Eco Responsive

Expressing Eco concerns through Art

2008-02-16T11:30:00.002+05:30

We were delighted to have the children express their views about ecology.

Minutes of Eco Committee Meeting on 7th January 2008

2008-01-07T19:04:00.000+05:30

Attendees

Manjit
Diti
Chandrakant
Harsh
Seema
Devatanu
Priyank

Discussions:

Ecoresponsive celebrated its 6 months anniversary today by cutting a delicious chocolate cake.
Experts will be called in this year to discuss various eco issues
Eco site name was fixed and the domain registeration would be done by Prakash aas soon as possible
Discussions on how Car stickers will be made by kids
Various Ec0responsive events can be given out to press to make people understand what steps we are taking to be ecosensitive.
Idea of adopting a nursery was forwarded by Seema
The venue for Tree Plantation drive needs to be decided. Also the cost for the same should be as minimal as possible.
Ideas on how we can shape the tender minds of young kids to be Ecoresponsive were discussed.
Venue for kids events / workshops will be found out.
Kids of the employees would be invited as guests to participate in the events.

Minutes of Eco Committee Meeting on 14th December 2007

2007-12-17T09:41:00.000+05:30

Attendees

manjit

diti

payal

ambar

prakash

chandrakant

harsh

seema

Discussions:

Registration details
get the original DVD for distribution
collecting cd’s / newspaper for recycling
Car Stickers – by jan mid
Eco website ground work to initiate
search plastic recyclers
list of ideas on the blog
bags to be sent children specific org (which one to be figured out)
followup with crayons
next meeting - 7^th jan 08 - 10pm – lower parel office (compulsory for all eco members)

Eco Responsive Committee Meeting - 16th Nov 2007

2007-11-16T14:28:00.000+05:30

Attendees

1. Prakash

2. Ambar

3. Seema

4. Harsh

5. Payal

6. Nilesh

Discussion

Paper Bags workshop to be conducted on 1^st December 2007, Seema & Payal to figure out more ideas for it
Inconvenient Truth DVD’s to go out to each Divisions asap. Prioritize it to Yellow since the demand there is high (Priyank / Harsh)
Getting Kids involved & finding out ideas/program to communicate with them to be considered as one of the future points (Seema)
Some Ideas as a part of Creative Induction has been implemented at Yellow, Payal to share the slide with Ambar
“You are Guilty” – wait for the right time to launch this.(Payal / Seema)
Decision taken to sponsor a child at Crayons. Payal to give more details to Seema (Seema / Payal)
Prioritize disposal of Shredded Paper & Bus Tickets, funds generated to be deposited with eco funds. (Manjit / Seema)
Discontinue the collection of Bus Tickets. Seema to figure out how to communicate with the employees.
Source out organizations who recycle Plastic Bags. etc (All the Eco Members)
Mango Tree__ Seema to follow-up
Karmayog Site (Payal / Priyank)
Merchandising Website for our own initiative (Dev/Payal)
Seema will follow up on the merchandise sold by Indian artisans
Homepage for merchandise site (Seema/Dev/Payal)
7 th jan 08 site should be up and running
www.thewallartstore.com benchmark for merchandise. Can call it the ecostore.com. (Prakash will block it up for us if available). ecoshop, ecopoint, ecocentre came up with a list of names and check their availability. greenshopper.com
Design homepage to show organization interested, identify organizations and shops - for online eco store
list down the budget for the website (Dev. Approval Seema)
“Eco Responsive” the name to be registered (Seema / Harsh)
Next meeting 10am on 29th Nov 2007 at Lower Parel Office

Solar Products

2007-11-09T17:24:00.000+05:30

Objective : Save Energy, Save Environment.

Solar Energy
Solar energy flow is not a cycle, but a flow from the sun to the biosphere. It is one of the four basic ecosystem processes or windows through which we can begin to perceive the ecosystem as a whole. Solar products are innovative mechanisms that help conserve energy, thus, help maintain the ecosystem. Solar products are environmentally friendly and are usually cost effective as well.

Today, there are several solar power products in the market for our home and office use. Solar Products include items such as solar hot water heaters, solar heating systems, solar panels, solar flashlights, small radios, solar calculators, solar battery chargers, solar lanterns, solar lighting, solar car batteries and much more.

Paper Bags and Notebooks

2007-11-08T17:20:00.000+05:30

Objective : Save Trees and the Environment.

Everyday we face debates on the ban of plastic bags. The much cry in the air for the ban of plastic bags has raised numerous question for us. Why to ban plastic bags, as they are strong and convenient? What is the logic behind it? And, what is the alternative?

The Plastic & Environment
Plastic bags are popular with consumers and retailers as they are a functional, lightweight, strong, cheap, and hygienic way to transport food and other products. The over consumption of plastic bags find their way on to our streets, parks, and into our waterways.

In past few decades the use of plastic has increased all over the world. Plastic is a big threat to our Planet Earth. The reason is plastics are not biodegradable. Plastic is not capable of being decomposed by biological agents. Hence, when thrown after use, it is not decomposed, which tends to threat the earth.

Although plastic bags make up only a small percentage of the total litter zones, the impact of these bags is no doubt significant. Plastic bags create visual pollution problems and can have catastrophic effects on aquatic and terrestrial animals. Plastic bags are particularly striking components of the litter zone due to their size and can take a long time to fully break down (not biodegradable).

The Eco-friendly Alternative - Paper Bags
The alternative is the Paper Bag which is always environment friendly and easily biodegradable. Hence, to save our environment and our earth from the catastrophic plastics, we should start using paper made products.

These Paper Bags are either made of virgin wood pulp or recycled paper or handmade papers. Most paper bags are made from kraft paper. Kraft paper may be unbleached (brown) or bleached (white) and can be made in a wide variety of strengths or thickness (called "weight" by the industry).

