The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jammu, has embarked on a pioneering partnership with the Jammu and Kashmir administration, aiming to transform more than 4000 panchayats into carbon-neutral entities. In a significant step towards sustainable development, IIT-Jammu has commenced the training of panchayat secretaries to conduct surveys for assessing the carbon neutrality status of villages.
Under the aegis of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), the institution recently conducted a comprehensive training program for 120 panchayat secretaries at its Jagti campus. The move comes in response to Palli village in the Samba district achieving the distinction of becoming the first carbon-neutral panchayat last year. This achievement was commemorated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of a 500-kilowatt solar plant in the village.
With approximately 4200 panchayats dispersed across the Union Territory, the endeavor to attain carbon neutrality is a long-term aspiration that is expected to span several years. A household survey document has been meticulously prepared to capture crucial details of the villages, which will subsequently be analyzed by IIT-Jammu. The survey encompasses a wide array of information, including daily and annual plastic disposal, water consumption patterns, availability of electronic devices such as computers and mobiles, as well as the number of domestic animals. Additionally, the survey delves into the intricate specifics of energy consumption, encompassing sources like electricity, kerosene, biogas, and firewood. Notably, it also catalogues the usage of vehicles by villagers.
Highlighting the potential impact of this collaboration, Professor Uma Shankar of the Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering at IIT-Jammu stated, “Through active collaboration with the institutional expertise, the concept of green auditing for villages can be realized expeditiously, ultimately paving the way for the entire Jammu and Kashmir region to achieve carbon neutrality. This significant milestone holds the promise of contributing to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.”
Sheetal Pandita, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, revealed that a dedicated online portal is in the works to facilitate the streamlined submission of survey data from all panchayats. This step is poised to enhance the efficiency of the data collection process and bolster the administration’s efforts towards achieving carbon neutrality.
(Inputs from Tribune)
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
