Best Practice - A

Title of Best Practice: “Ecofriendly Green Campus”

Objective :

1. To provide clean and Green ambience for everyone working in the college.

2. To create awareness and ensure high quality benchmark of universally acceptable standards to maintain green campus and ecofriendly practices.

3. To teach and create a sense of awareness in students through lectures and counselling.

4. Uncover and sharpen the hidden talents of students to suggest novel ecofriendly methods for campus maintenance.

5. To inculcate interest in students so that they apply knowledge of ecofriendly initiatives to improve ecosystem health.

6. To sharpen the decision-making skills of students to accelerate work for the protection of Ecofriendly Green Campus.

The Context

The skills and talents of the students are the driving force behind the improvement of college environment and country at large. The SSNC which is spread in two campuses has a beautiful and serene atmosphere not only for the staff and students but also for the neighbouring areas too. For this SSNC is constantly improving its ambience and preserving the environment so that it is enjoyed by the future generations. College campus holds the pristine environment for many pollinators like butterflies, bees, other insects and birds which indicate that the campus supports a healthy ecosystem. It has more than 400 trees of 66 different species. Regular plantation activities in the college and awareness drives have converted its landscape into an eco-friendly green campus. The best practice of making the “Eco-friendly Green Campus” will certainly help in gearing up the environmental and socio-economic targets of achieving sustainable development in future.

The Practice

SSNC has created the Ecofriendly Green Campus by investing its valuable time to establish the constructive and fruitful ecocentric paradigms. It aims to maintain variety of basic amenities in the campus directing to attain sustainability. As rightly said by Christine Pelasi “Being green and clean is not just an aspiration but an action.” The initiatives for eco-friendly green campus are as follows :

1. Saghan Vann

The whole campus has rich plant diversity with a blend of important and valuable trees, herbs, and shrubs. One acre land of the campus in the old campus is devoted for the development of "Saghan Vann '' (small dense forest), keeping the perspective that it will act as lungs in near future for all the adjoining areas and will help in purifying the air up to the radius of 3 km in the vicinity of the college. A record of planting 1000 saplings in less than an hour was made to cultivate the same.

2. Botanical Garden

A separate area in the new campus is dedicated to Botanical Garden. The garden is full of beautiful flowers and fruit bearing plants. The garden has one small pond also which has both submerged and floating plants. It has wide utility for the students to understand the practical concepts of pond ecosystem in the paper of ecology and environment science.

3. Herbal Garden

The herbal garden in the old campus was inaugurated on 24 April 2023, which has variety of useful herbs such as tulsi, aloe vera, cardamom, heart leaved moonseed (giloy) etc.

4. Solar Power Plant

The college is equipped with an on-grid rooftop “Solar Power Plant” of capacity 50 KV to fulfill the target of renewable solar energy potential under national solar mission. The solar power plant was inaugurated on 24th Nov. 2020. After installation of the solar power plant, the cost of expenditure on electricity bill is reduced by one fourth.

5. Paper Recycling

For recycling the wastepaper SSNC coordinates with the NGO Jaagruti for which a letter of appreciation is given by the same when waste paper is collected by it to be recycled. It collects wastepaper and provides usable A4 size paper in exchange for this. This practice helps in reducing solid waste in a sustainable manner.

6. Composting unit

A composting unit is made in the botanical garden to decompose the garden waste. The compost prepared is further used in gardening.

7. Water Conservation

The open two third area of the campus helps in recharging the groundwater. A rainwater harvesting tank is made in the lawn for collecting rainwater. Waste RO water is used for gardening. Water meter is installed to monitor the usage of water. Gardening is done through ground water and RO wastewater.

8. Environmental Activities :

Regular upgrading of knowledge for promoting Environmental awareness through talks by expert in workshops, seminars, webinars organised by college etc. like

• 3 months add on course on Solar technologies : a solution to environmental problemsDec 2018-march 2019,
• A talk on world of butterflies and butterfly campus count , 20 september 2019
• Medicinal plants eternal source of health,17th June 2020.
• Covid 19 and environment, 25th May 2020
• Restoration of ecosystem : traditional Indian perspective on 13th July 2021
• Water is life, 16 Feb 22
• Poster making, quiz, videography competition by Eco club, 8 April 2022
• Centennial plantation drive 10th August 2022
• Environmental auditing,26th June 2023.
• Poster competition on world environment day
• Two days international seminar on “Green technology for a sustainable world-G 20 vision on 3rd -4th Feb 23

The “eco-friendly activities” and various such practices are being regularly held in campus for creating the campus clean and green.

