Three students from K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce build the city’s first Biodiversity Garden developed by students at Somaiya Vidyavihar campus
Date
29th February 2020
Area of Interset
Environment
Institution(s)
K J Somaiya Junior College of Science and Commerce
Three students from K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce build the city’s first Biodiversity Garden developed by students at Somaiya Vidyavihar campus
Mumbai 29th Feb 2020: In an initiative to develop urban green ecosystem that portrays co-existence of flora and fauna, three students of K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce Revathi Swamy, Revati Vispute, Shruti Joshi worked meticulously with Project coordinator Dr. Sugandha Shetye and mentor Dr. V.Shubhalaxmi, Founder and Managing Trustee, INaturewatch Foundation Mumbai, to create a sustainable and replicable business model "THE BIODIVERSITY GARDEN". The US consulate funded the initiative as part of its Mentorship Program for youth leaders in Environment Conservation.
The Biodiversity garden has a small artificial pond, birdbath & bird homes to attract birds, mud pudding sites and fruit baskets, host and nectar plants to attract butterflies.
Workshops for Naturalist Training program, basics of butterfly and birding, kitchen gardening, macrophotography and syllabus based nature trails will be conducted in the garden.
A very informative Nature Trail guide will be made available for students which will include skills of birding, identification of birds, butterflies and trees and will consist of a few activities to engage participants actively during a nature trail.
Dr. Sugandha Shetye, HOD Department of Environmental Sciences at K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce said, "In an urbanized city like Mumbai, Biodiversity garden is significant not only because it can add an aesthetic value and also help in conservation of local biodiversity, but because there is a dire need for green spaces in the city and face the absence of nature engagement among the general public.”
Revathi Swamy and Revati Vispute said, “We are fortunate to be a part of this project. Getting an opportunity to develop a Biodiversity garden as a business model, we realized that we are not only conserving the environment but also learning the skills to be an eco-entrepreneur while providing a platform for various proficient people, employment and services that will help others to be more eco-conscious." They added, “Biodiversity being a topic close to our heart we learned through several mistakes and had fun in our entire journey from painting walls to selecting plants and creating artefacts in our garden. We have created the garden with compassion, care and with a lot of attention given to plants and all the small living creatures. With all the creative part, we have tried to share knowledge through it."