Types of Paper Shopping Bags
The Paper Shopping Bags come in an exhaustive range. They are ideally made to suite the consumers requirement. They come in varied size and shape as per the packaging needs. Some of them are listed below

Paper Bag
Paper grocery bags come in a variety of paper weights from light (30 lb.) to heavy-duty (70 lb.) and 14 stock sizes, capable of holding 2 to 25 pounds. The standard paper grocery bag measures about 12 inches wide, 7 inches deep, and 17 inches tall. A shorter bag, measuring just 14 inches tall, is becoming increasingly popular. Today's paper grocery bags may also have a paper handle - making them easy to carry and reuse.

Retail Bags
Basically paper bags are used for packages that consumers buy. The paper bags are often used to hold nuts, candy, and potato chips. The much stronger one are used in packaging all types of food products, textiles, hardware, candy, sugar, flour, rice, peas, beans, and spices.

Fast Food Bags
Paper bags are the ideal solution for fast food stores.

The paper bags
Have good insulation properties, keeping food items hot.
Allow the food to "breathe," letting moisture escape so french fries, burgers, chicken, and sandwiches don't get soggy.
Are fast and easy for workers to fill.
Offer superior promotional opportunities.
Are recyclable and made from recycled content.

Multiwall Bags
A multiwall bag is two to six bags, one sitting inside the other. These bags are exceptionally strong because each layer carries its own share of the weight of the product, so the bags often are used to ship large quantities of heavy materials.

Handmade paper notebook
Notebooks made of Handmade paper are quiet popular these days. As they are made of handmade papers, they are eco-friendly. These notebooks are now available in various designs and colours. The handmade paper notebooks are directly engaged in saving hundreds and thousands of trees. By buying and using the handmade paper notebooks you will be directly or indirectly involved in saving our Planet Earth from "Deforestation" and "Greenhouse Effects".

Bus Ticket Update

2007-11-08T12:59:00.000+05:30

Its official - we have collected 52163 tickets as on date.

All thanks to Ashmi Kothari & Imran Patel for their major contribution in ticket collection by providing us with 10,000 tickets & 3,500 tickets respectively.

An Inconvenient Truth - the crisis of global warming

2007-11-08T12:56:00.000+05:30

The DVD of “An Inconvenient Truth” now available at your respective division Libraries. Please borrow the same to have a precise understanding of what is Global Warming and ways we can avoid further destruction of our mother Planet.

Handmade Paper

2007-11-07T17:18:00.000+05:30

Objective : To reduce the amount of paper waste generated by offices; To reduce the demand for paper made from virgin wood fibre; To save our Planet Earth from Global Warming and Greenhouse Effect; To stop deforestation and to save our forest reserves.

The Facts
It is well known fact that, to produce 1 tonne of paper from virgin pulp require 17 large trees, which leads to more tree cut and more deforestation. When forests are cleared, natural habitats are destroyed or disrupted, species may become extinct and native communities dwelling in the forest areas are impacted. Besides, cutting down old forests leads to a loss of diversity. Trees also serve a function of soaking up carbon dioxide, which is one of the main greenhouse gases that accelerates global warming.

The Warning for the Environment
The average office worker throws away 35-50 kg of paper per year. In Singapore, 500,000 tonnes of paper is thrown away every year, and this is equivalent to the destruction of about 8.5 million trees.

The Care for the Environment
There is a growing concern around the globe for preserving our forest reserves. The "Greenhouse Effect" has led people to become more alert about the environmental concerns. It has been seen that, in the recent few years various corporations, communities, government agencies and others are coming forward to promote products and technologies that lead to the preservation of the environment.

Global Benefits of Handmade Papers
The paper-making process uses energy, water and chemicals and produces wastes. Paper made from recycled fibres or Handmade Paper requires at least 50% less energy and up to 75% less water than making it from virgin fibre. It also produces up to 90% less wastewater and reduces air pollution by 70%.

Common Benefits of Handmade Paper
Today, there is a revival in homemade papermaking crafts. It's a good way to recycle waste into wonderful possibilities. Handmade paper is environment friendly as cotton rags and other waste products are converted into something meaningful by recycling. This leads to less deforestation.

The Benefits are :
Use of non-wood raw materials, thus saving trees.
Made with pollution free methods as solar energy is used extensively.
Acid free.
Higher tensile, bursting, tearing and double-fold strength as compared to mill made paper.
Fine and elegant quality.

Handicraft Products

2007-11-07T17:16:00.000+05:30

Objective : To prevent animal cruelty & deforestation and promote kindness to animals & trees worldwide

Eco-friendly Handicraft Items
The products which are made of environment friendly materials are Eco-Friendly products. Generally the eco-products do not harm the environment in any form. The products which are made of leather, wood or any other parts of animal such as ivory, bones, horns, etc. are not eco-friendly products. These product are generally made by killing animals, birds or cutting trees, which results in deforestation and extinction of animals. Both deforestation and extinction of animals are harmful for our ecosystem and our Planet Earth.

Today, numerous debates are on, to protect animals and trees. Several animal and environmental rights organisations are coming forward to stop killing of animals and trees. Laws are also made to protect animals & trees from illegal trade.

The Eco-Friendly Handicraft Items
Eco-Friendly Handicraft Items are of made of jutes, waste materials, handmade paper products, polywood products, fabric products, handmade greeting cards, recycled bottles, recycled products, biodegradable products, etc.

In the making of Handicrafts Items there is less use of energy. As the products are mostly made in homes.

Eco Wheels

2007-11-06T17:13:00.000+05:30

Objective : Save The Planet Earth.

"In addition to appearance, price and performance, consumers in the 21st century should also regard low emissions, low noise and low fuel consumption as references when purchasing a car, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)

The Need of the Vehicle
The need for supportable transportation has become clear, as we face the world wide results of our dependancy on fosil fuels that has resulted in global warming. There is no greater threat to global security and sustainability than global warming. It is now time to take personal responability to make changes in our lifestyle, that can reduce green house gas emissions. By just selecting the right personal transporation is one area that each one of us can make to avoid the green house gas emissions.