Proof and Evidence of Success

1. All the notices, application, approval, participation, reports, geo-tagged photographs of some of the events etc. are kept and duly signed by the principal.

2. Students have become more conscious in increasing and protecting the Green Cover.

3. There is a boost in extracurricular activities for the students related to ecofriendly practices.

4. Pledge is taken to keep pace with innovation and creativity related to green initiatives.

5. Green standards are followed and maintained.

6. Provision of funds and resources for future planning and implementation of green campus.

7. Good and green cover ambience is a motivation for teaching, non-teaching staff and students so that they contribute more to its maintenance.

8. SSNC participated in the annual flower show of Delhi University through Gardening committee and won prizes in some exhibits. One of the mali’s got the best mali prize in 2023 Pushpotsav.

Various ecosystem services/output provided by the SSN College Green Campus

1. There are number of services/outputs provided by the practice of“ Ecofriendly Green campus” which directly or indirectly enhance quality of life of human.

2. The biodiversity is maintained in the campus and students are taught the concept of different ecosystems and their diverse plants and animals which is the main supporting services provided.

3. Diversity of plants support the survival of pollinators and beneficial insects in the campus.

4. The green campus acts as a carbon sink and has the potential of reducing carbon footprint.

5. The regulating services provided through the “ Ecofriendly Green campus” initiative is the maintenance of good air quality and soil fertility in both the campuses.

6. Solid waste recycling helps in decreasing the burden on landfill sites.

7. Rainwater harvesting has increased the groundwater level.

8. Eco-friendly activities held on a regular basis in campus has developed resilience against urban pollution.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

• The green campus of the college is proving boon to the health of college staff and students. However some more eco-friendly facilities can be created in the campus to make it more friendly and sustainable.
• Provision of funds and resources to plan such activities besides the academic arrangements is a major challenge.
• It was not possible to start new initiatives during Covid pandemic and took time to adapt to new normal.
• It is difficult to maintain the plants in the harsh summer months which need more watering to enable them to bear the heat.
• It is tough to take care and maintain both the campuses during vacation time.
• Time management is a big challenge for the students to show their enthusiasm and participation due to their busy academic schedule.
• Translating the knowledge gained through awareness programmes on green initiatives for actual practice need passion and real interest to care for mother earth.
• The college is trying to minimize the use of plastic in campus.
• To reduce use of paper, information is conveyed through digital platforms like mail and whatsapp.
• Various committees such as Eco club, Garden committee etc and departments are playing important role in carrying out the ecofriendly activities year-round. The IQAC and organizing committee of teachers, stud ents, and non-teaching staff under the guidance of the Principal, Teacher-in-Charges, conveners also helps in organizing the events. The widespread promotional coverage is carried out by the media, notice boards and by social networking sites to reach the target audience within and outside the institution. Participants for different programmes with theme on environment are encouraged through awards, certificates, cash prizes etc.. These events are organized in unity with the idea and aim of Green Groups while maintaining the objectives and goals of the college.

S. No.	Document Details	Proof
1	Environmental Policy
2	Saghan Vann
3	Botanical Garden
4	Herbal Garden
5	Green Initiatives of SSN College
6	Solid Waste Management
7	Paper Recycling
8	Alternative and sustainable source of Energy/Solar Power Plant
9	Water Conservation and Management
10	Flora and Fauna
11	Ambience/Landscape

---

Best Practice - B

Title of Best Practice : “निःस्वार्थ सेवा; An Act of Generosity”

Objective :

1. To create social awareness among the students for identification of social needs.

2. To encourage and engage students in community services.

3. To explore and learn about the use of community resources at the local level.

4. To develop and promote leadership and enhance public participation for the upliftment of underprivileged community.

5. To establish and develop welfare activities for impoverished, orphans and homeless children.

6. Development and extension of remedial, curative, vocational and rehabilitation services for handicapped, and other socially oppressed groups.

