Sustainable Nitte

CLIMATE CHANGE

INTRODUCTION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

In an era marked by unprecedented industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancement, our planet faces a pressing and all-encompassing challenge: climate change. Sustainable Development Goal 13 “Climate Action,” stands as a rallying call to nations, communities, and individuals worldwide to address the far-reaching impacts of climate change and take decisive steps towards a more sustainable and resilient future. The central aim of SDG 13 is to limit global warming to well below 2OC above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to even limit it to 1.5OC. This ambitious target requires nothing short of a paradigm shift in how societies produce, consume, and interact with the environment.

SDG 13 recognizes that addressing climate change necessitates a collaborative and inclusive approach. Educational institutions have crucial roles to play in this area as innovations in technology, policy, finance, and education are essential drivers of progress toward climate resilience. Likewise, raising public awareness about climate change and its repercussions is vital to fostering a global culture of sustainability.

Nitte (DU) aims to be a platform for raising awareness, fostering understanding, and driving action to address climate change by empowering the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Through research, innovation, and community engagement Nitte (DU) aims to contribute to shaping informed and environmentally conscious citizens who will actively participate in climate action efforts, driving positive change at local, national, and global levels.

Under the Green Initiative, Nitte University is dedicatedly striving to transform its campuses into lush and environmentally friendly spaces. This initiative stems from a profound commitment to sustainable practices and an awareness of the pivotal role those educational institutions play in shaping a greener future.

The concept of a green campus aligns with a broader global movement towards environmental stewardship and conservation. Nitte University recognizes that campuses, being vibrant hubs of knowledge and innovation, have the potential to inspire change not only within their immediate community but also beyond. The green cover percentage of the campus is depicted in the table below.

Nitte (DU) ‘Plant a Tree on Your Birthday’ Initiative embodies a proactive approach towards offsetting an individual’s carbon footprint. This practice establishes a lasting bond with the campus, forging a memorable and meaningful connection.

The Justice K S Hegde Charitable Hospital is committed to promoting climate-friendly practices through sustainable initiatives. These efforts encompass the adoption of electronic medical records and electronic prescriptions, among other measures

The hospital is actively implementing sustainability measures to support climate action, particularly in the realm of energy efficiency. These efforts include the utilization of solar power for energy supply, diligent monitoring of air conditioning temperatures, transitioning to LED lighting, installing energy-efficient false ceilings, eliminating unnecessary AC ducts, and optimizing the use of artificial lighting and ventilation.

• Conventional light fittings are being replaced with energy-saving lights in a phased manner.
• VFDs which help reduce the running cost and life of motors have been installed in critical areas.
• Solar panels have been installed on all campuses to generate electricity and contribute towards green initiatives. Additionally, solar water heaters have been installed in all the hostels.
• A synchronization panel/load manager has been provided for DG sets at all campuses so as to ensure optimum utilization of power generation.
• All ACs that are beyond repair are replaced with 5-star inverter ACs with R32 Refrigerant gas.
• Heavy-duty capacitors have been installed for longer life to maintain a Power factor with a range of 0.9 to 1.
• All old main panels in installations are being replaced in a phased manner with single-phase, under/over voltage protection switchgear products.
• Timers have been installed at various locations for switching on/off security lights which helps in minimizing energy consumption

With a view to contributing towards the green initiative, Nitte University has entered into an open access agreement for Hydro and Wind energy with M/s AMR Pvt Ltd, M/s Doddannavar Global Energy Pvt Ltd and M/s Brindavan Hydropower Pvt Ltd.

The provision of electric cars on campus is a forward-thinking initiative as these cars produce zero tailpipe emissions, which helps reduce the university’s carbon footprint. This initiative not only promotes cleaner air quality on campus but also encourages students and staff to choose a more sustainable mode of transportation.

The university has also provided batteryoperated vehicles and bicycles for shortdistance transportation within the campus for both students and staff. By offering this service, the university is reducing the reliance on larger, less efficient vehicles for internal transportation needs.

Nitte University has garnered significant recognition in the field of climate change research, marked by its commendable achievement in securing external grants from esteemed external agencies. The university’s faculty members have demonstrated exceptional expertise, dedication,and innovation in their pursuit of understanding and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Through their concerted efforts, the following staff of Nitte University have successfully attracted external funding, further elevating the institution’s status as a hub for impactful research in the realm of environmental science.