It is now high time that, we should start accepting ecologically resposnable vehicles. Today, there a variety of zero emission vehicles that can address a great number of our transportation needs.

Eco vehicles are designed according to the customer's, the environment's and the society's benefit.

Automobile is one of the most popular technologies ever developed. However, automobiles are presently responsible for about 20% of global energy consumption and the effluents from internal combustion engines (ICEs) in cars pollute our air (environment). The dominant role of the automobile in the economic development of the world's richest nations and the addictive convenience of cars provided to consumers have created powerful socioeconomic momentum which will resist either shifts away from automotive transport or rapid changes in the mature technology used in modern cars. Nevertheless, substantial changes are unavoidable if cars are to become sustainable.

Eco- Vehicles - Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) offer considerable promise to reduce the negative impacts of automobiles on the environment. In principle, EVs are far more efficient than ICE vehicles in converting energy into motion. Most EVs currently on the market have been converted from ICE vehicles. But, to make EVs acceptable, the steps that are required are - improve performance, reduce costs, win consumer acceptance and make EV technology sustainable over the long term.

The Warning Signal
Modern internal combustion engine (ICE) automobiles convert fossil deposits of ancient forests into CO2, water, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and other exhaust gases which foul the air we breath and warm the climate. People use cars for about 20% of global energy consumption. The hulks of discarded autos blemish the landscape and leach toxic materials into the environment. Fuel additives containing lead, which are still used in many countries, poison the air and soil and may be especially dangerous to the intellectual development of young children.

Despite the serious negative effects of cars on the environment, it seems unlikely that people will voluntarily forego the unparalleled convenience they provide. To make automobile manufacture and use sustainable over the long term, automobiles must consume much less energy per distance travelled, be readily recyclable, and not emit toxic or climate altering substances in significant quantities. Though, today EVs depend on the electricity which is generated from combustion of fossil fuels, but, eventually, EVs can be completely powered by batteries charged by solar energy. But, the requirements for EVs is to be accepted in the marketplace and, eventually, to drastically reduce the negative impacts of automotive industrialisation on the environment.

EVs - Satisfying Consumers
Convincing consumers to purchase commercial EVs will require performance similar to that available from concurrent ICE vehicles. Although environment-friendly products are popular, few buyers are willing to spend substantially greater amounts of money for inconvenient products with inferior performance. Most drivers today have the impression that EVs are expensive, slow, in both acceleration and top speed, and have very limited range. However, today's best EV technologies rival the performance of ICE vehicles in most respects. Electric vehicles can be also be expected to make rapid gains in those categories in which they lag.

The Benefits of Eco Vehicles
Eco-Vehicles improves road safety as well as the quality of the local and global environment and saves fuel and costs. Additionally Eco-Vehicle provides direct benefits to the drivers and the passengers - more comfort and a relaxed atmosphere. Eco-Vehicles reduces noise pollution as well as air, land and water pollution.

Eco Shoes

2007-11-06T16:38:00.000+05:30

Objective : Save trees & animals, save the Biosphere.

Man is always
It was time when, leather was the only product, which was used to manufacture shoes. The leather which were extracted from animal, resulting in killing of thousands of wildlife reserves. The growing population, developing into growing need of leather has resulted in the extinction of several wildlife animals. This continuous use of leather resulted in a threat to the wildlife resource and then the ecosystem.

The Eco-Shoes are shoes, which can be recycled and reused. Today, numerous shoe making organisations are coming forward with eco-friendly shoes. These footwears mostly comprises of Recycled rubber, recycled plastics, waste products, textiles, and other synthetic products.

Eco Furniture

2007-11-05T16:36:00.000+05:30

Objective : Save Trees, Save the Environment, Save the Planet .

Wood & Ecosystem
Wood is the most precious part of man's life. Wood has always attracted man since ages. Ever since his existence man is influenced by the elegance of wood. In the primal days wood was the source of fire & energy. The enormous use of wood has led to deforestation, resulting in Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming. Fortunately, the concern for healthy environment has prompted man to think again and again on the use of wood.

But, its sophistication & ornateness still inspires man to make varied products of decoration and home furnishing.

Today, the Global Warming and Greenhouse Effects have started threatening man to stop the overuse of wood. But, what do we do to make furnitures then? What are the alternatives? Furnitures are the essential part of our home. The thirst for beauty and elegance has always encouraged man to find charming alternatives to wood.

Today, there are many alternatives to wooden furnitures, which are eco-friendly furnitures. Eco-friendly furnitures are aimed towards less use of wood and more use of waste products and other products, the use of which are not a threat to our environ.

Eco-Furnitures
Eco-furnitures made with endurable materials can be easily separated and re-recycled, representing an easier, softer way to go green in your home. And the possibilities are endless and enthusing.

Today, there are desk with a removable top and legs that can be disassembled and put into a recycling bin in less than fifteen seconds to change its design. There are chairs made from straw particleboard and recycled steel.

Currently, the industry and the market is packed with Eco-furnitures made of wheat panels, sunflower board, aluminum, polywoods, wrought irons, metals, stones, post consumer materials, all of which are available in attractive designs and colours.

Eco Friendly Paints

2007-11-05T16:23:00.000+05:30

Objective : Save the Planet Earth.

The Facts
There are more than 10,000 chemicals that can be used in conventional paints; many of which are newly created chemical components with little research conducted regarding their long-term effects on both humans and the environment. Many of these chemicals may lead to health problems or complicate existing conditions. Low level exposure to paint may irritate or burn the eyes, nose, throat and skin and cause reactions such as headaches, dizziness or nausea.

