February 2024

The Forest Man of India – Sow the Seed for a Better Eco System

amarsinghaniya62 / February 19, 2024 / Environment

The Forest Man of India paved path for youngsters to sow seeds. With the rising awareness of sustainability and the importance of protecting our environment, a lot of activities have been conducted by people on a global scale. Planting seeds and plants and encouraging others to do so is one of them. The Forest man of India did the same. It is a simple and easy task that consumes very little time, but on a large scale, when these seeds convert into big trees, they protect our environment beyond our expectations. They can decrease heat waves, droughts, landslides, floods, etc. The story of Forest Man of India is the best example of this. Who is the Forest Man of India? As a result of humankind’s never-ending need for resources and agricultural land to feed the world’s expanding population, forests are coming under more and more threat from deforestation. The loss of forests affects not only the amount of trees present but also the entire ecology that depends on them. As a teenager, Jadav Molai Payeng (Forest Man of India), a native of Majuli, Assam, witnessed this directly. He started planting seeds every day for more than 30 years and created a forest. This forest is named “Molai Forest” after his name. This forest accommodates different wildlife and many medicinal and spices-related plants. All these plants are grown without the use of any fertilizers or pesticides. The Indian Government has awarded the fourth prestigious award- Padma Shri, to the Forest Man of India for his efforts to protect the environment. How Did It All Started? A sixteen-year-old Jadav Payeng began planting a seedling tree every day in 1979. By planting one tree every day, he has now grown a forest the size of fifteen football fields all by himself. But how did it all start? Majuli, an island in the Brahmaputra River, was home to the native Mishing tribe. Not only that, but it’s the biggest inhabited river island on Earth. In 1979, Jadav Payang (Forest Man of India), a resident of the island, discovered numerous dead snakes spread throughout the island’s sandy banks, all of which had died from exposure to excessive heat. The floodwaters forced these reptiles to seek safety on the island, where they could not endure on the sandbar. The horrifying scene made him question if people would suffer the same fate. After that, he began looking for ideas for what he could do. Some older indigenous people advised him to plant bamboo, so he did so along the coast. This was the period when the island’s experimental forestation drive was started by the Assam State Forest Department’s social forestry branch in an effort to stop soil erosion and flooding. Countless villagers participated in the plantation drive, including Payeng, who remained behind long even though everyone else had left. Payeng continued to play sapling, transforming a section of land that was formerly part of the mainland but had become a river island owing to soil erosion into a healthy forest. This forest is 1390 acres now. Initially started with a variety of bamboo, he then planted different tree species, such as koroi, moj, himolu, ejar, valcol, and arjun, which eventually grew into a dense forest that is now self-sustaining. Along with tigers and rhinos, the Molai forest is home to over 100 deer, rabbits, monkeys, various birds, and a vast number of vultures. Every year, a big herd of elephants visits the forest and stays there for a few months. The government discovered Jadav’s forest in 2008 when a herd of approximately 100 wild elephants wandered into it. They have been annual visitors to the forest ever since. They often spend six months or so living in the jungle. In the forest, the elephants had given birth to ten calves. It is High Time We Take Inspiration Many climate changes have been happening globally in the past few years. Droughts, heat waves, floods, etc., are causing all the lives on this planet to suffer. While ocean pollution is causing the death of marine life, far more reasons are causing suffering to the lives on Earth. Planting seeds and sampling can be the best solution for these problems. Padma Shri award winner and the Forest Man of India Jadav Payeng also says the same. He tries his best to create awareness among youth about the crisis one can get if one neglects the steps to be taken to protect the environment. It’s high time we took inspiration from him and took an oath to plant a seed at least once a week! Conclusion One man- the Forest Man of India- had created a forest of 1390 acres by planting seeds or saplings every day for 30 years! This forest is larger than the central park, and he was awarded Padma Shri for his service to the environment. We should get inspiration from him and start sowing seeds for a better ecosystem.