1. The project titled “Human Health and Wellbeing at Risk: Scenarios for Climate Change Induced Harmful Microbial Blooms along the Indian West Coast” Dr. Indrani Karunasagar has received an external grant of Rs 2447334 by the Swedish Research Council to lead the research efforts to accomplish the project’s objectives. The project aims to investigate the potential impacts of climate change on the occurrence of harmful microbial blooms along the Indian West Coast and their implications for human health and wellbeing.
2. The research endeavor titled “Investigation of Pregnancy, Delivery, and Child Development Patterns in Water-Contaminated Regions of India” which is a collaborative effort led by Dr. Suchetha Kumari, Dr. Shilpa Shetty, Dr. Shirpa Sonkusare, and Dr. Prashanth Naik has been supported by an external grant of Rs 12,300,000 from University Miyazaki.
3. Dr. Indrani Karunasagar has secured a research grant of Rs 2,447,334 for the study titled “Climate-Induced Harmful Microbial Blooms and Human Health on the Indian West Coast,” funded by the Indo-Swedish collaboration supported by the Swedish Research Council.
4. Dr. Indrani Karunasagar’s collaborative research project, “Multiple Climate Impacts as Microbiome Bottlenecks in Aquatic Environments,” involving partners from India, Sweden, and the UK, has been awarded an external grant of Rs 1,185,023 by the GCRF project at the University of Plymouth, UK.
5. Dr. Smitha Hegde and Dr. Anurag Sharma have successfully secured an external grant of Rs 2,500,000 for the “Center for Sustainable Technologies Development to Address Heavy Metal Pollution in a Changing Environment” from VGST.
6. Dr. K.P. Sandhya’s research project, “Marketing EcoTourism: A Study of Coastal Karnataka,” has received a grant of Rs 280,000 from ICSSR.
7. The “Bioenergy Research Information and Demonstration Centre” (BRIDC), overseen by the Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board (KSBDB) under the government of Karnataka, has been awarded Rs 285,000 in funding. Dr. Ujwal Santhosh Poojary serves as the coordinator for this initiative.

Nitte University’s grant allocation for climate change research signifies its proactive approach to supporting cutting-edge projects aimed at understanding, mitigating, and adapting to the changing climate. Its proactive efforts to encourage research activities in this domain align with its broader vision of a greener and sustainable future. 2 projects in relation to climate change have been funded by the University in the year 2022. The projects are:

1. The research initiative titled “Assessment of Toxic Heavy Metal Concentrations in Healthy Adults,” led by Dr. Pratheeksha Rai and Ms. Muskan Basin has been financially supported by a grant from the university amounting to Rs 10,000.
2. The project “Promoting Plastic Waste Management Awareness through Video- Based Education for High School Students,” proposed by Ms. Jeevitha Alva and Ms. Dona Maria Anto has been supported by a university grant of Rs 6,750. The project employs innovative educational videos to engage and educate students about the importance of responsible plastic waste disposal.
3. Dr. Ranjith A’s research project, titled SDG 13 2022 “Utilizing Machine Learning to Assess Self- Healing Capabilities in Bacterial Concrete Exposed to Reinforcement Corrosion,” has been awarded a grant of Rs 150,000 from Nitte University.
4. Dr. Bhojaraja B. E’s study, “Integration of Aqua-Hydroponics with Interlocking Clay Brick Building for Vegetation Cultivation,” has received a grant of Rs 150,000 from Nitte University, totaling Rs 150,000 in funding.
5. Dr. Harshitha M. Jathanna’s research, “Utilizing Waste from the Biodiesel Industry to Simultaneously Produce Dual Industrially Relevant Products from a Single Fungal Species,” has been granted Rs 100,000 by Nitte University.
6. Dr. Shaik Kabeer Ahmed’s research, titled “Investigating Structural Health Monitoring and Seismic-Induced Soil-Structure Interaction through Manual Shake Table Experiments,” has been awarded a Nitte University grant of Rs 140,000.
7. Dr. Shriram Marathe’s research on “Performance Studies of Eco-Friendly Alkali-Activated Fiber-Reinforced Nano- Concretes Using Industrial Waste Materials” has received a Nitte University grant of Rs 150,000.
8. Dr. Shyam Prasad K’s research project, “Synthesis and Characterization of Copper- Based Composite Thermoelectric Materials for Clean Energy Power Generation Applications,” has secured a Nitte University grant of Rs 130,000.
9. Dr. I R Mithanthaya’s research, focusing on the “Development of Bio-Concrete Specimens and Their Strength Characterization,” has received a Nitte University grant of Rs 150,000.
10. Mrs. Swathi Hatwar H’s research on “Validation of Active Power Absorbers for Renewable Energy Sources” has been granted Rs 150,000 by Nitte University.
11. Dr. Ujwal P’s research, “Nanoparticle- Induced Hydrolysis of Biomass to Enhance Fermentable Sugar Yields,” has been awarded a Nitte University grant of Rs 100,000.
12. Dr. Manjunatha M’s research, which investigates the “Flexural Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete Reinforced with Recycled Aggregate and Foundry Sand,” has received a Nitte University grant of Rs 150,000.
13. Dr. Aarti S Bhat’s research on “Utilizing Plastic Waste-Derived Metal-Organic Frameworks for Hydrogen Production” has secured a Nitte University grant of Rs 180,000.
14. Aarushi Kumari and Prof. Gowrish S’s collaborative research project, “Green Synthesis of Nanoparticulated Strontium- Substituted Hydroxyapatite Co-Substituted with Cerium,” has been awarded a Nitte University grant of Rs 10,000.
15. Adarsh Pai K and Dr. Vidya Kudva’s research on “Solar-Powered Water Trash Collectors” has received a Nitte University grant of Rs 10,000.
16. Samruddhi V Shetty and Dr. Santhosh Poojary’s research project, “Production and Characterization of Bio-Plastics for Biomedical Applications,” has been granted Rs 10,000 by Nitte University.
17. Vishal and Mr. Nithin Kumar Shetty’s research aims to “Establish a Hybrid Material Configuration for a Pressurized Thermal Vessel to Minimize Energy Losses,” with a Nitte University grant of Rs 10,000.
18. Gireesh K and Dr. Smitha Hegde’s research on “Biosurfactant Production Using Microbial Sources” has received a Nitte University grant of Rs 10,000.

