Rotary Club of Dabolim Goa

We took part in The Goa River Marathon to create environment awareness.

Rotary club, environment

The Rotary Club of Dabolim organised a talk on E-Waste management and its relevance to Goa. The talk was delivered by Mr. Ashley Delaney who has been involved involved in the Goa schools computers project where used computers from corporations abroad were shipped to India to be reused in schools in Goa. The ewaste initiative he has taken is the first of its kind in the state of goa.

Rotary community, environment, Guest Speaker

We participated in the “RESPONSIBLE COLLECTION OF NIRMALAYA” at the pandals at Baina Beach, Vaddem lake and Khariwado on the 2nd and 5th day of Ganesh Chaturthi, helped respectfully take nirmalaya and separate it at the SITE, segregated and donated coconuts and other food items to the lesser privileged, the flowers and garlands for composting and collected all non-biodegradable to proper recycling stations.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival celebrated with passion in Goa. As the festivities
catch on, so does the wish to participate in it better…better gifts, better décor,
better lighting, better gifting, better crackers, better idols…

Much of the ways in which our celebrations occur, we must appreciate how much
a ‘handover’ effect it has on our surroundings. Nature, the Earth sculpted into the
figure of God and worshipped, is adversely affected in these days. At the time of
immersion, along with the faith and purity of our devotion, we also give to the
earth POP and chemical painted Idols, thermacole and plastic adornments of the
Mandal and Nirmalaya that chokes and slowly spreads harmful chemicals into
the waters, be it of the sea, rivers, lakes or your own backyard wells. When Wet
or dirty, the non-biodegradable waste (such as plastic) cannot be recycled and
lands up into a landfill.

Fortunately, our state, Goa is a pro-environment state with people who are
deeply connected to their roots. In the past years the Government of Goa has
banned sale of POP Idols, encouraged local artisans through special workshops
and last year stationed bins for collection of nirmalaya at immersion sites.

This project is an attempt to review the attempts of the past and to see how
we can further refine these efforts for the health of the people and the planet…

One of the main things that must be taken into account here is also the religious
sentiments of the people that have reservations to put their sacred nirmalaya
into a bin, however well intended.

It is observed at the time of segregation, the contents that are generally found in
the nirmalaya are food items such as coconuts and fruits, flowers and garlands
mixed with plastic and thermacole.

In an effort to continue to make the process of refining the ways in garbage is
collected and recycled thus making the process more and more eco-friendly,
while keeping in mind the sentimentalities of the people, the following proposal
is put forward.

The Nirmalaya Recycling Project is divided into 3 parts.

PART ONE: AWARENESS AND EDUCATION:

1. Creating awareness about the ecological aspect of the festival, laying stress on
the significance of it in relation to the earth.

2. To propagate the adverse results of our past nirmalaya visarjan practices

3. To inform and educate as many people through media and word of mouth
about the RESPONSIBLE NIRMALAYA COLLECTION PROJECT PRIOR to the
visarjan days.

4. To join hands with as many like-minded volunteers, who would spread the
word trough Posters, local TV, Newspapers, Private publications etc, Schools,
Sarvajanik Mandals, Temples etc.

PART TWO: COLLECTION, SEGRAGATION AND RECYCLING OF NIRMALAYA

1. Identify an area for collection. Erect a pandal keeping in mind its accessibility
and visibility on the day of visarjan.

2. To station at least 3 workers and volunteers who would stand there and
respectfully take nirmalaya and separate it at the SITE.

3. To segregate and donate coconuts and other food items to the lesser
privileged, the flowers and garlands for composting and collect all non-
biodegradable to proper recycling stations.

PART THREE:

1. Water testing before and after the visarjan. This would be essential in
building a base of information and education for all future nirmalaya
recycling and creating a base of using NON-TOXIC water colors for Ganesh
Idols.

2. Experience sharing of all volunteers/workers, public reactions and
recommendations for the future.

THE SPIRIT OF THE CAMPAIGN:

The individuals and organizations involved in this campaign

1. Respect the religious sentiments of the people during this festival

2. Understand that change in the mindsets of the public will take its
time and that force or criticism is not the way to create that change.

3. Approach this campaign with an attitude of Respect, Perseverance and
Enthusiasm.

4. Have offered their individual strengths be it voluntary work and funds
because of their personal need to see this change together.

This campaign is an inclusive, optimistic, transparent process that
invites participation from all Organizations, individuals, schools,
colleges, clubs, children, adults, teachers, ganesh mandals etc. to help
spread the word.