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Plant a Tree: The Inspiring Tale of Tree Man of India

amarsinghaniya62 / February 16, 2024 / Environment

According to Tree Man of India, trees are the best solution for every climate-related problem we have today. But those trees are losing their lives because of deforestation. Over the past many years, many trees have been cut down in the name of infrastructure, urbanization, and industrialization. This may help in the growth of humankind in the name of evolution, but it indeed decreases the quality of the environment around us. Heat waves and climate changes are proof of this. A solution for this is planting more trees. The “Tree Man of India” knows this well. In today’s blog post, let us learn the inspiring tale of Vishnu Lamba, also known as the “Tree Man of India.” Who is the Tree Man of India? Vishnu Lamba, an environmental activist, is known as the “Tree Man of India.” He was born on 3rd June 1987 in a village called Lamba, in the Tonk district of Rajasthan State. As his village was located on the banks of the Banas River, he had been attracted to nature since his childhood. He had always preferred trees, plants, rivers, animals, and birds. His mother, Mrs. Sushila Devi, told him stories about the Ramayana and Mahabharata when he was little, which raised his consciousness of the need for social responsibility. His father sent him to Ramachandra Das Ji Maharaj of the Balaji Temple for cultural education when he didn’t feel like studying. Where Did It Started? Vishnu Lamba developed an intense connection with plants and animals as a child. Planting saplings and seeing them grow gave him comfort. But his passion became so intense that he started stealing plants from nearby fields and houses. Vishnu’s father sent him to study with his uncle in the city as he was worried about his actions. Despite the changes in the surroundings, Vishnu’s enthusiasm for tree planting remained constant. He became highly determined after observing the city’s pollution, waste disposal problems, ecological damage, and people’s lack of concern for protecting the environment. This strengthened his resolve to deal with the urgent problems of pollution and environmental imbalance. He started planting trees at that time. Creation of Shree Kalpataru Sansthan Vishnu Lamba faced obstacles in his work to save the Earth by planting trees entirely on his own. He, therefore, decided to take action and founded Shree Kalptaru Sansthan. He gathered young men and women and explained to them the value of planting trees. As more people got involved, the institute accomplished an incredible feat over the previous 27 years: planting and distributing 7.2 million seedlings at no cost. With the help of its committed staff, the institute is currently aiming to make 100 villages eco-friendly. Moreover, he had done all these works without any funding from the government. Efforts of Tree Man of India in Supporting the Environment Through Shree Kalptaru Sansthan, Vishnu Lamba has grown, planted, and distributed 10 million saplings, marking a significant accomplishment. This endeavor is crucial for addressing major issues like climate change in the near future. In addition to teaching many young people in the nation about their responsibility to trees and the environment through his environmental protection campaign, Mr. Lamba has also engaged them in his work. This will contribute to the education of a new generation about the need for environmental protection in the future. Shree Kalptaru Sansthan has played a significant role in educating the public about the preservation of medicinal plants such as Amla, Neem, Khejdi, and Giloy. These plants are very effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. By protecting endangered species like vermilion and tying environmental conservation to our cultural values, Mr. Lamba is striving to uphold India’s longstanding heritage of reverence for the natural world. Other Causes He Works For Over the course of the last 27 years, Mr. Lamba, the Tree Man of India, has not only concentrated on protecting wildlife, forests, and waterways, but he has also set an example for environmental work by working with the public. He had lent his hand in decreasing deforestation by stopping cutting many trees. A large number of people have participated, increasing awareness of environmental preservation. He also encouraged people around him to follow a sustainable lifestyle. He urged people to give Tulasi plants as welcome gifts and asked everyone to include plants as part of gift ideas. Regarding taking care of the environment, Mr. Lamba is a fantastic role model for today’s youth. Conclusion For Tree Man of India, every day is an environmental day. He likes to plant trees and give them as a gift on every occasion. It’s high time everyone took him as an inspiration and tried to plant as many trees as possible so that the present environmental damage could be cured as soon as possible.

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The Power of Color-Coded Dustbins in Waste Management