These symptoms are generally mild and will subside once the direct exposure has ceased. However, high levels of exposure to some of the elements in paint, even for a short period of time, can cause severe and lasting impacts such as kidney or liver damage or respiratory problems. Substances found in some paint, such as formaldehyde and benzene, are carcinogenic while others, such as heavy metals and phthalates, are human and ecosystem toxins.

Eco Paints & Environment
Today, to save the ecosystem there are paints with non-toxic elements. These environmental friendly choices are made for a healthier lifestyle. The use of Eco Paints ensures a healthier body and greener environment to live. The Eco-Paints are Non-toxic with zero VOC (Volatile Organic Content) and have no odour and can be tinted to any colour your heart or home desires with non-toxic tints. Eco Paints are also safe for the chemically sensitive.
The Eco-Paints are produced from fewer than 250 chemical components and more than 98 % of these chemicals are naturally derived from plant sources and minerals. Most of the ingredients have been used for centuries or more. The raw materials that are low in toxic substances, renewable and feature a low environmental footprint.

In the Eco-Paints, the paints, stains, thinners and waxes are made from naturally-derived raw materials including citrus peel extracts, essential oils, seed oils, tree resins, inert mineral fillers, tree and bee waxes, lead-free dryers and natural pigments.

Eco Fan

2007-11-04T12:02:00.000+05:30

Object : Save Energy, Save the Environment.

The Eco-Fan
Eco - Fan is a soundless, powerful ( up to150 cfm ) fan that stands on top of your woodstove to help distribute warm air throughout your house but doesn't use electricity! This environment friendly freestanding heat-powered Eco-Fan is designed to improve the efficiency of a wood stove by circulating the warm air produced by the stove. When placed on top of a heated surface, the Eco-Fan generates its own electricity. Temperatures of operation range from 150 degrees to 700 degrees Farenheit. The Eco-Fan does not use any batteries or external electrical connections.

The fan has a thermoelectric module which acts as a small generator to power the fan's motor. When this generator module experiences a heat differential between its top and bottom surfaces, it creates electricity. The bottom surface of the module is heated by the wood stove, while the top of the module is kept cool by the fan's top cooling fins. The speed of the fan varies with the stovetop temperature; on average.

Three Ways to Celebrate an ecosensitive Diwali this year

2007-11-04T11:57:00.000+05:30

The first step towards celebrating an ecosensitive Diwali is to become aware of the impacts the festival of Diwali has on Nature. Here are three such impacts:

1. Firecrackers and Air Pollution

Firecrackers are the fun of Diwali! These aesthetic forms of light seem so appropriate when celebrating the 'Festival of Lights'! But in our increasingly polluted cities, the temporary joy of watching the firecrackers is soon replaced by the intense air pollution caused by these. The toxic substances used in the firecrackers release toxic gases that are harmful to the health of all living beings. The high level of noise generated by the crackers also cause immense sufferring to birds and animals and are dreaded by the sick and the ailing.

Besides few of us realise that the firecrackers are made by very young children using child labour. Since the substances being handled are extremely toxic many of these children get sick and die in their early teenage years.

Let there be an explosion of joy without crackers!

Say No to Fire crackers and ‘Yes’ to life!

2. Consumerism

An indirect but equally significant impact of Diwali on nature is due to the increased consumption. Since Diwali is also a celebration of abundance and wealth - many people believe that it is a good time to buy. Often, people go out and buy new items even when they dont need them. Advertisements and hoardings scream out to people offerings sales extravaganzas, bargains, discounts encouraging us to buy and buy more!

How does this increased consumption affect Nature?

All man made items are made out of materials that come from Nature. Be it plastic, metal, paper or cloth – the raw materials for all of these come directly from nature. Those sources that are non renewable ( cannot be grown back) such as fossil fuels and metal ores get depleted and will one day run out. Depletion of non renewable natural resources is one of the most significant impact of consumerism. The gold earrings that you will buy from Diwali is coming from a gold mine that is not only depleting the gold resources of the earth, but in the process of mining is probably ruining several ecosystems.

Where do all the things we throw away go finally? Solid waste created by human beings which is non biodegradable ( does not easily decompose ) has to be filled into holes dug up in the ground. These ‘landfills’ as they are called may exist for centuries without completely getting integrated into the soil. The plastic toys that you are throwing away today, may exist in a landfill several generations after yours!

This is why to be able to conserve our natural environment it is important to

Reduce : the amount of things we use
Reuse : the things we have in different forms until we have absolutely no use for them
Recycle : items that are no longer functional.

In addition we could add two more principles

Rethink : the choices we make when deciding to buy something and
Refuse : things that we do not need at all.

Before you buy something new this Diwali apply the above five principles and only then pay at the counter!

3. Energy Consumption

The festival of lights puts a considerably heavy load on electrical energy sources that are already overloaded. The use of electric lights to adorn homes, business establishments, monuments and roads requires a huge amount of electricity.

The older tradition of burning oil lamps is a possible alternative to electric lights – even though it does use oil, the duration of the lamps is shorter.

Festival of Diwali & Links with Nature

2007-11-03T11:54:00.000+05:30

Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. It symbolises the victory of good over evil, and new beginnings. Diwali is celebrated over a period of five days namely - Dhanteras, Narakachaturdashi, Diwali, Padhwa and Bhai Dhooj.

Links with Nature

Did you know that Diwali actually falls on the darkest night of the year? The new moon night of the month of Ashwin ( of the Hindu calender) which may arrive either in October or November ( of the Gregorian calender) is considered to be the darkest night of the year by the Hindus. The tradition of lighting lamps on this night may have come from the need for light on this intensely dark night.

Diwali also celebrates the abundance of the autumn harvest. The autumn harvest (kharif) of rice for example, accounts for 53 percent of total production. It is sown between March and August and harvested between June and December. Seventy per cent of India's population lives in villages, and a vast majority solely depends on agriculture. As a result most of the festivals are related to the agricultural activities of the people. Farmers get ready to thank god, earth and their cattle for the wonderful harvest and celebrate the occasion with joyous festivities and rituals.

