SUBRAM

E Newsletter from Sukuki Exnora 7-1-29/B/4, Leelanagar Begumpet, Hyderabad-500016, INDIA N o v e m b e r , 2013 Volume 1, Issue 2

1. From the Founder's Desk

With great enthusiasm and fervor, we started SUBRAM last month. Thanks to the good wishes of our readers and well wishers, it was received very well. Now, with the same passion we have come out with an equally thought provoking and informative edition and hope to do so for many editions to come. This edition includes articles on: Waste not want not which is all about segregation of waste from the source, Report on the ENVIQUIZ 13 Final held at Sanjeevaiah park, The school which was covered under Green initiative is Meridian school ,Banjara hills, herbal treasure.

2. Waste Not Want Not

The things we discard after using it to the optimum level can be called as waste. Waste is as old as mankind. When we produce a product, the waste comes along. As facilities increase, the quantity of waste also increases. Nowadays the quantity of waste depends on the status of living. Disposal of waste has become a major responsibility. Wastes produced in the house are called household wastes. It is classified as: Dry waste: Plastic, packing materials, and pieces of glass are not biodegradable, that is, they do not decay or decompose. Wet waste: The left over vegetables, unconsumed food, fruits, flowers, meat, and bones are bio-degradable. Hazardous waste: Used battery cells, paint boxes, chemicals, pesticides, used syringes, unused and outdated medicines and so on. The 3 Rs: The three Rs are associated with solid wastes. They are Reduce, Re-use and Recycle. We have to be moderate in our purchases, consumption and production of waste. If we buy six to seven items in the market we carry them in as many plastic carry bags .All the carry bags will end up as wastes. We should try to carry a cloth bag from home so that use of plastic bag is reduced. Re-use is about using a material again and again. The reuse of paper in any form prevents cutting of more trees. Normally old paper is taken to paper industry and gets recycled. Good quality plastic materials are also usually recycled.

The benefits of segregating waste at the source: If segregation of the waste at the source is not done it is very difficult to separate them later. It is also a waste of energy; time and money. So keep separate bins for dry, wet and hazardous wastes at homes. Even from the health point of view it is better to segregate waste at source. Composting and the types of composting: Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as compost. Anything that was once living will decompose. By composting your organic waste you are returning nutrients back into the soil in order for the cycle of life to continue. Use of organic manure is good for soil.

Types of composting: Backyard composting If you have a yard and a balance of browns (fallen leaves or straw) and greens (grass clippings and food scraps), you have all you need to make compost. Worm composting (vermicomposting) If you have a tiny yard or live in an apartment or have an abundance of food scraps, this type of composting can be done. Earthworms are used. Reasons why we should compost: i. ii. iii. iv. v. Composting our kitchen and yard trimmings helps divert that waste from the landfill, waterways and water treatment facilities. We can significantly reduce pest problemsand use of pesticides. Healthy plants from healthy soil look better, produce better and have a much greater ability to fight off pests and diseases. Adding organic materials to the soil improves moisture retention. Adding decomposed organic material to the soil feeds beneficial organisms.

Minimize this waste: Recharge your batteries. Batteries contain heavy metals, such as mercury and cadmium, which have become a major source of contamination in dump sites. They either break apart and are released into the soil or are incinerated and the deadly heavy metals are released into the air. The role of rag pickers in the segregation of waste: The rag pickers have a special role to play in the segregation of waste in India. They are one of the focal points for the recycling of waste. They are the persons who, in spite of all the dangers that they face, go on relentlessly

picking through the garbage bin, looking for waste that could be useful to them. They sell all the material they pick to the whole sellers and retailers who in turn sell it to the industry that uses this waste matter as raw material. The main items of collection are plastics, paper, bottles, and cans. We can indirectly help the rag pickers by carefully segregating the waste that is generated at our homes, thereby facilitating their search for materials that are useful to them. In a nutshell, if the waste is segregated at the source, it is easy to dispose waste. It saves time, energy and money. Segregation of waste helps to reduce or minimize waste as such contributes to the reduction of landfills and in turn to a safer environment.

