CSR Thrust Areas - ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS
HARITHAGIRI
By keeping its commitment to the Society, Cochin Shipyard Ltd created another mile stone in CSR by implementing the Harithagiri project, to promote grow bag cultivation among the residents of Girinagar in Cochin Corporation.
The project is implemented by ‘Mathrubhumi’-a renowned newspaper group, along with Girinagar Residents association aiming to create awareness among the urban residents on the need of growing organic vegetable garden at their own limited premises.
In a function held on 08th January 2022 at the Residents’ Association hall, Hon. Minister for Agriculture Sh. P Prasad inaugurated the function presided by Sh. PV Chandran, Chairman & Managing Director, ‘Mathrubhumi’ in the distinguished presence of Sh. Madhu S Nair, Chairman & Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Ltd., and Adv. M Anil Kumar, Hon. Mayor, Kochi Corporation. Sh. V Sivaramakrishnan, CEO, V&FPCK, Ward Councillor Smt. Anjana Rajesh, Sh. Sambath Kumar PN AGM (CSR) and the Association Secretary Smt. Laly Augustine are the other dignitaries who delivered speech on behalf of the project.
Initially 100 households were selected as beneficiaries of this project from Girinagar Residential area. Six types of vegetable plants were distributed to each household where they will get guidance and advice from the expert team created for the purpose on a regular basis.
‘BEYOND SCAVENGING’ - Pioneering a Path to Dignity and Progress
In the shadows of our bustling cities, hidden from the glimmering façade of progress, exists unsung heroes, “manual scavengers’, who bear the weight of our waste and the burden of degrading inhuman labour. Manual scavenging exposes them to hazardous work environments, causing risk to life and health. Their hands, calloused and weary, delve into the depths of manholes, unearthing the filth that society discards. The plight of manual scavengers represents a grave violation of human rights.
Large disposal of wastes in cities, coupled with inadequate drainage systems, poses significant environmental issues. The exponential increase in waste generation in cities due to urbanization leads to pollution and contamination of ecosystems, posing health risks to humans. To mitigate these challenges, it is crucial to implement comprehensive waste management strategies. CSL being a frontrunner in technology adaptation believes that science and technology has solutions for many of our problems.
To address this issue, CSL has been a catalyst of transformation by undertaking an initiative along with the start-up Co., M/s GenRobotics who have successfully developed and put in place innovative robotic technology across various cities in the country. The equipment, ‘Bandicoot’ can withstand harsh conditions and navigate through complex underground environments to diminish the entire concept of inhuman manholes and manual scavenging. The system includes sensors, object recognition and human operations that would be incorporated by the existing workers through training and transforming them as ‘Robotic operators’ thus ensuring an upgradation of their social status. Bandicoot is the most elegant, efficient and economical way of maintaining manholes in our cities. The project is owned and operated by M/s C-HED, the NGO promoted by Kochi Municipal Corporation.
Swacch Bharat initiative at V B U P School Thrickodithanam
Being the flagship project of Government of India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA), was launched in the country to achieve the vision of a ‘Clean India’. The massive cleanliness drive aimed at bringing behavioral changes in people by instilling in them good health and sanitation practices.
V B U P School Thrickodithanam holds legacy of over 85 years and is one of the most prominent educational institutions in the region. The school mostly engages students from the economically weak background and has an excellent track record.
As part of CSL’s commitment to Swacch Bharat Initiative of Government of India, the company under its CSR programme extended support to the school for building a toilet complex for the benefit of the students.
SWACHHATA HI SEVA 2019 - AWARENESS DRIVE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) organized an Awareness class for school children along with BIN IT India under Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan Programme known as Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign on 30th Sep 2019 at Cochin Shipyard Recreation Club auditorium.
The main purpose of this programme was to recommit Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for clean and litter free India. According to the call of action made by the Prime Minister during his Independence Day speech on 15th Aug 2019, this year theme was focused on plastic waste management and towards the effective ban of Single Use Plastic (SUP).
"We should look after the earth as our mother; you should not forget your father, mother as well as mother earth"-was the key message given by Shri. Gopinath Muthukad, the Chief Guest on the occasion. Presided by the CSL Director of Finance Shri. V.J Jose, CSL DGM & CWO Shri. Subash AK, Smt. Diya Mathew, BIN IT India were the other key speakers during the programme.