The faculty members of Nitte (DU) have consistently demonstrated their dedication to climate change research through a multitude of scholarly publications. Their research articles, reviews, and studies contribute significantly to the growing body of knowledge surrounding climate change, its impacts, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation. By disseminating their research findings in reputable journals, conferences, and platforms, Nitte (DU) staff members actively engage with the global discourse on climate change. The publications for the year 2022 are as follows:

1. Jose A., Jithesh K.S., Attavar S.K. An empirical investigation into technical and economic characteristics for wind farm establishment in Karnataka. (2022). Materials Today: Proceedings.
2. Ashwini U., Ravindra. Impact of dimension and temperature on the electrical properties of silk cocoon membranes. (2022). Materials Today: Proceedings.
3. Shetty S., Jeevan Kumar K.N. Influence of Soil-Structure Interaction on Multi-story Reinforced Concrete Structures under Seismic Loads. (2022). Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering.
4. Ahmed S.K., Chandradhara G.P. Exploration of Vibrational Responses in Krishna Raja Sagar Bridge, Mysore. (2022). Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering.
5. Shaik K.A., Chandradhara C. Analysis of T-beam Bridges in Accordance with Indian Standard Plans by the Ministry of Surface Transport. (2022). Materials Today: Proceedings.
6. Marathe S., Mithanthaya I.R. Study of Sustainable Masonry Structural Elements Developed with Alkali-Activated Concrete Containing Slag, Fly Ash, and Glass Powder. (2022). International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation.
7. Marathe S., Mithanthaya I.R., Susmitha S.K. Investigation of Environmentally Friendly Interlocking Paver Blocks Using Slag-Fly Ash- Glass Powder. (2022). Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering.
8. Shaik K.A., Chandradhara G.P. Examination of Soil-Structure Interaction on Krishnaraja Sagar Bridge, Mysuru. (2022). Materials Today: Proceedings.
9. Jathanna H.M., Rao C.V. Utilization of Aspergillus ochraceus, a Native Fungus, for the Conversion of Biodiesel-Derived Crude Glycerol into Single Cell Oil for Commercial Applications. (2022). Waste and Biomass Valorization.
10. Balaji N., Bhandary S.B., Dsouza R.F., Karthik Pai B. Artificial Neural Network-Based Weather Analysis and Prediction. (2022). Proceedings of the 2022 IEEE International Conference on Distributed Computing, VLSI, Electrical Circuits, and Robotics (DISCOVER).
11. Rodrigues A.P., Fernandes R., Vijaya P. Comparative Evaluation of Various Regression Methods in Weather Forecasting. (2022). Proceedings of the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering (AIDE 2022).

Nitte University Green Initiative Project Committee (NUGIP) conducted a Birding Week from the 18th to the 21st of February 2022.

The event was inaugurated with an online lecture on “Bird Watching” by Dr. Vineeth Kumar, Principal, CFAL, Mangalore who spoke on the importance of birds in our ecosystem and enlightened the audience on the key features of the birds used to identify them in the field.

Mr. Sudheendra Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Mangalore & Goa division was the Chief guest. He highlighted the diversity of birds in the Mangalore region and also spoke about the code of conduct for birding enthusiasts in the field while bird-watching.

The bird enthusiasts documented a total of 76 bird species during this event. Experts anticipate that this number could surpass 100 species across various campuses of Nitte (DU), owing to the University’s ongoing green initiatives.

The Campus Bird Count 2022 (CBC 2022) is SDG 13 2022 a segment of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a collaborative effort by Bird Count India and eBird (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) that has been taking place since 2015. Participants included researchers, professionals, professors, and students from Nitte University, who meticulously surveyed the bird populations in the Paneer and Deralakatte campuses.