MINIMIZE WASTE TAKE/CONSUME ONLY WHAT WE NEED IN EVERY SITUATION

Waste-facts There is no limit to the amount of times glass or aluminum can be recycled Recycling one aluminum can saves an amount of energy equivalent to half that can filled with gasoline. Every year we dispose of 24 million tons of leaves and grass clippings, which could be composted to conserve landfill space More than 35 percent of the waste collected from single family contains food scraps and soiled paper. Thats over 256.000 ton s of food waste and soiled paper, per year, which could be recycled to make compost

3. Envi Quiz 2013 Finals

Sukuki Exnora in association with HMDA, National Green Corps-AP, Blue Cross of Hyderabad, PEAS, organized the finals of Envi Quiz 13 for School students. In this connection, about 200 students from various schools participated in the Finals organized at Sanjeevaiah Park. The finals included various modules like Envi Fun, Envi Planning, Envi theme & Envi Skill. The Focus of the event was on Think, Eat & Save which is the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) for Environment programmes this year. A special module on Environmental Management Issues of HCIP (Hussainsagar Catchment Area Improvement

Project) was explained to the students. The students were explained about STPs, (Sewage Treatment Plants), I & D (Interception and Diversion) and the efforts of HMDA in the HCIP. Students gave suggestions for improvement of Water quality of Hussainsagar. The Envi Theme module Think.Eat.Save - a campaign to reduce the global foodprint and realize the impact food has on the world resources. Envi Fun module conveyed to the students the need for Environment conservation and protection. Envi Skill module in which students were provided with species of plants and asked to identify the benefits of planting Medicinal Plants like Aloevera,Neem & Tulasi.
Category Sub Juniors Position 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd School Meridian School Abyasa School, Toopran Sister Nivedita School Abyasa School, Toopran Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet Meridian School, Banjara Hills Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet Meridian School, Banjara Hills Abyasa School, Toopran Student Names Nidhi Srivaths, Rishika. K Muni Krishna, JS Abhinav Jaanvi, Adityaya Varshith Reddy, Saketh M Sneha K, Tarun Sepuri Sanshrey, G. Arun Sri Datta Upamanyu Dutta, Arujun S Kallapur Sanketh Gora, Vaishnav Sai Sree, Sreeja

Juniors

Seniors

Mr. GS Kumar, Former Director, Survey of India gave away the medals to the winners of Envi Quiz 2013 The winners will be invited to make a presentation on Environment Issues at Clean India 2014 scheduled for February 2014 A n a c t i v i t y f o r T e a c h e r s w a s c o n d u c t e d . T h e y w e r e a s k e d t o w r i t e a recipe with all innovative ideas for an attractive, nutritious, quicker, tasty breakfast. The best three recipes were selected.

Selected Teachers for the best receipes:

I. M.P.Dhaniya, Meridian school Name of the recipe : healthy tricolour sandwich II. Nupur Roy and Deepa Manohar Singh ,Chirec School Name of the recipe: oats dosa (with healthy chutney) III. T. Anusuya, Delhi School of Excellence Name of the recipe: green paratha with sprout salad

4. Green Initiative
-Meridian committed to Environment International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was celebrated at Meridian School, Banjara Hills on 16 September 2013. Students of Grade 3 took keen interest in displaying the need of Ozone layer using umbrellas. Just like an umbrella protects us from heat and rain, the Ozone layer protects the Earth. Students had an interactive session on the theme for this years celebration A healthy atmosphere, the Future We Want. Th ey have gained knowledge related to ozone hole, what causes it and how we can protect them. Seeds were distributed to the students as a symbolic to encourage tree plantation to save us and also our planet. Students also acquired knowledge about the Tulasi plant and how it is helpful to us in protecting the ozone layer. Informative soft board was done to disseminate knowledge related to the ozone layer. Students collected the signatures from all those who feel a sense of belonging to the Earth. The green monitors of our school are committed to inculcate green thinking in their fellow students. Lets join hands to protect the ozone layer for ou r own survival and future is what our children have decided.
Meridian School-Banjara hills Last year they started with beautiful terrace garden with lovely vegetables and fruits which are used in the mess. Secured Ist place in essay writing about greener Hyderabad by 2020 conducted by Godrej. Won medals in enviquiz, Participated in HSBC green programmes, tree plantation in campus, conducted many competitions for biodiversity week etc.

5. Herbal Treasure
Tulsi plant-Ocimum Sanctum Few uses of Tulsi

Treating respiratory disorders - like fever, cold, sore throat and cough - Tulsi is an important ingredient in the preparation of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. Chewing few tulsi leaves is very good during these conditions. Prevents Malaria and Dengue fevers Treats skin disorders - Tulsi juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. Applying a paste of Tulsi and Aloe vera over the affected area brings quick results. The Anti-carcinogenic agents of Tulsi helps to help fight against cancer.

If any school is doing or has done any incredible work on any environmental issue, kindly send few photographs with a write up to enviquiz@gmail.com
-

Please visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sukuki-Exnora/230958833661002 https://www.facebook.com/envi.quiz?fref=ts I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority. -Elwyn Brooks White