Events

The environmental conditions are dwindling every day. Many new activities are being lined up for progress and development which is directly or in directly affecting the green cover. With the lessening of number of trees, climate change and global warming will become more prominent causing the rise of numerous other diseases thus creating unrest among the population. The current tree count for the World is 3.04 trillion, sounds massive but is actually 46% less than what existed before the agricultural phase and human activities began. This huge difference can be felt today in the form of rising diseases, unstable climatic conditions, extreme environmental catastrophes and much more.

The solution as we see it is not only planting new trees but is also caring for the ones existing currently. For doing so it is very necessary to instill the value of green cover among the future generations so that caring for the green cover becomes a Muscle memory. In view of the above, Green Health Foundation initiated a movement across colleges and schools of Mumbai for instilling the true value of green among students, under its tree plantation initiative Forest-A-Nation. The program, Edugreen Instil Program, will focus on bringing environmental issues close to the students so that the necessary actions can be taken by them, not as a pressured move but as a Fun activity.

The EduGreen Instil Program focuses on discussion of 8 themes with students in the form of presentations where the global scenario and other environmental activities, including some researches carried out, is explained to the students in simpler formats. Along with this, GHF also carries out interactive sessions for 30 minutes per month in the institute premises where students will be given a better understanding on the environmental issues. The program also has a REAL TIME activity of growing plants form seeds level where GHF will provide the required material along with the instructions for growing the plants.

The phase 1 of the program rules out successfully where Green Health Foundation interacted with 16 institute across Mumbai. Some of them were Institute of Science, Ruia College, Jai Hind College, Kanakia Schools and more. Its reached out to more than 5000 students and also created 1000 Plants which are currently nurtured by our expert team where they are preparing these plants for plantation in the coming monsoon. The phase was supported by KANAKIA Group. This program was covered on All India Radio, 25^th April 2017 (5.30 PM- 6.00PM) where RJ Amita

interviewed our Program’s Co-ordinator towards the details of the Program and also made an open approach to all listeners to connect with the movement.

In case of colleges, GHF conducts similar sessions with the colleges, but the Real Time plant growth activity is carried out in plastic bottles & pots with the seeds collected from juice vendors where the lost green potential is revived. The entire activity is monitored by GHF and required instructions and help is provided. GHF intends to run this program continuously through various campuses and generate more than 10,000 trees per year.

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Natwar Parekh Compound, Govandi was experiencing a bad environment with garbage being disposed all over the place and sewage pipelines being full and overflowing. Wastewater from sewage lines was observed to be oozing out from the sewage system and spreading over the area. Apart from this, garbage disposal by people wasn’t channeled properly and people were disposing off the garbage in the space between the buildings which had created a pile up of garbage of about 2 ft. This accumulated garbage was a continuous source of foul odor and a home for diseases. GHF took an initiative for cleaning the area up (building 1-12). People were hired by GHF for cleaning the sewage system by allowing free flow of water by unclogging the lines. A garbage picker was appointed and all the garbage disposed in a haywire fashion was collected and the place was cleaned up.

Awareness campaigns with respect to proper garbage disposal and importance of the cleanliness and sanitation was done by GHF. Due to these efforts from the organization, Natwar Parekh Compound has now appointed a regular garbage collector who maintains the surrounding clean. GHF has been continuously monitoring the area since then to maintain the look and cleanliness of the area and has also been involved in awareness programs to keep the interest of people towards cleanliness alive.

To deal with the water, sanitation and hygiene problem at Natwar Parekh Compound, MAHADA Colony, GHF has launched Project ‘Amrit’ there. To start up the activity as a part of our Stage I action plan, GHF organized an Awareness Campaign called “Jagriti.” on Maharashtra Day i.e. 1^st May 2014. The GHF team had invited doctors as a part of the Awareness Campaign.

GHF organized an Awareness Campaign and Interactive Session, with the residents of Natwar Parekh Compound. In the session, the families were made aware of the facts and myths of a hygienic environment. Why it’s necessary to maintain a good condition in the area, how they can move ahead in this. The kind of problem they are facing in their day to day life regarding water and sanitation etc. In the Interactive Session,

doctors were the guest speakers for the event. They gave lectures on the importance of the hygienic condition in and around the house and the society. Also, they said what the after effect could be of living in unhygienic conditions and how their family gets affected by this. People’s general doubts relating to hygiene, sanitation and illness were also cleared. Apart from this, a Drawing Competition was organized for the children of age group of 5-15 yrs. The subject of the drawing was “Sanitation and Surrounding.”

