Kinnows are a rich source of vitamin C, beneficial for health and abundantly available in Punjab in winters. In a unique initiative by a group of schools, kinnow peels are now being used for water purification by developing ‘bio-enzymes’. Recognising the nutritional value of this fruit, the Punjab Government has included kinnows in the midday meal programme.
However, schools are facing a significant challenge in managing the bio-waste from kinnow peels, which accumulate in large quantities, raising serious environmental concerns. To address this issue, the Arya Group of Institutes, in collaboration with PAU and CIPHET, has developed bio-enzymes from kinnow peels. These enzymes are being used to treat the wastewater of Buddha Nullah, a crucial step in supporting the Buddha Nullah cleanliness campaign.
March 22, marked as World Water Day, saw the Arya Group of Institutes undertake a unique water purification initiative using bio-enzymes. Several schools of the Arya Group, including RS Model Senior Secondary School, BCM Arya, BCM International and BCM Lalton, collaborated with institutions like PAU (ICAR-CIPHET) for this project. Experts Dr Rakesh Sharda, Project Coordinator at ICAR-CIPHET; and Praveen, Coordinator of the Haryaval Punjab initiative, along with other research institutes, played a key role in this effort.
Rakesh Jain, president of Arya Group of Institutes, said the school group made a significant contribution to the cleanliness of Buddha Nullah, a mission initiated by environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal. “With the Punjab Government incorporating kinnow fruit into students’ midday meals as a nutritious dietary addition, the disposal of kinnow peels had become an environmental concern. To tackle this issue, bio-enzymes derived from kinnow peels were used to purify the polluted waters of Buddha Nullah. These eco-friendly and highly effective bio-enzymes ensure the cleanliness of the water body while being completely safe and chemical-free,” said Dr Rakesh Sharda.
Dr Paramjeet Kaur, Director of Arya Group of Institutes, said 2,000 students prepared 150 litres of bio-enzymes in 90 days in a special project lab at RS Model Senior Secondary School. On World Water Day, these enzymes were released into Buddha Nullah, which passes near Gurudwara Gaughat. A rally was also organised on the occasion, with 200 students participating and raising slogans to spread awareness about water conservation and responsible water usage.
The Tribune
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