Green protocol for Puducherry

Aimed at creating a healthy environment for campuses and communities, Puducherry has released a Green Protocol, which will serve as a guide for universities, colleges, schools, industries, tourism sector, hotels, hospitals and other organisations to carry forward the stated missions of the programme. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy released the protocol in the presence of Minister for Environment M. Kandasamy and Pondicherry University Vice-Chancellor Gurmeet Singh.

The Comprehensive Green Protocol (CGP), which has been formulated to become a touchstone of sustainable development for the Union Territory, condenses into a booklet the knowledge shared among a consortium of experts from various organisations such as the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee, Pondicherry University and the Association for Promoting Sustainability in Campuses and Communities.

The ‘Comprehensive Green Protocol’ is expected to guide all stakeholders to commit to environmental responsibility and sustainable development, thereby creating a healthy environment for the campuses and communities at large. The principles for the green protocol was adopted partially from the UN Conference on Environment and Development called the Rio Declaration (1992) and Sustainable Development Goals (2016-2030).

A brainstorming was held during the a 30-day state-level awareness programme on Sustainable Waste Management – 2017-18. The campaign was conducted across all four districts of the Union Territory so as to evolve a green protocol against the backdrop of the ever-increasing shortage of natural resources and unsustainable waste management practices in the Union Territory.