In Nepal, the first two days of Diwali are celebrated by worshipping animals. On the first day, cows are given offerings, in appreciation of the food they have given and agricultural work they have performed. On the second day, dogs and all living animals are revered and offered special food.

Eco sensitive Initiatives around Diwali

2007-11-03T11:51:00.000+05:30

With the growing recognition of the impacts of Diwali on the environment, several groups have started to reinterpret the rituals and traditions to become more sensitive to nature, like - The children of NCL school, Pune celebrate a different Diwali, sharing clothes with the lesser privileged.

Harmful effects of chemicals used in crackers

2007-11-02T11:48:00.000+05:30

The below give list is of the chemicals used in Fire Crackers and its effects on the human body:-

Copper	Irritation of respiratory tract
Cadmium	Anaemia and damage to kidney
Lead	Affects the nervous system
Magnesium	Dust and fumes cause mental fume fever
Sodium	Reacts violently with moisture and can attack skin
Zinc	Leads to vomiting
Nitrate	Could lead to mental impairment
Nitrite	Could lead to coma

Noise Pollution due to Fire Crackers

Crackers that make a noise of more than decibels upto a distance of metres are banned by the law.
Such noise pollution leads to:-

Hearing loss
High blood pressure
Heart attack
Sleeping disturbances
Sudden exposure to loud noise could also cause temporary deafness or permanent relative deafness

Eco Tourism

2007-11-02T11:34:00.000+05:30

ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTISES AT RIVERTRAIL ECO CAMP, KOLAD

Sustainable Architecture

Accommodation consists of rustic eco cottages, safari cottages and huts made of natural materials that are designed to be small, low impact and which blend with the local environment.
Cement - The cement usage in the construction of Rivertrail Eco-Camp is minimal and baked mud bricks, stone, natural mortar, cultivated wood and bamboo have been used instead. 90% of materials used are renewable natural materials.
Furniture in the cottages are made of cane & cultivated bamboo and minimum wood, plastic and metal have been used. Bamboo saplings have been planted to replace the bamboo used during construction.
Natural Terrain Maintained - The natural terrain and topography of the Eco-Camp has been maintained and landscaping is minimal. Only native plants have been planted.
Solvent Paints - Red Oxide natural paints and natural plaster of Paris were used for interiors and exterior walls instead of solvent paints.
Televisions - Not used except for showcasing wildlife films

Energy Conservation & Management

Rivertrail has been designed and constructed keeping in mind maximum energy conservation.

Large Windows – Large windows not only let the cool breeze and nature in; they also allow ample natural light.
Natural Material Construction – Rivertrail is made of Mud, Stone, Grass, Bamboo and Social Forestry Wood that are breathable and have high thermal mass allowing the cottages to be warm in winter and cool in summer.
Minimum Lighting - Minimum lighting is being used with each unit having separate power connection.
Dimmers provided - Dimmers has been provided all over the camp to enable reduction in ambient light as per requirement.
Manual Control - the room lights and the air-conditioning are started only when the guest’s actually retires to their room from central control.
No Air-conditioning - No air-conditioning is used to save power and eliminate pollution caused by it. Fans are provided for cooling when the breeze dims.
Traditional Cooling - In summer wet mats made of Vetiver (Khus) grass is hung on the windows to considerable reduce the heat and at the same time a gentle pleasant scent of the khus creates a soothing environment.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) / Fluorescent Tubes which provide as much as light as ordinary bulbs but consume substantially less energy are used as primary means of lighting.
Diesel Generator – In case of load shedding, a small, efficient diesel generator is started only when the guests retire and during meal times.
Bio Gas - EcoMantra uses a sustainable approach to waste, sewage, recycling and water management with on-site managed waste disposal using Bio Gas plant to convert the human and animal waste into energy to heat water.
Own Electricity - The Camp has plans to generate its own electricity using scheffler solar for kitchen, convectional heaters for hot water and wind power for lighting.

Water Conservation

Water Management: The campsite takes its water from river Kundalika and it is filtered twice before it reaches your tap.
Soap water from Bathrooms –are used for plantation like banana etc. that are not affected by the alkali content of the waste feed.

Waste Management

The campsite has its own solid waste and sewage treatment systems for collection, recycling and disposal of the waste.
Bio- Gas - A policy of ‘zero garbage’ according to which all organic waste and night soil is utilized for the process of Gobar Gas Plant and transformed into bio gas, which is then used to heat water. Waste out of gobar gas is used to make fertilizer feed.
Organic Waste - The kitchen waste is used in ‘Vermiculture’ or Rapid Organic Compound.
Non Organic Waste: All non-organic waste is sold to scrap merchants.
Zero Disposable Items - No disposable items such as plastic cutlery, tissue paper or paper plates are used in any our Eco-Camps.
Recycle- The Eco-Camp uses 50% - 100% PC (post consumer) paper for all paper work.
Non-decomposable but combustible waste - Items like packing materials consisting of cardboard boxes and paper bags are bought back from the campsites.
Non-decomposable and non-combustible waste - Wastes like plastic bags, aluminum foils, glass bottles are as far as possible avoided or are carried back to the city where they are either recycled, destroyed or buried in garbage dumps.