The project was done with the help of Roopa Bandekar (Earthworm), Lalita Joshi (MES College), Kevin (MES College), Daji Salkar, Shammi Salkar, Namdeo Chopdekar (Patanjali Yoga), Anju Gulati (Navy), Vasco Watch, MMC, Roshan Gunjal ( Inner Wheel Club), Dinesh (Visnsan Graphics)

Rotary community, environment, projects

We distributed about 450 plant saplings to residents of Velsao Panchayat area and nearby. Occassion graced by Sarpanch of Velsao, Ex Sarpanch of Velsao Laurance and Father of Velsao Church.

Rotary community, environment, projects

The Rotary Club of Dabolim, in association with Young Indians (Yi) Goa Chapter, organised a free distribution of plant & tree saplings at the Chicalim Panchayat on Sunday, 18th July ’10. Nearly 500 saplings were distributed to the people of Chicalim and surrounding areas. The saplings included trees like Gulmohar, Cassia Fistula, Neem, Ashoka as well as fruit bearing trees like Mango, Guava, Jamun, Almond, Kokum and Custard Apple. Even decorative plants like Ixora, Golden Duranda and Hibiscus were among the saplings distributed.

The programme also included a Green Exhibition cum Sale of eco-friendly products. Green Essentials, Panaji and Earthworm Ecostore, Porvorim exhibited various products ranging from natural insect repellents and floor cleaners to products like jams, honey and organic plant seeds. Also on display was a vermi-composting unit designed and manufactured by Zarhak Moulders, Verna. The Goa Energy Development Association (GEDA) had showcased the different uses of solar energy and the benefits of the same.

The programme received an over-whelming response from the public and the Club plans to repeat a similar event in the future. The programme was efficiently co-ordinated by Club Secretary, Rtn Amit Tapadia and Rtn Jennifer Lewis e Kamat under the able guidance of Club President, Rtn Avez Mohidin and along with other club members.

Rotary community, environment, projects

Mormugao Municipality along with Rotary Club of Dabolim are taking the initiative forward to promote an Eco friendly holi. We helped organize a demonstration to make eco friendly holi colours from material available at home.

Mormugao Municipality along with Rotary Club of Dabolim are taking the initiative forward to promote an Eco friendly holi. Natural colours are now available at Vasco. In a letter to the MMC chairperson, Mr Shekhar Khadapkar, a member of the Patanjali Yog Samithi (PYS), Mr Sharad Chopdekar, who is also a councillor and former MMC chairperson and Mr Amit Bandekar, secretary of Rotary Club of Dabolim, have requested to provide assistance to promote healthy and environmentally safe Holi festival. The PYS has decided to have a demonstration of eco-friendly colours, which is made up of leaves and flowers ahead of the Holi celebration in Vasco. The PYS will also demonstrate colours made from chana dal, toor dal and various other household commodities.

The festival of colours that marks the celebration of the spring season is just round the corner. On March 1 everyone will onto the streets to have some fun with colours.

Are we really aware that we are actually playing with some carcinogenic substances? According to experts some of these colours which are easily available in the market contain carcinogens like mercury sulphite, aluminium bromide, etc that are known to cause renal failure, eye allergies, puffiness, temporary blindness, dermatitis and even skin cancer. The ‘gulals’ or dry colours contain a toxic colorant and a base of asbestos or silica. The heavy metals in these can cause asthma, skin diseases and adversely affect the eyes. However now there is no need to panic as the solution is just one store away. The eco-store, Earthworm at Porvorim is now busy packing some eco-friendly colours that will broaden your happiness while playing with colours. They have now tied up with eCoexist; a Pune based social enterprise which promotes eco-sensitive products through socially sensitive means. “We are promoting Rang Dulaar—a range of natural Holi colours that are completely free of chemical content. Prepared by the Vanastree, a collective of women from the Malnad region and packaged by the prisoners of Yeroda jail in Maharashtra these colours generate income to less privileged groups of people” states Nirmal Kulkarni of Earthworm. Another interesting part is that these jail inmates make the colours from the dry and flowers that are thrown out after being offered to God. These colours are also obtained from food products like turmeric, cocum, lemon juice, spinach, hibiscus, tulsi (basil), henna, indigo, harda (terminalia chebula), glyricidea, nirgudi and other local leaves, with rice flour being used as a filler. Rang Dulaar colours are available in five dry colours—red, yellow, orange, blue and green and are priced between Rs 20 to Rs 100.

“There are simple ways to make these colours at home too. These can be made by mixing turmeric and besan (yellow), boiled marigold or palash flowers (yellow), soaked pomegranate peels (liquid yellow colour), sliced beetroot soaked in water ( deep pink), dried and powdered henna leaves ( orange-red paste) mixed with water, etc” states their campaign.

Rotary community, environment, projects

American novelist, Chuck Palanhiuk said, "When did the future switch from being
a promise to being a threat?"

Simple words with a lot to think about. 