Two-day’s workshop was organized by Xavier School of Sustainability (XSoS) on Skills for Air Quality Management (SAQM) at Xavier University Bhubaneswar (XUB) on 12^th and 13^th July, 2016 to increase the awareness regarding measurement of fine particles and thus improving the scientific understanding of the particulate assessment. The workshop was supported by NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute), Green Health Foundation and United States-India Educational Foundation.

The workshop was attended by faculties of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), students of Xavier School of Sustainability, MITS School of Biotechnology, Utkal University and Utkal Institute of Engineering & Technology.

The topics covered in the workshop were Introduction to PM2.5 monitoring, Factor Analysis for Air Monitoring Data, Systemic approach for mitigating Air Pollution, Vehicular subsystem measures with some case studies and other air quality management techniques. Lastly Health Effects due to Air pollution were explained.

Along with the interactive and informative sessions of the workshop there was also a session where different air monitoring instruments were shown; their principle along with the procedure was explained too. The attendees, faculty members and students were given hands on experience on the instruments as well. The instruments which were used by Green Health Foundation and EPRI were Dust Track and Air Metrics for measuring Particulate Matter which is present in the air.

With such a positive result which was seen among the students with respect to operating air sampling equipments, Xavier’s University decided to carry out same session in the some of the schools in Bhubaneswar which is held in “KIIT International School” and “DAV Public School”.

To aware students about air pollution, its causes and simple precautions, a small session was carried out in the village school at Bhubaneswar.

Green Health Foundation in association with CSIR-NEERI, IITB, BARC, MoEF, CPCB, MPCB, Nair and KEM Hospitals and Other Health Departments from India, with International Agencies viz. Asian Congress of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (delegates from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia countries and other International reputed organization was conducted series of workshops on Environment and Health during 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2018. The Conferences attracted around 200 delegates from around the country.

The environment is a major determinant of health. A clean environment is essential for human health and well-being. However, the interactions between the environment and human health are highly complex and difficult to assess. Environmental degradation exerts significant pressure on human health, leading to various types of health link diseases and disorders. Although environmental risk factors can affect the health of the whole population, some groups are particularly vulnerable to environmental pollution, including children, pregnant women, the elderly and persons with pre-existing diseases. So, the whole process of health and environmental linkages becomes the spotlight of discussion. Activities in the name of development, aimed to elevate the quality of life, have resulted in the deterioration of the very resources needed for sustaining life.

Plenary lectures, platform presentations, papers and posters presentations was conducted with focuses on crucial issues pertaining to environmental quality and human health. This was widely attended by prominent environmental, bio-medical and public health scientists, dental and medical practitioners, policy makers and stake holders in their respective fields. Collaboration between different sectors is crucial to protect human health from the risks of a hazardous or contaminated environment.

The objective is to bring researchers, doctors, practitioners, environmentalists and engineers on a common platform to disseminate the knowledge and experience sharing of environment deterioration and related public health risks. The presence of national and international delegates helped in extending the knowledge base to a larger domain of environment and associated health risks and discussions among various interdisciplinary working professionals.

Over 30 high end research papers were presented in the conference along with student papers on topics like ‘Management of Chemotherapy induced Dysgeusia: An important step towards nutritional rehabilitation.’; ‘Hybrid cavitation wet air oxidation pretreatment of Complex Industrial Wastewater for Enhanced Biodegradability.’; ‘EGCG-A promising anticancer phyto-chemical’; ‘Impact of Indoor Air Quality on Health Symptoms in a Residential Area’ etc. The conference was also awarded 18 CDE points.

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board had given the task to NEERI for Noise Mapping of cities in Maharashtra as well as to carry out Air Quality Emission Inventory and Source Apportionment Studies for highly polluted cities. With collaboration with GHF this task was performed.

Central Pollution Control Board has listed cities in India in which the RSPM levels are non-complaint with the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programs and has directed State Pollution Control Boards to develop action plans and implement these to control air pollution in these cities. Seventeen such cities have been identified for the state of Maharashtra – Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Badlapur, Chandrapur, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Sangli, Solapur and Ulhasnagar. GHF was involved in carrying out secondary data collection for pollution inventories for 10 cities in Maharashtra, which included vehicular count, identification of hotspots, and quantifying of air pollution sources such as bakeries, crematories, open burning, building construction, road constructions, domestic and hotel fuel consumptions etc. which will helpful for preparing the emission inventory for those cities.

Noise Monitoring was performed on Cycles across 10 cities of Maharashtra to estimate the average noise persistent across the cities. Breaking the trend of observing noise at fixed points, GHF in association with NEERI carried out a noise monitoring which covered travel routes.