amarsinghaniya62 / February 14, 2024 / Environment, Sustainable Business

Color-Coded Dustbins have an important part in waste management. Despite raising awareness of a sustainable lifestyle, there are many people who randomly mix every type of waste in a single bin and throw it in a dump yard. But, in fact, this is not at all eco-friendly way. Organic waste, recyclable materials, and biowaste shouldn’t be mixed. When we aim for greener and cleaner surroundings, we should consider waste management and segregation as a vital part of our daily routine. Here is where color-coded dustbins come in handy for us. In this blog post, let us look at what benefits these color-coded dustbins offer and how to use them. Why Should We Need Color-Coded Dustbins? The concept of different colored dustbins basically helps in waste segregation. According to Waste Management Rules, 2016, waste segregators must separate wastage into three categories: dry, wet, and hazardous. Just like different types of recycle bins, they created different types of colored dustbins. Waste management and recycling companies encounter a broad range of materials when collecting, disposing of, or recycling waste. There are numerous options for gathering various types of trash. However, a well-defined system, such as color-coding dustbins, assists in understanding what’s inside each trash can and keeps workers safe as they work in these sectors. This is why the government of India has provided strict guidelines for color-coded dustbins. Along with helping them recognize what might be in those dustbins, these colored dustbins help them handle each bin according to their color. For example, recycling materials can be quickly sent to the recycling facilities, and it will help them separate the things that cannot be recycled easily. Different Colors of Dustbins and Their Utilities There are different colors of bins which are used for different purposes. Depending on the municipality authorities, these colors may differ from one place to another. However, the following colors are commonly used. 1. Red Color-Coded Dustbins These are used for hazardous waste. Biomedical waste, such as cotton bandages or anything containing human fluids, should be separated and disposed of using the red dustbin. It could potentially include human fluids. This dustbin is ideal for getting rid of our old masks. The red dustbins are also ideal for getting rid of sharp objects like broken glass and needles because they are not designed for waste workers to manually contact them. Also, general household trash that is unsuitable for the recycling or organics bins should be placed in the red dustbin. 2. Green Color-Coded Dustbins These green dustbins are used for wet waste. Vegetable scraps and fruit scraps can be thrown in compostable bins. However, if you don’t have compostable bins, you can dump them in green dustbins. You can also dump animal products, coconut shells, etc, in these bins, along with kitchen scraps. These bins are most commonly seen on the road. To keep odors contained, the top of the majority of these dustbins has a covered lid. Different vegetable peelings and scraps are disposed of in green dustbins. The dustbin holes are sealed because breathing in these odors can seriously harm your health. 3. Blue Dustbins Blue Dustbins are also seen as very common and are used to collect dry wastes. They are used to get rid of garbage that doesn’t biodegrade. The materials inside the blue dustbins are collected for recycling. This explains why you’ve probably noticed the majority of municipal employees moving around with the blue dustbins to gather household rubbish. As the waste inside the blue dustbins goes for recycling, you shouldn’t put any damp scraps on them. 4. Yellow Dustbin These are used for biochemical wastage. In the medical and healthcare industries, such as hospitals, yellow dustbins are frequently used to hold potentially contagious objects that may have come into contact with chemicals. Items such as gloves, aprons, masks, bandages, plasters, empty saline bags, and wipes are frequently disposed of in yellow dustbins. Benefits of Using Color-Coded Dustbins Conclusion Color-coded Dustbins encourage environmentally conscious behaviors and sustainable waste management techniques. These bins enable people to actively participate in resource conservation, pollution reduction, and protecting the environment for future generations by simplifying the waste sorting process. When we throw the waste in these color-coded dustbins, we can quickly achieve a cleaner and greener environment around us.

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Use Waste Plastic to Create Roads: A Genius Idea of “Plastic Man of India”

