To save the green lands

CHENNAI: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is set to launch the green brigade — a movement comprising college students for promoting sustainability in Chennai.TT Ashok, Chairman — Southern region, CII, briefed on the sidelines of a felicitation ceremony in Chennai for Indian University representatives at the 11th edition of the Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin. He said that the green brigade was a product of a study conducted at Thiruvanmiyur on sustainability issues such as waste disposal, power and greenery.“Students from each college who are part of the initiative can share the information about various sustainability efforts carried out in their respective institutions,” he said “For instance, few engineering college hostels are doing a good job in power conservation. This can be extended to Loyola or Ethiraj Colleges.” He added that the CII was holding talks with 27 colleges in and around Chennai for the purpose.Ashok also stated that he had made a recommendation to the CII to set up a water institute in South India along the lines of the one at Jaipur. According to him, the Jaipur-based institute run by the CII is dealing with issues pertaining to sustainable water management. “We are planning to open the regional hubs for the water institute, and I have recommended one for the south,” he added.Raising concerns over the reducing greenery in Chennai, he said, the extent of Pallikaranai marshland has come down to 650 acres from 5,000 acres. “Waste is being dumped on the marshland, while temple tanks, which were the good sources for groundwater have been encroached upon for constructing buildings,” he lamented.