A one day Health Camp in Rasal village, Pali in Maharashtra was organized by GHF with a team of doctors on 15^th March 2015. The main objective of the camp was to provide free health check-up to the villagers so that health problems of the villagers could be detected and thus resolved. The doctors interacted with the patients about their past illness and the treatment which was implied for the same. The problem they were facing currently was diagnosed and treatment which they would require was prescribed. The attendees were also made aware of general healthy

habits in an interactive session. The doctors also shared a conversation with the children about their daily habits and healthy lifestyle benefits. A follow up will be made to the villagers who were advised for treatments & GHF will carry out a random survey to detect if the message conveyed at the camps on healthy lifestyle habits is followed.

Managing risks from extreme events will be a crucial component of climate change adaptations. Actively working with national governments to highlight the role of urban governance and policy to deliver cost-effective responses to climate change explore the city-scale risks of climate change. In line with the theme of UNEP i.e. Raise your Voice, Not the Sea level, GHF in association with Indian Environment Association (IEA) organized half a day workshop on World Environment Day, 5^th June 2014, in Worli Mumbai.

The event focused on some very relevant themes like Science and Economics of sea level changes, Renewable Energy and other Green Technologies: An overview, Carbon Footprint of Mumbai & other Indian Cities, Cluster Development of Bhendi Bazaar, Urban Design & Transportation Planning, Environmental Health.

Starting the event, Director NEERI, spoke about the relevance of the event with today’s day to day life and how

it will help and guide all of us, The event noted the presence of many eminent speakers like Dr. R.N. Singh Sr. Scientist, INSA Prof. Soli J. Arceivala, Member, Environment Health, UN/WHO, Mr. Quais Fatehi , Architect, Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopments Projects, Ms. Paromita Roy, Dy. Director , Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure, (Planning & Engineering) Centre (Uttipec), Dr. Sunali Khanna, Asst. Prof. (Dept. of Oral Medicine & Radiology), Nair Hospital Dental College. As these topics are new buzz words in the field of health and environments, the audiences were enriched by this event

World Environment Day celebrated on 5 June 2015 at Ambernath Nagar Parishad In association with SOCLEEN, Thane Municipal Commissioner, Green Health Foundation, WTERT and Oculus Foundation. Thane Municipal Commissioner also addressed the gathering. His talk dealt with many problems around the city such as taking care of the trees planted on environment day. He also focuses audience attention on particulate matter pollution and its effect on health of policemen, sanitation conditions for women, education and awareness among the school children wrt environment, climate change and plastic ban.

Mr. Salil Javeri from Oculus Foundation quoted that problems are not problems but are situations that need to be handled with care. He went on further to

discuss the importance of various technologies like Rain water harvesting, solar products etc. He also spoke about vehicular pollution, cleanliness and IAQ issues.

Prof Dr. A.D.Sawant, former Pro-Vice Chancellor , Mumbai University and President of SOCLEEN addressed the UNEP environment day theme ‘7 Billion Dreams, 1 Planet, Consume with care’. Further he also discussed eco friendly technologies and gave a presentation on the various ill-effects of lead and the need to address the problem immediately.

GHF organized a one day workshop on “Awareness & We”. The theme of the workshop was “Complexities Interlinking Health and Environment in Today’s Context”, in Mumbai on 21^st August The supporting partner of this event was NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Mumbai Zonal Lab).

Plenary lectures, platform presentations papers and posters presentations were focused on very relevant issues like Linking Environment & Health, Radiation & Environment, Green Building & its future, Climate Change & Impacts, Water Sanitation & Rain Water Harvesting, Lifestyle modifications to prevent cardiac diseases. Dr. Jairaj Phatak, IAS was the Guest of honour on the occasion. He enlightens the audience on Role of civic administration in public health. Convener Dr. Sunali Khanna spoke on the need of organizing the workshop.

The Event was attended by many distinguished speakers like Ms. Mala Singh, CMD, PEC solutions, Dr. Bhavin Jankharia, Consultant Radiologist, SRL Diagnostics, Dr. Sunil Morekar, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Dr. R. V. Sharma, Former Dy. Director Gen of Meteorology IMD, Mr. Shashidhar Kashyap, Consultant, Dr. Narender Bansal, HOD Dept. of Cardiology, Sir J.J. Hospital. The audience thoroughly enjoyed and get more aware by the event. The event ends with a heartfelt vote of thanks to the entire audience and distinguished delegated and speakers

