ understanding of climate issues and inspiring them to engage in environmental conservation. It fostered a sense of responsibility for a sustainable future.  Roshan adds, ‘After listening to the talk, I feel that children can contribute a lot in the form of simple climate action initiatives.’

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Think big, start a little!

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

A report by Kumar Kalyandurg, Secretary Green Circle Bangalore

The occasion was the orientation workshop for freshers in BMS Institute. The session was ‘ecosensitisation of the new entrants’. As usual, Selva ji, with full energy, presented a very much educative & informative session about the conducive Environment at BMSIT Engineering College for 1st Semester Engineering Students. Sir also conducted a simple quiz involving students on the dais with little of humor added to the ambience. He also emphasized the need for improvising creativity in all spheres to excel. The PPT presentation was superb, with interaction with the students. Overall, the session was a memorable one for both the students and faculty. On behalf of Selva Sir & Green Circle, saying ‘Thank you’, Dr (Prof.) Tejaswini for all your efforts in conducting / coordinating such a lovely Session for the new comers to BMSIT.

E-Waste camp 2

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

As part of our ongoing commitment to promote responsible e-waste management and environmental awareness, an awareness session was conducted at Happy Homes Society, organized by Ms. Romila Gandhi, the Delhi coordinator from Green Circle. The session saw active participation from around 40 residents, making it an engaging and community-centric event The session opened with a comprehensive overview of e-waste—its definition, environmental impact, and the crucial role each individual can play in managing it responsibly. The format encouraged active participation, allowing attendees to engage with the content and clarify doubts.

Participants gained insight into what constitutes e-waste, including everyday items like outdated phones, chargers, and electronic accessories, which require careful handling due to hazardous components. The hazards of informal e-waste collection, including health risks and environmental damage caused by unsafe handling and processing, were contrasted with the benefits of formal, regulated recycling processes that ensure safe disposal and resource recovery. The role of manufacturers and producers in managing e-waste through EPR frameworks was explained, highlighting accountability across the product lifecycle. The importance of segregation, regular collection, and active community participation in waste management practices was emphasized to promote a cleaner, healthier environment. The session witnessed vibrant interaction from residents, with thoughtful questions and shared experiences enriching the discussion. The immediate impact was evident as residents brought in e-waste items, contributing to a successful on-site collection. This hands-on involvement demonstrated the community’s commitment to adopting better waste management habits. Ms. Romila will coordinate with the society head to finalize the date for the collection. She will inform us once the schedule is confirmed, ensuring smooth and timely follow-up for further e-waste collection. The awareness session at Happy Homes Society was a significant step forward in fostering environmental consciousness and responsible e-waste disposal. The combination of detailed discussions, resident engagement, and the practical collection drive set a positive precedent for future initiatives. In the session, the upcoming Green Mela on 1.11.25 was also discussed, encouraging individuals to collaborate and contribute to this community event. Green Circle remains dedicated to supporting such community efforts, aiming to cultivate sustainable practices and collective environmental stewardship.

E-Waste Camp 1

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

17th May 2025 Venue: Nayantara Apartment, Sector 7, Dwarka, New Delhi 

Introduction As part of our ongoing commitment to promote responsible e-waste management and environmental awareness, an awareness session was conducted at Nayantara Apartment, organized by Ms. Romila and Ms. Abha, the Delhi coordinators from Green Circle. This event aimed not only to educate residents about the importance of proper e-waste disposal but also to encourage sustainable practices in their daily lives. The session saw active participation from over 25 residents, including several children, making it an engaging and community-centric event.

Session Overview The session kicked off with an engaging introduction to the topic of e-waste—what it is, why it matters, and how individuals can make a difference. The interactive format helped capture the attention of both adults and children, leading to meaningful discussions and questions throughout the program. The key topics covered included. Understanding E-Waste: Participants learned that e-waste includes discarded electronic devices like old mobile phones, laptops, chargers, and more. These items often contain hazardous materials that can pollute the environment if not properly managed. Informal vs. Formal Recycling: Hazards and Benefits: Informal recycling practices, such as unsafe dismantling and burning of e-waste, pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems due to the release of toxic substances. In contrast, formal recycling methods ensure the safe recovery of valuable materials, reducing the need for new raw materials.

This not only supports resource conservation but also lowers the overall environmental impact. Carbon Footprint Reduction: Formal recycling also plays a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by limiting the need for energy-intensive extraction and production processes. Role of Communities in Waste Management: Residents were encouraged to adopt environmentally-friendly waste disposal habits across all categories—electronic, plastic, organic, and paper waste. The importance of segregation at source and regular collection drives was discussed. Initiatives to Reduce Plastic Waste: We also discussed the plastic-management initiatives by various stakeholders and we also discussed regarding proper-recycling of plastics as well. Community Engagement and Interaction The session stood out for its high level of participation and enthusiasm, especially from children, who showed keen interest and asked several thoughtful questions about recycling and sustainability. A short group discussion added a fun and interactive element to the event. Notably, residents brought e-waste from their homes, resulting in the collection of approximately 4–5 kilograms of e-waste during the event itself—demonstrating immediate action following the awareness session. In addition to e-waste, the conversation also extended to broader environmental concerns, such as plastic pollution, water conservation, and the importance of green spaces in urban areas.

E-Bin Initiative Following the session, the residents’ welfare committee placed a carton box within the apartment premises to collect e-waste. The initiative was well received, and residents have already started dropping off their e-waste, marking a positive step toward responsible disposal. Conclusion The e-waste awareness session at Nayantara Apartment was a resounding success. With strong resident engagement, active participation from children, and immediate e-waste collection, the event achieved its goal of initiating positive change. This session not only increased awareness but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility toward environmental sustainability. The Green Circle team is hoped to continue organizing such impactful events in the future, helping to sustain momentum and inspire ongoing commitment to responsible waste management and environmental stewardship.