One of the major threats that we face today is that of global warming. It is
not entirely possible to reverse the damage that has already been done but we
can do our best to preserve what we have. It is our responsibility to provide a
cleaner and greener world for the generations to come. 

The Rotary Club of Dabolim Goa, as a part of its "heal the earth - together"
programme is promoting and celebrating a non-toxic and eco-friendly holi. For
this, we are using Rang Dulaar Natural Holi Colours, which are made on a base
of turmeric and contain no chemical content. Additionally, these colours,
include an element of recycled flowers collected from the nirmalya which is
produced during Ganesh Chaturthi. 

Colours that are commercially available are usually industrial dyes that are
not meant for human use. These contain toxic heavy metals that can cause
serious health problems. 

Rang Dulaar colours are completely non-toxic, totally non polluting and wash
off easily. They are available in five colours, red, yellow, orange, green and
black. They are soft to touch and carry an aroma of turmeric. 

Rang Dulaar is a product of e-Coexist, a social enterprise that promotes
natural and recycled products. The Rotary Club of Dabolim Goa is supporting
their efforts and aims at making these colours a household name. 

The colours are being made available to you at the original cost itself. We do
not have any mark-up on the price of the product. 

We urge you to join in our efforts to save the planet and enjoy a safe holi!

Rotary community, environment

350 is the most important number in the world -it’s what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

On 24th October 2009, people all over the world will take a stand for a safe climate future. In over 2300 actions covering almost every country in the world, there will be big rallies in big cities, and incredible creative actions across the globe: mountain climbers on our highest peaks with banners, underwater demonstrations in island nations  threatened by sea level rise, churches and mosques and synagogues and ashrams engaged in symbolic action, star athletes organizing mass bike rides–and hundreds upon hundreds of community events to raise awareness of the need for urgent action. These events will be photographed with the number 350 in the background and be part of a gigantic visual petition at the UN Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen in December 2009.

Rotary community, environment, projects

We organised a “Free Tree & Plant Saplings Distribution Camp” in association with the Village Panchayat of Chicalim.

Saplings of plants like jackfruit, tamarind, kokum, guava, rain tree, peltophorum, bayo, bougainvillea, custard apple, neem, jamun, etc. were distributed free of cost. In addition to these, there were a variety of garden plants available for distribution.

The Club also simultaneously organized a “Green Products Exhibition”. This included a display of various eco-friendly products and other organic products like manures, seeds, EM, insect repellents, etc. by Green Goa Works (Mapusa), Earthworm (Porvorim) and Green Essentials (Panjim).

The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) also exhibited appliances such as solar cookers, solar pumps, solar TVs. These appliances can be operated by using renewable energy resources such as Solar Thermal, Solar Photovoltaic, Wind Energy and Biomass Energy.

Rotary community, environment, projects

We celebrated World Earth Day in 2009 by distributing glass bottles marked ‘Battery Collection Bottles’ among our club members.  This was done by participating in GoaCan’s Battery Waste Collection Drive – The Consumer Household Battery Collection Drive is a micro example of how Segregation At Source (SAS) can help Protect the Environment.

When batteries are disposed in garbage, heavy metals like cadmium, cobalt, copper, zinc, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and lithium leach from the batteries that are deposited in landfills. This contaminates soil and water. All of these elements are potentially harmful to humans and the environment. For example, cadmium can cause lung damage, kidney disease, and death, and lead can damage the kidneys, nervous system, and reproductive system. Lead poisoning is also commonly diagnosed in cattle, and the death rate can be close to 20 percent. One of the more popular rechargeable batteries, nickel-cadmium, is also one of the most environmentally harmful. Besides the presence of cadmium, NiCd batteries, as well as nickel-metal hydride batteries, contain cobalt, which can cause asthma and pneumonia and is considered a possible human carcinogen. Even lithium, another element used in some rechargeable batteries and considered a more environmentally benign substance, can produce acid rain when present in salt form and is a suspected kidney and liver toxicant.

Also Read: Rechargeable batteries can be big danger

Update (Feb 2010): The 2009-10 District Governor Rtn. Gurudatta D. Bhakta has appreciated this project during his official visit to our club.

Rotary community, environment, projects

Clinton Vaz talked on “Ideas for Environmentalism & Wildlife Activism in Goa“.

Vaz, aged 27 is a self employed environmental consultant based in Goa. In 2005, he was appointed as a consultant in waste management for the Corporation of the City of Panaji where he offers his services till date. In his free time, he conducts waste management workshops or manages his two e-groups based on Goa’s wildlife and environment.

Vaz talked of the separating and treating different types of waste differently, and eco-friendly options to treat wet waste in your own backyard or community.

Rotary community, environment, Guest Speaker

American novelist, Chuck Palanhiuk said, “When did the future switch from being a promise to being a threat?”

Rotary environment, projects