The children were made aware on the need of cleanliness, self confidence etc. with the learning cum interactive session along with magical tricks led by Shri. Gopinath. Keeping with the spirit of the event snacks were wrapped in banana leaves were served in areca leaf plates. More than 500 school children attended the campaign from nearby schools along with their teachers. All the children took pledge towards effective ban of plastic and to protect their environment alongwith the CSL team.
Swacch Bharat Campaign in CSL
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a campaign by the Government of India to keep the streets, roads and infrastructure of the country's 4,041 statutory cities and towns and its rural areas clean. The mission is bifurcated into sub-missions as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin), under Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban), under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It includes ambassadors and activities such as a run, national real-time monitoring and updates from NGOs.
The campaign was officially launched on 2 October 2014 at Rajghat, New Delhi, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is India's largest ever cleanliness drive with 3 million government employees, especially school and college students from all parts of India, participating in the campaign. The objectives of Swachh Bharat are to reduce or eliminate open defecation through the construction of individual, cluster and community toilets.
In order to achieve this objective the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways GOI has announced a cleaning campaign among all its departments, bodies and undertakings. The Ministry has directed all its sub-ordinate offices and central undertakings to conduct “ Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Campaign” from 15th September to October 2nd 2017 by arranging various befitting programs.
CSL has been actively involved in promoting the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ever since it was announced. In order to effectively implement this particular Campaign, CSL has worked out systematic schedule of ‘Action Programs’ both within and outside the company. One of such initiative outside the company is the ‘Cleaning Operations of the Thevara Perandur Canal area and the Children’s park of Boat Jetty area’.
The ‘Cleaning Operations of Thevara Perandur Canal near the market area’ were organized on 26 September, involving NSS volunteers from SH College Thevara. More than 100 volunteers including the Principal and Teachers of the College were present on the occasion. The program was kick started with the Swachhta Message by the Director Technical Shri. Sunny Thomas of CSL. A large number of employees representing various unions from CSL also participated in the cleaning efforts.
On 27th September, the cleaning operations were undertaken at the Children’s Park in the Boat Jetty area. NSS volunteers from St. Theresas College, Ernakulam along with their faculty members were present in large numbers. The Cleaning efforts started with an inspiring message from the General Manager (Ship Building) Shri. A.V. Sureshkumar of Cochin Shipyard Limited. A number of employees from CSL representing various Unions and Women’s forum also actively participated in the efforts.
Both these efforts were undertaken in collaboration with the Local Bodies.
Hydration Hub
Water ATM at Cochin Fisheries Harbour, Thoppumady
Cochin Fisheries Harbour hails more than 2000 people who pay huge money for mineral water and others who depend on unprocessed and contaminated water for consumption and also to carry to the outer sea in their fishing boats.
Many a times, the empty water bottles are disposed in the sea itself that damages the ecosystem and affects fisheries wealth. The cure to this was countered by Cochin Shipyard Limited, by installing a water purification system which provided safe drinking water, in the form of a water vending ATM at a nominal cost.
This has proven to be effective for both the people and the environment, as the fishermen and harbour workers can access safe drinking water at a very reasonable rate, while at the same time it will also decrease the waste disposal of plastic bottles into the sea. The user- friendly interface of the water ATM empowers the community with a reliable and convenient source of hydration.
Harithakeralam Mission – Amballurkavu Pond
When water is increasingly turning into a sparse commodity, the district administration has managed to bolster its water conservation measures by its innovative and unique project named Harithakeralam Mission with the support of Cochin Shipyard’s Corporate Social Responsibility scheme and Amballur Grama Panchayath.
In a formal function held on 27 Oct 2020, the District Collector Shri. S Suhas IAS submitted the renovated pond to the public of Amballur Panchayath. The Panchayath President Smt. Jalaja Mohanan, Mission District Co-ordinator Mr. Sujith Karun were also present during the occasion along with CSR officials of CSL Mr. Sambath Kumar P N and Mr. Sasindradas.
