Green Protocol is a set of non-negotiable and/or standard operating procedures (SOP) where environmentally responsible practices, education, and research go hand-in-hand thereby creating a healthy environment and community. Starting from ponds to lakes, catchment areas, streams, rivers, and even oceans got irreversibly polluted. Extensive urbanization and urban sprawl is the main root cause for such kind of water-related threats and associated environmental issues. One such polluted site, that currently needs attention, is the Kanakan Lake at Oulgaret Municipality of Puducherry. Waterbody restoration measures initiated by, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi, had furthered this research study in association with Dr. Golda A. Edwin and Dr. M. Nandhivarman (Pondicherry University Alumni) and the APSCC. The report highlights, lake details, the voluntary efforts taken by a cluster of educational institutions; the Government of India and Puducherry initiatives; pond rejuvenation and its relevance to sustainable development goals; green protocol for lake/ pond. Among various other threats, 22 site-specific serious threats, that need immediate attention were identified, carefully investigated and logical recommendations were provided. In addition, to promote ‘ecotourism’, unique selling propositions (USPs) and measures for immediate rejuvenation were identified and recommended in this report.
The disappearance of ecosystem services, from India and the world at large, is a well-accepted fact. The unseen aquifers are either irreversibly or reversibly threatened and even the available water is dwindling. Currently, due to extensive urbanization, even the important cultural/ historical/ heritage sites are facing serious threats. A heritage site that currently needs attention, is – ‘Ayee Kulum’ at Oulgaret Municipality of Puducherry. This report, prepared under the direction of Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi, provides a background on aquifer, cone of depression, saltwater intrusion, formation and effect of sinkhole along with the details about Muthiraiyarpalayam Head Works of Public Works Department. Apart from other threats, 28 site-specific serious threats (human factors), that needs immediate attention were identified and recommendations were provided. Along with this, to promote ‘ecotourism coupled with cultural heritage tourism’, ‘unique selling propositions’ and measures for immediate rejuvenation were also identified and recommended in this report. To further the Government of India and Puducherry initiatives; pond rejuvenation and its relevance to sustainable development goals and a green protocol for lake/ pond were also highlighted.
The Department of Science Technology and Environment, Govt. of Puducherry, confers the “Environment Award – 2016” for the individual category to Ms. Golda Edwin, founder member of APSCC, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the environment and to the public during the years 2013-15. The award was presented by the Honorable Chief Minister of Puducherry during the Independence Day event. The award was a recognition of her role as a teacher, environmentalist and researcher for the past 15 plus years with a fundamental goal of fostering Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Development. She is also the co-founder of APSCC and has initiated the ‘Green Campus Program’ emphasizing more on the field level work and activity based learning at school and college campuses of Puducherry and beyond.
