Sustainable practices
Agastya Academy is nestled within a 30-acre green campus where every brick laid and every initiative undertaken resonates with a commitment to environmental stewardship. Every aspect of our institution reflects a deep commitment to sustainable practices, from the materials used in construction to our agricultural methods and waste management systems. In this blog, let's get into the various initiatives that define Agastya Academy's harmonious relationship with nature.
Building Blocks of Sustainability
Our campus is constructed using eco-friendly Porotherm blocks, ensuring structural integrity and also thermal insulation for cooler interiors. The Primary Block affectionately named ‘Dwaraka’, is designed around three majestic Neem trees, symbolizes our integration of nature into the very fabric of our infrastructure, providing not just shade but also a sanctuary for children's interactions with the natural world.
Sustainable Practices in Agriculture
At Agastya, we practice organic farming on our 3-acre farm, Adhi Vanam. Through permaculture and companion planting techniques, we've transformed barren land into a thriving ecosystem.
Further, by meticulous soil preparation and mulching techniques we support the growth of diverse crops, while our own seed bank ensures the preservation of native plant varieties. Students actively participate in agricultural activities, learning the importance of sustainable practices firsthand.
Water Management and Conservation
The campus features a rainwater harvesting plant and a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with a capacity of 380,000 litres, fulfilling our water needs sustainably as a supplement to well water. The STP purifies sewage water, yielding approximately 24,000 litres daily for agricultural use. Solar-powered 5hp motors power our drip irrigation system, ensuring efficient water distribution with organic inputs like fish amino acids and vermicompost, produced onsite by our trained farm labourers.
Solid Waste Management
We are also committed to Solid waste management. Our pet park, housing cows and ducks, enriches farm fertility with their waste cow dung, urine, and duck pond water. We prioritize returning nature's gifts, like leaves and kitchen scraps, to the soil. Our practices include using bio enzymes from fermented fruits and vegetable peels, vermicomposting, and naturally nurturing soil with desi cow dung and leaf litter. These efforts yield 600kgs of vermicompost and Verm wash monthly for farm activities.
Educational Endeavours through NEST curriculum
Sustainability is integrated into our curriculum, with students actively participating in various eco-friendly initiatives. Our school's core curriculum, NEST, embodies Natural farming, Eating mindfully, Sustainable living, and a Tribute to Earth. Agastya Naturals, a student-led entrepreneurship model seamlessly aligns with sustainable living and Tribute to Earth. NEST classes, spanning from grade 3 to 12, foster an open environment where students engage in self-directed learning.
The fruits of our labour fuel Agastya Naturals, offering a variety of sustainably made Value added products, from Doops, Diyas, Bath Powder, Shampoo bars, Soap bars, Dishwash bars, Moringa powder, Bio enzymes, Vibuthi, Kumkum etc which are derived from herbs at Aadhi Vanam.
Community Outreach
Furthermore, we harvest more than 20 varieties of local vegetables to support our school dining, with 250 meals prepared daily using 25 kg of produce. Surplus vegetables are redirected through Agastya Community Outreach (ACOR) to our parents. We give priority to buying farm products from our parents and local farmers, thus reducing carbon footprints and boosting local resilience.
Innovative Recycling
We also initiated the ' Re-Live Papers' project, aimed at recycling post-consumer waste papers from classrooms into usable products. Guided by teachers, students processed discarded papers using household tools and experimented with natural dyes for bio-printing. Our project showcasing grassroots recycling and eco-friendly practices. Finally, our efforts culminated in the creation of eco-friendly gift wrap papers and decorative crafts, demonstrating the feasibility of sustainable practices in everyday life.
Habitat Conservation
A long with recycling efforts, habitat conservation initiatives were undertaken through the documentation of approximately 43 bird species and over 150 farm insects. Furthermore, we've identified and cultivated over 40 varieties of native trees and also nurture a total of 750 trees in our campus, showcasing our dedication to biodiversity preservation.
Other Sustainability Projects
We have also launched projects including biogas plant to convert waste into energy and we’ve trained senior secondary students to make self-fertilizing and self-wicking beds in our new blocks teaching “self-reliance”, further solidifying our commitment to a greener future.
To Conclude
At Agastya Academy, sustainable practices aren’t just a catchphrase; it's a way of life. We believe in nurturing children with awareness towards creating a healthier planet for future generations while receiving a holistic education at Agastya Academy. We extend an invitation to like-minded parents and teachers to join us in our commitment to leave behind a healthier planet for future generations.