Abhay Gupta / February 9, 2024 / Environment

Plastic has become a significant challenge for people who follow a sustainable lifestyle. Considering the adverse effects of plastic, many people have been replacing it or recycling it to decrease its impact on the environment. However, there are still many plastics-related items that cannot be recycled. For example, when you buy a packet of chips, the wrapper is hard to recycle because of its oil marks. So, what can we do with such plastic items? A genius idea by the “Plastic Man of India” gave a solution to this question. Who is the Plastic Man of India? Rajagopalan Vasudevan, an Indian scientist in the field of Chemistry, has been called the “Plastic Man of India” for his innovative way of using plastic to create sustainable and durable roads. For his unique invention, in 2018, he was awarded with the fourth highest civilian honor of India – Padma Shri. Born in Tamil Nadu, he works as a professor at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai. Why Did He Get the Name-Plastic Man of India? Even though plastic can be recycled, some types of plastic cannot be recycled. Moreover, recycling can take place only a few times, and this process can consume lots of energy and resources, too. On the other hand, we all know the adverse effects plastic can cause. It can cause many harmful effects on the environment, including becoming a non-decomposable waste, releasing toxins when dumped on the earth, creating ocean pollution, and thus affecting the lives of marine animals. This raised lots of discussions and serious talks about banning plastic in the country. In 2000, Professor Vasudevan wanted to experiment from his side to find a solution for the waste plastic. He, along with his team at the Center for Studies on Solid Waste Management (CSSWM), started doing various studies and experiments on waste plastic. In 2002, they mixed plastic with heated bitumen and experimented. It succeeded, and they created a road in their college with a mixture of heated bitumen and plastic scrap. This road had become robust and successful. In 2006, the college received a patent for this technique. This journey to utilize scrap plastic in a new way and this unique invention gave him the name “Plastic Man of India.” What is the Process for Making Plastic Roads? Building roads using plastic is a complex process. However, it’s a really fascinating process. The initial step in the process of creating plastic roadways is shredding. In this stage, the received plastic components are broken up into tiny pieces. Here, every last bit of dust is eliminated. The second step involves mixing all of the crushed pieces with hot gravel. To ensure that all of the plastic melts, this mixture is heated to 160°C. After that, it is poured onto the heated asphalt roads. Once it cools down, the roads are ready for usage. The technique is easy because it requires no additional equipment or industrial participation. Not only that, but less bitumen means less use of its resources. Moreover, waste plastic can be used safely in this way. This process benefits the environment and a sustainable lifestyle and doesn’t release toxic gases like dioxin. Which Type of Plastic Can be Used to Create Plastic Roads? I’m sure you’re wondering what kind of plastic is used in the plastic roads. Road construction can make extensive use of a variety of waste materials. Among them are plastic containers for chips, cookies, chocolates, mugs, cups, and carry bags. A circular on the use of plastic waste for building rural roads was also released by the Ministry of Rural Development. Materials that can be used to construct these roads include laminated plastic, carry bags, cups with a maximum thickness of 60 microns, hard and soft foams of any thickness, and packing materials coated with aluminum up to 60 microns thick. Nevertheless, flux sheets and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are prohibited. Are These Plastic Roads Safe? Plastic roads are safe and budget-friendly ones. When the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) assessed the performance of plastic roads, it discovered that even after four years, the streets exhibited no common defects. There were no Potholes, edge faults, rodding, rut depth, or raveling. Plastic-made highways improve the sustainability of the environment and are considered the best sustainable innovation. They have been shown to be more cost-effective and durable. Bitumen and plastic stick to each other well since they are both petroleum-based materials. For this reason, they boost the roadways’ weight-bearing capability and longevity. Additionally, the plastic roadways show improved resistance to damage from rain. Another Creation of R.Vasudevan- Plastone Another invention resulted from Prof. R Vasudevan’s propensity for continuous experimentation. He made the decision to attempt making a stone block coated in plastic, and “plastone” was born in 2012. Waste plastic and stone are combined to create a plastone block. It is proven to be more resistant to water percolation and to tolerate higher pressures. Plastone blocks have been created at the professor’s chemistry department using leftover granite, ceramic, and plastic trash. About six PET bottles and 300 plastic carry bags are used for every plastone block. Plastone’s non-porous nature and capacity to stop penetration of water are two of its main benefits. Plastone is suitable for flooring, particularly outdoors. It can be an affordable and reliable alternative in place of cement blocks, which tend to deteriorate under continuous rain. It can be a useful liner for canals and other bodies of water to stop water seepage. Moreover, compound walls can be raised with it. It can be made colorful and appealing by applying an emulsion coat. Conclusion The unique and most useful innovations of Plastic Man of India raised a new evolution. Many national highways were constructed using this technique. His innovation gave a solution to many waste disposal problems. People are already using alternatives to plastic, and his innovation is adding to this motivation to decrease the harmful effects of plastic as much as we can. Image Source – thehindubusinessline and India Times

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Online Thrift Shop In India – One-Stop Destination for Unique Products