The recorded species range from common resident birds like White-cheeked Barbets, Common Mynas, and Black Drongos to rarer species like Red-wattled Lapwings and Indian Pittas. Migratory birds such as Purple Sunbirds and Blyth’s Reed Warblers, as well as nocturnal species like Indian Scops-Owls and Barn Owls, were also observed during the count. The initiative not only contributes to bird conservation but also establishes a strong connection between the participants and the campus’s natural environment.

To commemorate World Health Day on April 7, 2022, the Swachh Bharat Unit of Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy orchestrated a ‘Best out of Waste’ contest under the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. The event aimed to creatively repurpose materials and promote environmental consciousness. The judging panel included Shellette D’Almeida and Shilna Rani P, Assistant Professors, who evaluated the submissions and awarded certificates to the winners.

In conjunction with the competition, a Cleaning Drive was undertaken. The institute’s premises were divided into 5 sections, assigned to different classes for thorough cleaning and planting saplings. Orchestrated by Yogita Hatmode, Swachh Sena Faculty Coordinator, and supported by Swachh Sena Student Coordinators Tanuj Shetty and Haas Isabella, the program reinforced a sense of responsibility towards a cleaner environment.

On World Environment Day, June 5, 2022, the Swachh Sena of Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy joined the ‘Nethravathi River and Environmental Protection Program - The Eighth Stage River Environmental Cleanup Movement and Wildlife Festival’ under the theme ‘Only One Earth.’ This initiative was conducted in partnership with various local organizations.

The event began at 7:30 a.m. and involved 40 1styear BPT students, NIPT Principal Dr. Dhanesh Kumar KU, faculty members, and Swachh Sena coordinators. The activities included tree planting as part of the forest festival and cleaning the Nethravathi River backwaters by removing litter, such as thermocol, glass bottles, and plastic waste, and collecting them in trash bags. The event concluded with speeches from several dignitaries representing various organizations and communities.

World Environment Day (observed on 5 June 2022) was celebrated on 6 June 2022 by 6(Kar) Naval subunit, NCC, NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte.

As part of this ceremony, the chief guest Mr. Ashok Adhyanthaya, Nitte, Dr. Niranjan N Chiplunkar, Principal, Dr.Shivaprasad Shetty, CTO, and the cadets of NCC planted saplings on the campus.

On this occasion, Dr. Niranjan N Chiplunkar addressed the cadets and commended the subunit for the initiative. The event was successfully carried out with the active participation of the cadets.

Dr. Narasimha Marakala, IEI College Coordinator from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, distributed the money-plant saplings to the guest speakers as a token of gratitude.

The faculty members, non-teaching staff, research scholars and students of the Department of Biotechnology Engineering actively participated in the event.

The Institution Innovation Council of Nitte DU collaborated with Sarvam Life to hold an interactive session on June 8, 2022. This event addressed issues related to Arecanut Farming and involved representatives from research institutes and cooperative societies. A “Jatha” was organized to promote water, soil, and energy conservation, and raise awareness about global warming and climate change. About 250 students, along with faculty members, participated in the march.

During the subsequent sessions, experts from ICAR-CPCRI explained the role of microorganisms in soil fertility, reducing chemical usage to prevent soil toxicity, and the impact of carbon dioxide accumulation on climate change. They also highlighted the benefits of planting areca trees for carbon sequestration. Representatives from cooperative societies and agriculturists emphasized the need for afforestation, soil conservation, and realistic income for farmers.

On September 24, 2022, the NSS Unit of NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences celebrated NSS Day by organizing a Vanamahotsava event on the college campus. The staff and students were motivated to actively participate in efforts to enhance the green cover on campus, emphasizing that this should be an ongoing commitment rather than a once-ayear event. As part of the event, teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as students, planted saplings.

On December 18, 2022, a significant event titled “SAVE OUR OCEANS Walkathon” took place from Paneer Campus to Someshwar Beach, Mangaluru. The purpose of this walkathon was to raise awareness about ocean conservation. NUCSER, in collaboration with the NSS unit of Nitte DU and Kotekar Pattana Panchayat, Mangaluru, organized the event.

Over 200 participants from various institutions in and around Mangalore enthusiastically participated in the walkathon. The walk, supervised by the police, began at 7:30 AM from Paneer Campus and concluded at Someshwara Beach by 9:00 AM. Participants displayed selfmade posters and chanted slogans to draw public attention to the urgent need for ocean protection.

The higher-than-expected participation reflected the positive response from students towards the cause. Nitte DU’s dedication to socially relevant activities was evident once again, as the event demonstrated the university’s commitment to fostering a sustainable ecosystem through education, research, outreach, and responsible practices.