7. To coordinate implementation of government laws and policies for the welfare of deprived.

8. To impart special education and skill training to physically and mentally challenged people.

Context :

The SSN College has active NSS, NCC and Enactus, which are directly or indirectly involved in the act of generosity,“ : “निःस्वार्थ सेवा; ”. Besides the physical, psychological, and environmental issues the volunteers of NSS and Cadets of different wings of NCC execute various programs related with the social welfare. The purpose of welfare is to help people in need. The various programs offered by the college are related to the upliftment of poor people, orphans, and physically challenged people. For this the college regularly holds the cloth ,book donation drives, blood donation camps and programs for physically challenged person including health care, shelter, and food. The practice “निःस्वार्थ सेवा; ” is done without considering the recompense, is an act of generosity. The students learn ethics and understand the importance of cooperation, kindness, and assistance.

The Practice : The activities involved under the flagship of “निःस्वार्थ सेवा; ” are as follow :

1. Donation Drive : Donation Drives mainly donation of old clothes, winters jackets, blankets, toys, books etc. which are donated among the needy in slum areas and in orphanages.

2. Blood Donation Camps : Blood donation camps are regularly held with the assistance of the Red Cross Society.

3. Donating Eye after life : The awareness on donating eye after life is an act of kindness beyond the dimension. This helps people who have never seen the world before. So, students and staff are encouraged to participate in the programme so that they also show commitment to eye donation, It is done in collaboration with the social welfare society, Saksham.

4. Cleanliness drives : The cleanliness drives are regularly held by NSS volunteers in the nearby locality and in slum areas where people are not aware about the health and hygiene.

5. Organizing events for the disabled people : Various programs are held for the upliftment of economically weak and physically challenged people besides the arrangement of shelters, food, medical care and other resources.

6. Seminars, Workshops, and trainings are organized for the welfare of economically weak sections of society.

7. Awareness Drives : Regular awareness drives are held in the campus and outside the campus related to social issues, environmental problems, health and hygiene conditions.

8. Selfless service during pandemic : The NCC and NSS of SSN College campus were actively involved in caring for the Corona affected people during pandemic. The students also created the helpline desk in college for the same.

9. Programs executed in collaboration with NGOs : Various programs related with women safety, current environmental issues and social problems were organized in collaboration with different NGOs to create awareness among masses.

10. Divyangjan Aid : The enabling unit of college played an important role during Corona pandemic, when all types of issues related to food, health, education, psychological problems were keenly handled by the enabling unit.

Through various activities students learn to work as a team. Overall participation in all these activities has increased with time. Students understand social responsibility and learn to adapt themselves in all situations.

Proof and Evidence of Success

1. All the notices, application, approval, participant attendance record, event reports, geo-tagged photographs of some of the events etc. are kept and duly signed by the principal.

2. Students are trained in social welfare activities.

3. The NCC and NSS reports duly explain the activities carried out for the welfare of needy people.

4. SSN College website and Facebook page of college highlight the activities,like seminars, workshops, and training programs organized by it.

5. Awards and Certificates issued to the students.

6. Learning skills and development which has opened the new doors of employment generation directing to Atmanirbhar Bharat.

7. Learn to adopt measures to eradicate existing problems or issues.

8. Students have became more conscious about the choice of career after their increased interest in community services.

9. Pledge is taken to keep pace with innovation and creativity.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required :

• The SSN College students are actively participating in all types of social activities and showing remarkable performance. They have acknowledged the notable change in the overall development of their personality. Although the social work done boost the internal satisfaction and happiness, but it is a very challenging job for students to continue their academic activities besides the social service.
• A lot of field work is done, and it requires financial assistance to meet the challenging assignment. Students work, day and night selflessly in a team to bring happiness to the life of others.. Financial assistance is the main hurdle in organizing such types of activities, but the college authority, teachers, staff, and other statutory bodies always support the social service done for noble cause.
• The students face the problem of limited resource while moving from one place to other. Awareness regarding implementation of government schemes and policies sometimes face lack of public interest and participation. However, the NSS and NCC students always remain prepared, to do the selfless act with the noble spirit of “निःस्वार्थ सेवा; ”.

S. No.	Document Details : “निःस्वार्थ सेवा; An Act of Generosity " (Donation Drives Blood Donation Camps, Cleanliness Drives, Awareness Campaign, Sensitizing students and society, Seminar Workshop, Training)	Year	Proof
1	NSS Report	2019-2020
2	NSS Report	2020-2021
3	NSS Report	2021-2022
4	NSS Report	2022-2023
5	NCC Report	2022-2023
6	Enactus Society
7	Social Work done with Saksham