Ecotourism and Community Tourism

Local Employment - EcoMantra hires only local people from the immediate community for its full time staff, even in management positions. Local guides - Locals are employed on full time and/or part time basis to inform guests of local customs, local flora and fauna, local architecture and cross-cultural issues.
Local Cuisine – Our village cooks cook local cuisine and minimum 2 local dishes are served at all meals. We purchase food locally for our operations as much as possible.
Volunteer and Reforestation Program - Volunteer reforestation program utilizing guests to plant native trees are practised.
The Clean Act: The Clean Act activity conducted while trekking cleans up the nature trail
Sponsoring Ecotourism for Underprivileged: We organize environmental education excursions for underprivileged children and senior citizens

Sustainable Operations

Minimum Impact - We ensure that there is zero or minimum negative impact on the local environment / communities in which we operate
Smaller Groups - There is a limit on the maximum number of clients that is compatible with the environmental sensitivity of the area visited.
Nature Awareness and Education - EcoMantra places great emphasis on educating guests, staff and locals on natural issues of India and the world.
Guest Participation Program - This allows the guest to voluntarily participate in the environment conservation programs. We reciprocate by giving free/ discounted camps in future. Photography and Wildlife interaction - We encourage wild life photography and viewing as long as it does not disturb the flora and fauna. However, personal interaction with the wild life is discouraged.
Potted Plants- The campsite does not use fresh cut flowers anywhere in the Eco-Camp and decorative potted plants have been used wherever required.
Stationary - All stationary used at the Eco-Camp is made from recycled products.
Zero Pesticide - Neither pesticides nor herbicides are used on the campsite.

Ecotourism Training

Environmental training - All Ecomantra Eco-Camp managers and staff undergo ‘Environment training’ to understand different eco-friendly operations of the Eco-Camp and how to protect the environment.
The Eco-Camp managers and staff are encouraged to give their ideas to improve the eco-friendly initiatives of the Ecomantra Camps.
Environment Workshops - Eco-Camp managers and staff undergo regular classes and workshops to update their knowledge about the environmental practices of the Eco-Camp.

Find out more at
http://www.ecomantra.org

Eco Responsive Committee Meeting - 26th Oct 2007

2007-10-26T10:08:00.000+05:30

Attendees

Prakash
Chandrakant
Harsh
Devatanu
Priyank
Ambar
Nilesh

Discussion

Clients are interested in screening the DVD in large numbers, hence it is not feasible to screen it in JV or LP
Live Earth Videos (from Youtube) have been given by Prakash to Dev (a. Super Power Bloke, b. Earth 2.0, c. The Reef)
Some Ideas - can include it part of each division induction programme (future points pending)
Mango Tree___Seema to follow up
Eco Merchandise newslette - Completed and emailed
You are guilty_ By next meeting (Yellow/Payal)
Bus tickets will be sent for recycling. (Ambar)
Decision has been taken to sponsor one child. Further plans to be discussed once Seema is back.
Karmyog site (Payal/Priyank)
Cash from sale of shredded paper (Manjit will get back by 15th oct) - No follow up yet - (Manjit/Harsh)
Merchandising Website for our own initiative (Dev/Payal)
Seema will follow up on the merchandise sold by Indian artisans
Homepage for merchandise site (Seema/Dev/Payal)
7 th jan 08 site should be up and running
www.thewallartstore.com benchmark for merchandise. Can call it the ecostore.com. (Prakash will block it up for us if available). ecoshop, ecopoint, ecocentre came up with a list of names and check their availability. greenshopper.com
Design homepage to show organization interested, identify organizations and shops - for online eco store
list down the budget for the website (Dev. Approval Seema)
Eco Responsive legal and registration issues ( Seema/Harsh to coordinate with suresh)
Ideas for involving kids in this cause
Once the NGO is registered we can issue ID cards for the ecomember
We need to involve more people from within the organisation. We can start by asking all members of Aliagroup for content and suggestions for the monthly newsletters.
CK / Harsh suggest that we need to go out of the organisation and that internal activities have been saturated.
Ambar suggests that communicating the points to non-committee members in the right manner is critical in getting their participation
Movie category needs to be added to the blog
"The World is Mine" image needs to be added to the blog
Emails need to be sent to all employees to ask for suggestions on improving the blog. These suggestions will be taken forward for planning the website
Next meeting 16th Nov - LP

Eco Speak - Living with as little consumption as possible

2007-10-22T11:26:00.000+05:30

From Parinita Purohit.

I remember being introduced to the concept of ‘Being Eco-friendly’ as a kid. One of the first things I did to contribute was to collect all the milk packets from my own home, and go from door to door in my colony to collect everyone’s milk packets (about sixty doors). Pleased with my collection I would then beg my father to take me to the recycling plant. Though I could not sustain this throughout the year for various reasons, I know I tried.

Today I am more sensitized to living with as little consumption as possible. I try and do everything I can to help, though I cannot live without plastic and without wasting, I try to use the least and waste even lesser - Be it using cloth bags for daily shopping, or CFL bulbs for light, minimal usage of water etc. If nothing else, it works for my conscience.

Switching off the lights is a good habit to have but one should understand that CFL bulbs and tube lights consume more electricity to start up, and hence should not be frequently turned off and then on, because that will use up more power

If we call ourselves educated, and literate, it is simply not excusable to turn a blind eye to the oncoming catastrophe that we are creating. It is understandable that we cannot drastically change our lifestyles, but a little bit of judicious use and planning, will only help.

We need to delve in to this with a sincere interest and openness to an attitude of minimalism. It is important to realize the implications of our lifestyles and choices. We need to be more conscientious to feel for where we live and for the future members of our species. We simply need to be a little more human than we have been so far.

Inexpensive, Creative and Eco-friendly Gift Ideas

2007-10-21T10:38:00.000+05:30

A recent survey has shown that people would rather receive a photo album of times shared than a store-bought gift. But that's just one idea for a meaningful gift. We have lots of others.

Gifts for Children:

The makings for hand puppets: Brown lunch bags, googly eyes, stray buttons, scissors, markers, etc.

Box of dress up clothes: Old dresses, high heel shoes, cowboy boots, collared shorts, and millions of other fun outfit ideas can all be found at thrift or second-hand stores have great selections.

Jewelry kit: All you need is string, beads, and metal clasps.

