STORY CREDITS
Writer: Vanajakshi BH
Photo: IITGN Photo
The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) has been honored with the prestigious Star Campus Award 2024 in the category of water conservation and management. This esteemed accolade, presented by Earth Day Network – India, recognizes IITGN’s exemplary efforts in implementing innovative and sustainable practices to conserve water resources and promote environmental stewardship.
The Star Campus Awards, aligned with Earth Day Network’s mission, serve as a platform for educational institutions to showcase their pioneering initiatives, projects, and sustainable practices aimed at creating a greener and healthier planet. Through these awards, Earth Day Network – India aims to foster a collective commitment towards environmental sustainability and conservation.
IITGN’s remarkable achievements in water conservation and management exemplify its dedication to environmental sustainability. The institute has implemented a comprehensive water management strategy, encompassing innovative sewage treatment system, rainwater harvesting, and reuse of treated water for various purposes.
One of the standout features of IITGN’s water management initiative is its innovative Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System, which utilizes root zone treatment of sewage to ensure efficient and eco-friendly wastewater treatment. The campus boasts two eco-friendly Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with a capacity of 0.6 MLD each, treating sewage water and supplying approximately 5.5 lakh liters per day for horticulture and irrigation purposes.
Furthermore, IIT Gandhinagar has implemented extensive rainwater harvesting systems, capturing rooftop rainwater in strategically placed underground storage tanks known as Jal Mandaps. These tanks have a total storage capacity of approximately 64 lakh liters. The harvested rainwater is utilized to augment the domestic water supply within the campus.
Additionally, IITGN’s water management efforts extend to surface water storage lakes, where natural depressions on campus are utilized to collect stormwater runoff. These seasonal ponds not only serve as reservoirs for excess rainwater but also support biodiversity by providing habitats for migratory birds.
About IITGN: IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN), founded in 2008 and located in Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, offers a distinctive undergraduate and graduate education with innovative curricula that emphasize critical thinking, interdisciplinary knowledge, and a liberal arts approach. The institute’s student-centric philosophy fosters a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment, promoting project-oriented learning, compulsory design and life sciences courses, and global diversity. IITGN’s five-week Foundation Programme for new undergraduates earned the World Education Award 2013 for innovations in engineering education. Over 40% of students gain international study experience, reflecting IITGN’s commitment to excellence in science, technology, humanities, and social sciences. As India’s first 5-star GRIHA LD (Green) campus and the first 5-star campus for food safety and healthy eating, IITGN also upholds exemplary safety standards for its construction workforce, with practices recommended by the IIT Council for adoption across all IITs. To know more please visit https://www.iitgn.ac.in