The pond was completely beyond the use as it was filled with filthy materials which converted into a new source for agriculture purposes after cleaning the whole area around 50 cents. A total of 6 ponds were selected to renovate at Ernakulam District under this project with the support of CSL, contributing a total amount of Rs.35 Lakhs.
Shipyard’s Commitment To Maintenance Of Subash Park Under Its Csr Programme
The green quiet oasis of the bustling Kochi overlooking the calming Vembanad Lake, Subash Park is a delightful experience for children, youngsters and aged alike. Lakefront park at the heart of Kochi maintained by the Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development under Kochi Municipal Corporation is a nice place to enjoy the breezy winds resting under the green canopies and lush lawns. The park is also housing a number of sculptures and art works of eminent sculptors and artists.
CSL has come forward towards maintenance of the park for the year 2020-21 as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Owing to COVID-19 restrictions, the park has been closed for nearly seven months now. Cleaning and maintenance of the park are being undertaken efficiently and the park is now all set to re-open whenever government grants permission.
Smt. Soumini Jain, Mayor, Shri. Madhu S Nair, C&MD (CSL), Shri. Sambath Kumar P N, AGM (CSR&A) of CSL and Deputy Managers of CSL, Shri. Sasindradas P S and Shri. Yoosaf A K among other prominent personalities visited the park on 25th September 2020 and reviewed the status.
“Urban Mini Forest” – a Miyawaki model Afforestation by CSL
An urban forest is a forest or a collection of trees that grow within a City or town which may include any kind of woody plant vegetation growing in and around human settlements. Cochin Shipyard Ltd., initiated this pilot project of a mini forest within the township using Miyawaki method with the technical support of NGGF, Trivandrum.
The project implemented at a 5 cents land owned to CSL in the amidst of city, at Panampilli Nagar. The afforested area was enclosed with a boundary wall of height about 2.25 ft. A green net has been spread as a roof cover at a height of 6 ft from ground to mitigate the impact of direct sunlight.
The afforestation has been carried out making use of the method developed by Japanese botanist Prof. (Dr) Akira Miyawaki that helps in creating dense, native forests. The approach is supposed to ensure that plant growth is 10 times faster and the resulting plantation is 30 times denser than usual. The purpose of this method is to restore the original forest ecosystem using tree species native to that region. The methodology adopted aims at reducing the time span for regenerating natural forests in a barren land to 1/10th of normal secondary succession 200 to 500 years.
The process involved digging the site with one meter deep which further filled the manure comprising of 5 tons of rice hull, 10 tons of dried goat droppings, 10 tons of coir pith and approximately equal quantity of sieved soil was filled in the pit in a descending ratio. The first layer filled in had a proportion of 16:3:3 quantity of soil, goat droppings, coir pith and rice hull and the top most sixth layer had a proportion mix of 3:3:3:3.
The Plantation activity had took place after marking the site into squares of 1 sq mt each in which 4 plants were to be planted. About 1061 forest, fruiting, flowering and medicinal plants which were carefully tended in specially prepared potting mix for three months was then replanted evenly in the marked squares. Mulching was done after planting on the entire site with 100 sacks of wood shavings to retain moisture and keep check on weeds. The watering is manually done daily with hose pipes and sprinklers.
Plastic Kurakkam, Kurakkanam, Kurache Pattu
Aiming to create awareness among the youth on the need to recycle and creating an action plan to reduce plastic waste in the city, Cochin Shipyard Ltd., supported the initiative of Bhoomitra Sena Club of St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam for the project named “Plastic Kurakkam, Kurakkanam, Kurache Pattu (PK3)”.
On 20th February 2020, a valedictory function to honour the school students who recycled the most number of plastic carry bags in the recycling drives lasting over a year under the PK3 was organized. The formal event was presided over by honourable MP Shri. Hibi Eden, who encouraged and applauded the eco-friendly initiatives and efforts of the College. The function blessed with the presence of Cine artists Mr. Asif Ali, Ms. Niranjana Anoop and Ms. Prayaga Martin were the chief guests for the function where Shri. Shithil Nath K.G, Manager (Fin) and Shri Yoosuf A K, DM (CSR) of Cochin Shipyard Ltd distributed the certificates to the school students who were a part of PK3 project. Three best performing schools were awarded Rs. 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively.
