The Hindu Business Line : MAHE signs pact Eco Ministry

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to make Manipal a `green city'.

The Ministry, in association with the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) , has formulated a programme — Advisory Services in environmental management (ASEM). The programme aims at environmental improvement and sustainable development.

MAHE, which has decided to have a public-private partnership with ASEM, wants to develop a sustainable eco campus and a model eco city at its Manipal campus situated over 450 acres of land.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony here, Dr H.S. Ballal, Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, said that this is the first time a corporate entity like MAHE has come forward to develop an eco city. He claimed that this project is the first of its kind in the country.

ASEM will assist MAHE in professional planning and implementation of the project and activities, providing solutions to complex environmental problems. Dr Ballal said that MAHE would also have a training centre on urban sustainability management programme at its campus.

In order to have a structured growth in managing its environment systems, MAHE is also planning for certification under ISO 14001, he added.

Dr Jurgen Bischoff from ASEM said that the project is jointly planned, financed, implemented and evaluated under this public-private partnership model.

Eco city

He lauded MAHE for taking up the task of developing an eco city.

Ms Bineesha of ASEM, who spoke on `Manipal sustainable eco campus project', said that the project would focus on pollution prevention in the city and develop a local environmental policy.

Dr Ramdas M. Pai, President of MAHE, said that MAHE over the years has evolved as a green campus as a result of innovative methods adopted at the campus.

He said that rainwater harvesting, water conservation and recycling, use of modern disposal systems and energy-saving devices, and use of solar energy wherever possible have created an eco-friendly atmosphere in Manipal.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT POLICY

Mr Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, Director, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, who delivered the keynote address, said that the Ministry has formulated a draft national policy on environment. The draft has been submitted to the Cabinet.

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