Upside-Down Day: Let kids set the day’s agenda (with parental supervision). Take off your watch, wear pajamas under your coat to the movies, eat dessert for breakfast, the list is endless when kid’s creativity is in control

Write and illustrate a story with the child as the main character.

Homemade Gifts:

Booklet of your favorite memories: Write or type up your favorite memories of/with someone and lay it out in a book or on a page.

Personalized cookbook: This is a great way to pass along some of your favorite dishes, especially during a time of year when family gatherings mean lots of good meals.

Set up a monthly lunch date or phone call: Perfect for elderly friends or relatives.

Monthly care basket: Works really well for those who spend most of the year in separate places. Over the holidays send them their first basket of muffins or banana bread for January, and then each month of the year send something new to go with the theme of that month.

Make your own cards and send them to relatives and good friends.

Make your own calendar using cut-out pictures, photos, and/or drawings.

Gift of art: For grandparents, a framed picture drawn by a grandchild is the perfect present.

Gifts of Time:

Special activities with a significant other--a candlelit dinner, massage, or outdoor activity.

A monthly lunch date with an elderly relative or friend.

Reconnect with someone: Call an estranged friend or write a letter to someone you haven’t seen in a few years.

Family Gifts:

A jigsaw puzzle for the whole family.

Set up a family tournament in your favorite card game / port whether it is Cricket, Uno, Scrabble, Dumb charades etc.

Tickets to a favorite cultural or sporting event
A family hike, game of capture the flag, tag, or hide-and-go-seek.

Gifts for the Environment:

Instead of new wrapping paper, reuse old paper—the Sunday comics section, old maps, decorated brown grocery bags, or a colorful piece of material.

Gift a plant.

Donations in the name of a Loved One:

Give a donation to a local cause such as a shelter for battered women, a local environment group, etc. Call local churches, orphanages, and charitable organizations for ideas.

Give a friend a membership to a non-profit organization You can do lots more with do it yourself gift ideas…go to our 6 eco gifting ideas post.

Happy Gifting
The Eco Responsive Team
ecoresponsive[at]aliagroup.com

Top Six Eco- Friendly Gifts

2007-10-20T13:06:00.000+05:30

Making your own gifts during the festive season is a great way to reduce your ecological footprint and have some fun while you’re at it. Homemade gifts are fun to make, use less resources and mean a lot to the people you give them to.

This post contains 6 of our favorite do-it-yourself gifts. Some are very easy, while others are a bit more challenging. Share these ideas with your friends, have a craft-making party, and most of all...

Have some good, green fun!

1 . Re-Usable Nature Calendar

Ever wanted to make your very own calendar? It’s easy, and it makes a great gift for kids and grown ups.

You Will Need

The blank calendar grid
12 sheets of paper, preferably recycled or one-sided
Pencil crayons, felt markers or gel pens
Glue
Scissors
Magazines with lots of nature pictures, nature photos (ones you took yourself are best) or pictures you have drawn, or the kids have drawn
A photocopier
A hole punch
60 cm of thin ribbon or string

Optional
Sparkles, stickers or coloured paper

Directions

Make 12 photocopies of the blank calendar grid. This is your basic calendar.
Use a calendar that’s already been made to help you fill in the days of each month. Double check each month to make sure you have the right number of days, and that you started the month on the right day of the week.
Find 12 photos, magazine pictures, your own drawings or anything else that you would like on your calendar and decide which photo/picture/drawing you would like for each month. Cut them to the right size if necessary.
Glue the pictures on the calendar in the space that says ”Paste picture here”.
Decorate the Calendar with sparkles, stickers or additional drawings if you like.
Use the 2-hole punch to punch two holes at the top of the calendar. Try to center the paper under the hole punch.
Cut 2 pieces of coloured ribbon or string about 30 cm each. Tie one piece of ribbon through each of the holes and use the scissors to curl the ribbon.
Give it to someone special.

2 . Bead Necklaces

Did you know that you can actually make your own beaded necklaces & bracelets with shiny magazine pages and glue? They make great gifts and they’re a fun way to re -use glossy paper.

You Will Need:

A stack of shiny magazine pages (ones with pictures are the best)
White glue or Modge Podge(available at Hobby Shop, Mahalaxmi)
Toothpicks or match sticks
Scissors
A paint brush
String, fishing line, beading wire or thin elastic

Directions:

Cut the magazine pages from top to bottom, making long, thin triangles. The widest part of the triangle will become the length of your bead, so if you want big beads, cut wide triangles. If you want little beads, cut narrow triangles.
Wind each strip around a toothpick or matchstick, starting from the wide end of the triangle, finishing with the pointed end. Put a drop of glue on the pointed end of the strip to make sure it sticks to the rest of the bead.
Using a paint brush, coat the entire bead in white glue or Modge Podge.
Let dry completely.
Continue making beads until you have enough to make a necklace or bracelet.
Once all the beads have dried, string them onto the fishing line, beading wire, string or elastic. Make sure you make the necklace long enough for the person you’re giving it to.
Tie a knot on each end of the necklace to hold the beads on.

3 . Chocolate Truffles

Have you ever wanted to make your own chocolates? This recipe makes it easy and truffles are a great gift, especially if you put them in a fancy re-usable tin or box!

You Will Need:

3 packages semi-sweet chocolate chips (750 ml)
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz /420 ml can)
15 ml flavoring (vanilla extract, mint flavor, hazelnut flavor… banana… whatever you like
Coatings: (optional) Icing sugar
Cocoa powder
Sprinkles (chocolate, coloured, or both)
Finely chopped or ground nuts
Flaked coconut

Directions:

Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can put a bowl or small pot inside a larger one and put water in the bottom of the larger pot.
When the chips are melted, add a can of sweetened condensed milk and stir until everything is mixed together
Remove from heat and stir in flavoring.
Put the mix in the fridge until it becomes firm (about 2 hours).
Shape into 2.5 cm balls
Place balls on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper.
Roll the balls in your choice of coatings. Try a variety of coatings.
Chill for 1 hour or until firm.
Store covered at room temperature.