A national seminar on “Sustainable Solutions to Water, Wastewater and Solid Waste” was organized by A N College, Patna on 8^th & 9^th May 2015. Discussions over water sources, contamination, treatment processes, distribution and availability and solid waste scenario in Patna etc. were made at the conference. Green Health Foundation presented a talk on “Health Assessment & Water Quality Assessment for a Poor Community” as we believe that these are the sections of society that are more exposed to the problems. The seminar discussions over finding sustainable solutions included on how Patna can reach a sustainable limit where problems of fresh water contamination and solid waste for the city can be managed efficiently. With respect to the discussion, GHF believes that in order to create a holistic good image of an area it is necessary to regulate the poor communities too as their no up gradation and unhurried betterment will cause serious gaps in the balanced, sustainable image that was envisioned. Hence GHF acted as an associate to the seminar and also represented an essential section of the society & their problems -poor communities

Environmental Science Department of K.J.Somaiya College conducts an annual festival called Convergence and Reunion event. The whole festival is known to be a carbon neutral event and is one of its kinds in Mumbai. The event witnesses many students from all over Mumbai to participate in various activities conducted during the festival. Green Health Foundation had set up a stall in this event. Games like quiz

were organized for participant’s and the prizes were given in the form of a tulsi plant. This encouraged students of various fields to know more about the field of environment. A free Plant distribution was carried out during this event. The saplings of “Ocimum tenuiflorum” commonly known as tulsi plant

were distributed. The plant is well known for its medicinal properties and to purify the indoor air quality of households. Owing to these properties people were encouraged to plant and take care of the sapling. Suggestions for healthy growth of the plants were also given. This ultimately helps in aiding to increase a little bit of the greenery in the planet.

There was also a model demonstration of a “sustainable building” which explained the various technologies that can make urban environment eco-friendly without compromising on the comforts. Technologies like rain water harvesting, vermicomposting, Solar panels and algal panels that address problems like water scarcity, solid waste, and, high electricity usage. The processes were explained in detail and encouraged the young crowd to learn about eco-friendly ways of living.

Due to a shortage of potable water since 2 years in Latur district of Maharashtra, some people of the district have come to Mumbai in search of water, food and employment. One such area where they are living is in Bhattwadi area (Ghatkopar). When a visit to Bhattwadi area was conducted it was observed that about 300-400 people from

Latur and Nanded district of Marathwada region were living in the area since Diwali. In Bhattwadi area water is supplied with the help of tank by BMC. There are some organizations which are providing them food and clothes to help them for their survival. Bhattwadi dwellers work on daily wages (bigari) and their income is Rs.00/400 depending on work available to them. Some of them would return after the rains for farming and some have already returned. To understand their situation at Bhattwadi some questions on health and conditions in the area were assessed through GHF

Blood Donation Camp Was organized at Maxus mall, Bhayandar on 29^th November 2015. Environmental awareness was clubbed with the blood donation camp to enhance public approach as well as to spread environmental awareness among people. The camp was organized by Kutch Yuvak Sangh and supported by Green Health Foundation, Lions Club of Mira Bhayandar Galaxy, Leo Club of Mira Bhayandar Galaxy, Kartavya a part of life & Ahinsa GHF’s role for the event was to design the THEME Environment for Blood Donation Camp and to contribute to the camp. As theme partners to the event, GHF designed banners for public awareness

on Water Wastage & Water issues as diseases and contamination problems. The camp was conducted by Mira- Bhayandar Municipality Blood Bank. Every donor was rewarded with a certificate and was given a Tulsi sapling towards appreciation of Blood Donation Activity and interactions were made during the process to ensure that true sense of environmental awareness was delivered to each donor and people around. Also there were cut outs of Leaf and Trees made which were worn by volunteers to attract people for the causes as well as spread awareness on the theme. The Camp received about 200 bottles of blood which was submitted to the municipal blood bank. Green Health Foundation looks forward to such more camps where a combination of themes can be done to make the atmosphere more interactive and to promote various issues from a single stage.”

• Health Trend Analysis was performed at Mass Gathering, Kumbh Mela 2015, at Nasik and Kumbh Mela 2019, PrayagRaj, Allahabad

Production of 2 awareness films for Kumbh Mela, 2019. GHF had carried out one innovative initiative called as VR 360 virtual Video. In this initiative, we played a 5 min short film on the global warming and Namami Gange program in which we aware and motivated people about the environment and clean Ganga river mission. Environment & Health Awareness Campaign aim is to raise awareness about the cleanliness of natural resources to protect the environment. Spreading awareness for environment protection by promoting the activities such as waste minimization by recycling, energy conservation, ban of polluting activities, promotion of renewable sources and energy saving techniques, tree plantation to improve green cover, awareness of biodiversity protection for balance ecosystem.

• Distribution of brochures to increase the level of environmental awareness, which have all the information regarding not to litter, use of

dustbins.

• Video and photography coverage of the entire programme.

• Interviews of Sadhus in different Akhada’s and interviews with a local and regional news channel about organization activities