(An Autonomous Apex Institute Established by RBI & Banks)
(An Autonomous Apex Institute Established by RBI & Banks)
Human civilisation has been advancing by leaps and bounds for centuries through scientific inventions and technological innovations. But, in the decades leading up to the first World Environment Day declaration on June 5, 1973 by the United Nations, the global consumption of fuel via automobiles was skyrocketing while industries emitted smoke and effluents with no concern for the environment. In fact, air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity and mainstream society remained largely oblivious to environmental degradation and its deleterious impact on human health.
Today, the world is a different place as there is far greater awareness of the impending climate crisis that has not only lead to international policy changes, but also massive civil society mobilisation. Hence, it is indeed praiseworthy that NIBM has been part of the green movement right from its inception way back in 1969 and subsequent relocation to Pune in 1981, as it painstakingly nurtured and transformed an unsettled plot of rocky, barren land into a 60-acre oasis of greenery amidst the bustling city. It is no wonder that the institute's lush green, verdant campus is now host to more than a hundred different endemic and rare species of flora and fauna.
On June 5, 2023, Prof. Partha Ray, Director - NIBM continued the glorious green tradition of the institute by leading the faculty, management and staff in a drive towards further enhancing the sustainability quotient of the organisation by planting the first batch of around 30 saplings out of the final target of 1000. The mass tree plantation was preceded by the unveiling of the NIBM vision document titled, 'Green Campus Programme'.
The programme aims to achieve the institute's green vision of a sustainable campus with a balance of built and natural environment through various measures and activities ranging from tree plantation to rainwater harvesting apart from achieving the top green rating for the institute and collaboration with various external institutions such as banks and financial institutions, NGOs, Conservator of Forests, Pune Municipal Corporation, and other agencies and experts for obtaining knowledge and garnering support for the programme.
In his address to the assembled gathering, the Director, whilst reiterating the institute’s commitment to environmental protection and responsible resource usage also highlighted that each and every high level dignitary right from the President of India to the RBI Governor, apart from the international and national participants of the institute's various training programmes have all been enraptured by its verdant campus.
During the event, Prof. Anjan Roy, Convenor, Infrastructure Development Committee - NIBM, articulated the fundamentals of the 'Green Campus Programme' under which the institute aims to foster sustainability and natural resource conservation throughout the institute. Subsequently, Dr. Sarita Bhatnagar, Convenor, Green Campus Programme Committee - NIBM, shared the vision, mission and major components of the 'Green Campus Programme'. After the collective affirmation of the green vow as enshrined in the NIBM vision document, the faculty, management and staff completed the first round of the mass tree plantation within the campus with great enthusiasm and sense of purpose.
The celebration of 'World Environment Day' should not be limited to only one day in a year, but observed every day. It is imperative for all of us as global citizens to take concrete steps towards environmental preservation that involves solutions for plastic waste, harmful effluents, toxic smoke, greenhouse effect, deforestation, land degradation and climate change. The benefits of small, individual initiatives like reducing consumption, reusing, recycling or the collaborative economy, are big for everyone.
Release of the NIBM vision document - 'Green Campus Programme' by the Director; (L-R) Smt. Soni Philip, CAO - NIBM, Dr. Sarita Bhatnagar, Assistant Professor - NIBM, Prof. Partha Ray, Director - NIBM and Dr. Anjan Roy, Professor - NIBM.
Commencement of the mass tree plantation drive; (R-L) Prof. Partha Ray, Director - NIBM and Prof. Kaushik Mukerjee, Dean (Executive Training Programme) - NIBM.
NIBM faculty, management and staff along with the Director, after the successful completion of the first round of the ongoing green movement.