Mizoram University’s green campus: Setting the right example

Picture courtesy: Mizoram University

Mizoram University a state-level universiy located near Aizawl, offers over 75 courses to the students of the state as well as rest of the country. About 16% of students and 50% of faculty members come from various parts of the country. The university is well-equipped with the best and most advanced infrastructure to train and educate students in all professional and personal aspects. However, the most striking feature of the university is not its academia or but its commitment towards environment.

Mizoram University not only offers unique courses in natural and physical sciences and forestry, like course in Phylogenetic Studies and Molecular Entomology; but is also itself a fine example of environment conservation.

Picture courtesy: Mizoram University

Located at Tanhril in the outskirts of Aizawl city, the varsity is one of the first universities in India to run effectively on Solar Power System. Here’s looking at the measures the university has taken towards environment conservation:

• To fulfill the electricity requirement of the campus, MZU has set up 700KWp solar photo voltaic power plant. All the buildings, water heaters and streetlights within the campus are supported by the solar photo voltaic power plant for electricity.
• We all know that water storage and harvesting is the need of the hour and for that MZU has constructed 18 RCC reservoirs.
• The university has installed a permanent geodetic GPS station that monitors ground motion in the region.
• According to a report, 90% of the state’s land is covered with forest and MZU has done its bit to maintain the percentage. It houses a 7-hectare botanical garden comprising of a number of green houses, a fruit garden, a herbal garden, bambusetum and arboretum, developed by the Department of environmental sciences.
• MZU has also installed air pollution monitoring device in the campus to keep a constant check on the pollution level.
• For its efforts to save the environment, the Mizoram State Pollution Control Board awarded MZU Grade ‘A’ in 2013 in a green audit.

MZU is a great example for other universities to emulate towards environment conservation. If we want to save our planet not only do we have to take measures now but also teach the next generation to keep the environment green and healthy.