Abhay Gupta / February 7, 2024 / Sustainable Living, Sustainable Business

Things that aren’t useful for one may be helpful for others. Thrift stores operate on this very principle. Simply put, thrift stores are second-hand stores where you can get unique and vintage clothing and other products. In this internet era, second-hand products have gained popularity, and online thrift shops in India are rising in number because of this demand. You can get your desired items at lower prices through these stores. Additionally, buying through thrift stores aids in donations and supports sustainable living. Agree or not, many people nowadays want to do something for the environment to make it better. That’s why from straws to everything we use in our daily life, people prefer sustainable materials. With the same intention, people prefer thrift shopping to decrease textile wastage and help the environment. India is no exception. You can find second-hand clothes online through many websites. Let’s explore a few of them. 1. Bodements If you’re looking for fashionable equipment, including second-hand clothes at reasonable prices in India, Bodements is the place to go. You can also give them your used clothes for selling to another customer. The store is known for providing regular and daily-wear clothes, accessories, and other fashion equipment, all with unique and eye-catching designs. 2. Carol’s Shop Carol’s shop is the best online thrift shop India has. Carol’s shop has unique designs and printed clothing. There is a vast collection of refreshing and unique printed clothing for all the fashion-enthusiastic people around the whole of India. They even have an Instagram page where they regularly update their latest collections. You can consider this second-hand store to purchase all your favorite fashion items at the lowest prices. 3. Aima Vintage Aima Vintage is more famous for its second hand clothes. The main purpose of this online store is to provide all the collections of 60s and 70s styles of clothing to the people. The shop is appropriate for those people who are crazy about wearing printed pants and apparel. 4. RedEmpress Are you the one who wants to maintain your fashion status but simultaneously wants to decrease your carbon footprint? Then, RedEmpress is for you! You can follow their Instagram profile and explore their products. They offer all the printed shirts both for men and women with gold chain links. If you love printed shirts but want to save money on them, then you can buy these second hand clothes online. 5. Viange Do you want to appear like a celebrity and maintain the same fashion statement? Then the next best thrift store online in India is Viange. They are also famous for selling designer clothing and jewelry to audiences at reasonable prices. Their jewelry looks incredible, and you can even use them for your eco-friendly wedding. Audiences can also sell their own used second-hand clothing at the store anytime. 6. Folkpants For people looking for oversized white pants, the next online thrift store is Folkpants for you. This is the best unique thrift store online in India. With minimalistic fashion and bold designs, their products have gingham prints and spot florals. They are also famous for giving dramatic collars and sleeves, and they recycle old clothes to create these incredible designs. 7. Mirinwon Mirinwon is perfect for casual-wear lovers, offering a range of casual dresses and chic formal clothes. From printed shirts to bags, everything is available in this store. They sell branded and vintage clothes for men and women in extensive collections. 8. Vintage Inc If you are looking for a huge collection of winter jackets, sweaters, and other things, this particular store, vintage INC, is the best option. All the clothes are mostly at affordable prices for people who are looking for second-hand best, quality clothes. 9. Dolce Vee This is another online thrift shop in India that can help you to get all your favorite clothing items, footwear, accessories, jewelry, and other things. If you want something branded at low prices, this store is your best destination. 10. Slow Cat Store This store offers outstanding and attractive printed T-shirts. It sells the kind of wacky, eccentric items you’d find at a thrift store, such as plaid button-downs with oversized flowers or satin blouses with asymmetrical panels. Men who are more into funk than others are welcome here. 11. Bombay Closet Cleanse Bombay Closet Cleanse is a green business idea with a physical store in Bandra. You can find lovely bodysuits, skirts, crop tops, and more at this women-run charity store. They also donate a lot to needy NGOs. With their products, you can add sustainability to your wardrobe. 12. Curated Findings This online thrift store was founded after the pandemic. This store quickly became well-known for the quality of its handcrafted goods. The company is proud to offer ‘unique’ and ‘sustainable’ products, emphasizing the quality of the textiles and fabric. 13. Snazzy Thrift Snazzy Thrift is one of the best-known thrift shops in the country for promoting eco-friendly clothing. You can find vintage and pre-loved items in their collection. At Snazzy Thrift, you can find everything you need to look fabulous without spending too much. 14. Lulu Thrifts Lulu Thrifts is a home-based business that operates as a boutique shop on Instagram. They sell a wide variety of items, including handcrafted resin goods, clothing, bags, and shoes, with orders processed and mailed out weekly on Mondays. 15. Amalfi Originally founded with the idea of making “thrifting a regular trend,” Amalfi has grown into one of the greatest sustainable e-commerce platforms in the country. They carry both mainstream and high-end labels and donate most of their annual profits to charity. Conclusion Sustainable living is necessary for us to save the earth from climate change. Thrift shopping is one sustainable way of living. It’s just like any regular shopping, but you get the same attractive clothes and other items, often at lower prices. Plus, it’s budget-friendly. So, what are you waiting for? Start thrift shopping and make a positive impact on the environment!

Online Thrift Shop In India – One-Stop Destination for Unique Products Read More »

The Forest Man of India – Sow the Seed for a Better Eco System

Plant a Tree: The Inspiring Tale of Tree Man of India

The Power of Color-Coded Dustbins in Waste Management

Use Waste Plastic to Create Roads: A Genius Idea of “Plastic Man of India”

Online Thrift Shop In India – One-Stop Destination for Unique Products

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