IIT-Dharwad chants green mantra

Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad (IIT-DH), has set itself a challenge, to build its new campus as an eco-friendly and green one.

They wish to achieve this by creating a built-environment to co-exist with flora and fauna and without compromising on the master plan.

IIT-DH, which started functioning in 2016 on the premises of the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI) near the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court on the outskirts of Dharwad, is planning to set up its new campus on about
537 acres of land, including about 67 acres of forest area which has a sizable number of trees and is frequented by langurs, rabbits and other animals.

Buildings such as academic zone, hostel, staff quarters, administrative block and play area will come up on 100-150 acres of land in three phases. Phase One is expected to be completed in the next three years. Once fully completed, the Dharwad IIT is expected to provide advanced technological education to 5,000 to 7,500 students. Currently, it has 240 students.

The institute carried out an ecological management study of the flora and fauna on the new campus. Efforts would be made to make sure that our buildings do not have any impact on the existence of animals and trees, said
IIT-DH director P Seshu. “We will construct an eco-friendly campus that will have minimum impact on the surroundings and follow all rules of the land,” he said and added that it is an engineering challenge and a good one to take up.

The officials are planning to achieve four-star (LD) (out of five) in Green Rating for Integrated Habitat (Griha), a certificate given by the union ministry concerned for use of cost-effective and least energy-intensive methods.

“We have the required technology to achieve the near-net zero waste status. Reuse of water is also part of our plan,” he said and added that the campus would employ technologies for alternative sources of energy like solar, wind, hybrid and installation of LED bulbs.

The institute is planning to rejuvenate five ponds, three of which are semi-active and two seasonal. “We are planning to create a stream system that will replenish these water bodies.” the director said.

IIT-DH has transformed even its temporary campus and built roads without sacrificing tree locations.

Dharwad Deputy Commissioner S B Bommanahalli confirmed that the district administration had received a proposal from IIT-DH regarding its effort to construct a green campus and every possible assistance would be given to it.