4 . Dough Ornaments

These make a great festive decorations or gifts for family and friends.

You Will Need:

1 Liter Flour
250 ml Salt
375 ml Hot Water
Cookie Cutters
Glitter, sparkles, glue, paint, beads etc.

Directions:

Mix together the dry ingredients
Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
Knead the mixture until it becomes firm dough.
Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about 1.5 to 2 cm thickness (just like making cookies).
Use the cookie cutters to cut out shapes. You can mould the dough into your own shapes too.
Place the decorations on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for about two minutes.
Remove from microwave and let cool
Decorate with paint, glitter, sparkles, whatever you like.
HAVE FUN! You can make ornaments, fridge magnets, etc.

5 . Paper Mache Bowl

Paper mache bowls are a good way to recycle newspaper. They make a great gift, and they’re fun and easy to make.

You Will Need:

One Newspaper
Water
About 30 ml Salt
About 30 ml Glue
A glass or ceramic bowl that you would like to use as a mould
Piece of used plastic wrap (big enough to line the inside of the bowl you will be using
Glitter, sparkles, glue, paint, beads etc.

Directions:

Rip newspaper into small pieces and place them in a large bowl.
Add warm or hot water until it just covers the mixture.
Soak the mix overnight.
Once it’s good and soggy, roll up your sleeves! Mix the pulp with your hands, squish it through your fingers and kneed it until it is the consistency of porridge. Mix until most of the lumps are gone. You may need to add a bit more water and let it soak a bit longer.
When the mixture is as smooth as you can make it, add about 30 ml of salt. This will help to keep mould from growing if you store the mixture in the fridge.
Mix it again with your hands. Once it’s well mixed, squeeze the pulp to get out any extra water.
Now add about 30 ml of glue and mix again.
Line the outside and rim o f your bowl with plastic wrap
Place the bowl upside down on the counter (make sure your parents don’t mind you making a mess on the counter.) You can put down a layer of used newspaper if you want, to make the clean up easier
Press the pulp onto the bowl, making sure to cover the bowl evenly with the pulp mixture.
Smooth the mixture with your hands and let dry for at least 12 hours.
Remove your new bowl from the form and make sure that the inside is dry. If not, you may need to leave it for a few more hours.
When it is completely dry, you can decorate the bowl with paint, sparkles or whatever you choose.

Tip: You can speed up the soaking process by letting your newspaper and hot water mixture sit for a few hours and then putting it in a blender or food. Remember to add the glue and salt once your mixture
is smooth!

6 . Light Bulb Tree Ornaments

This is a great way to re -use old light bulbs and make festive decorations.

You Will Need:

1 burned out light bulb / or a bulb you are replacing with a CFL
1 pipe cleaner (for the hanger) / or thin wire that can be bent
to make a hook
2 or 3 buttons or sequins
A long, thin scrap of fabric for the scarf
2 small twigs for the arms
A piece of candy corn for the nose
A scrap of fabric or felt for the hat
A pom pom
A scrap of quilt batting, felt, fleece etc for hat)
Acrylic craft paints in white, red, blue, black, green, yellow, brown etc
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
A pencil
Scissors

Directions:

Paint the light bulb white.
Decide how you want your snow man/woman to look. Use a pencil to sketch the features of your snow man/woman. When you’re happy with the design, begin painting .
For the hat, create a cone shape from a square of coloured felt or other fabric and, use a hot glue gun to stick the hat together. Make sure it will fit over the light bulb. You can decorate the hat with strips of different coloured fabric if you like,
Trim off the very bottom edge of the hat (the part that will go around your snow man’s forehead) and glue a strip of trim along this edge.
Bend the hat so that it hangs down to one side and glue it in place.
Glue a pom pom to the other end and your hat is done.
Twist a pipe cleaner around the bottom of the metal base, just above the face, and twist the two ends together in an oval shape to create a hanger. Push this hanger down and place the hat over the metal base and the pipe cleaner hook.
Use the glue gun to secure the hanger onto the metal base. Then secure the hat over the metal base as well. At this point, the hanger will be a loop that starts at the base of the hat (at the back of the head) and sticks down towards the ground).
Once the glue has set, bend the hanger upwards and you’re done!

Happy Gifting
The Eco Responsive Team
ecoresponsive[at]aliagroup.com

Eco-Shop Opening at Mumbai

2007-10-19T13:00:00.000+05:30

An Eco-friendly Centre is opening at the Sarvodaya Mandal Gandhi Book Centre, Nana Chowk, near Grant Road Station.

Noted human rights activist Medha Patkar, and Justice C.S Dharmadhikari will innagurate the Centre at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 24th.

Bombay Sarvodaya Friendship Centre and Association for India's Development are proud to announce the opening of the Eco Friendly Centre, a place for urban consumers to access rural products at fair prices.

Eco Friendly Centre offers for sale products made in villages using environmentally sustainable materials and production techniques and providing livelihood to rural artisans. These include organic rice and grains, handmade paper, soaps, savories from small-scale industries, jute
and bamboo household items, cards, gifts with progressive message, and alternative media.

The urban consumer benefits not only by buying the products but also learning about the solutions to many of today's social and environmental problems as they are practiced in the villages. Such as: popular resources for eco-friendly living such as runaway best-seller "SAY NO TO PLASTIC" bags made from khadi and jute and the celebrated PEDAL POWER GENERATOR or "bijli bike" allowing any individual, anytime, anywhere, to light a bulb on demand and off the grid.

Other shops in Mumbai that stock eco – friendly products are

Fab India
The Eco Shop – Atria Mall
Bombay Stores
Khadi gram Udyog

You can also pick up eco products from:

Paramparik Karigar exhibition
Hastakala Samiti exhibition

Sites for eco products

http://www.ecoindia.com/products/