CSL supported this novel initiative of the students to spread messages on the need to protect environment and create awareness among the youth.
One Less Plastic Bag
On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) along with Times of India organised "One Less Plastic Bag" an awareness campaign to curb the use of plastic in day to day life. CSL launched this three day awareness programme to spread the importance of embracing eco-friendly options and avoiding disposable, single - use plastic in day to today life.
In this campaign jute bags with a printed message "1 Less Plastic bag" were given to those carrying plastic bags at various parts of Ernakulam. 25000 jute bags are planned to distribute during this three day campaign from starting from 02nd October 2019. During the launch of the programme at MG Metro station Shri. Suresh Babu NV Director (Operations), CSL spoke on the hazards of plastic. Shri. Ramesh KJ, CGM (HR), Shri. Subash AK DGM (P&A) and Shri. Sambath Kumar were led the campaign along with other team members of CSL.
100 PONDS
100 PONDS IN 50 DAYS
Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Honourable Chief Minister inaugurated the culmination of the project - 100 PONDS IN 50 DAYS.
The event was held on 30 May 2017 at 9 AM at Vadavukode Panchayat, Ernakulam District, in the presence of prominent people’s representatives and the District Collector.
Shri Madhu S Nair, C&MD, CSL also spoke on the occasion. He, along with Shri M D Varghese, General Manager (IR&A)/Chief/CSR and CSR team members of CSL attended the function.
The project, funded by Cochin Shipyard, as part of CSR was declared to be inaugurated on 22 March 2017 (World Water day).The project was taken up under the leadership of Ernakulam District Administration, as part of ‘Haritha Kerala Mission’ with active public participation.
Fish Cemetry
Commissioning of Art Installation "Fish Cemetery" at Fort Kochi Beach as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan of GOI.
The 3rd edition of Kochi Muziris Biennale 2016-17 was organized from 12th December to 12th March 2017. An estimated million visitors with concerns for the environment and international media participated in this event. As a part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, CMFRI wanted to create awareness on the impending need to protect the marine resources from pollution especially the fish through a big art installation at Fort Kochi beach during the time of Kochi Biennale 2016-17.
CMFRI erected a novel concept titled 'Fish Cemetery' which is a state of art installation with scrap metals, ghost net, left over plastics sourced from beach with an approximate area of 2000 sq.ft. with the objective of creating awareness about need for protection and conservation of flora and fauna and also about its significant contribution towards Swacch Bharat Abhiyan.
The art installation was exhibited over a month along with media meet and other programs. CSL extended support to the tune of Rs.4.50 Lakhs to CMFRI, Cochin.
World Water Day
Celebration of "World Water Day" A Unique Experience at CSL
In solidarity with the international theme of Why waste water on the World Water Day, Cochin Shipyard organized various programs in collaboration with different stakeholders as a part of its “SWACHATA PAKWARA” celebration, contributing to the over arching Swachh Bharat Abhiyan of Government of India.
One of the major objectives of the celebration of World Water Day is to create awareness among the public about the importance of conserving water and reducing its wastage. Realizing the significance of water in Kerala especially in Cochin, CSL in collaboration with the Local Administration organized a platform for people to express their concerns related to water (through Paintings on the canvas) at Abdul Kalam Marg, Marine Drive. The event was launched by none other than the famous artist Shri. Kaladharan Master. As a part of the inauguration he drew a picture depicting his own concern over the water problem, which was a unique way of launching the event. Many artists present on the occasion made their painting on the canvas arranged for the event and drew the attention of the people on the impending dangers, if no effective precautionary measures are taken to reuse, recycle and reduce the wastage of water. This unique event was concluded in the evening with the performance by a Children’s Troup from Peringottukara ( Vadakkanchery area) who used bamboo musical instruments to sing and praise the need to conserve water. The famous artist, Shri. Satyapal concluded the event by exhorting everyone to seriously enter into small actions that can enhance the water availability for the present and for the future.
The day also witnessed a colloquium on water, in partnership n with the District Administration of Ernakulam. A new scheme “ Renovation of 100 Ponds in 50 Days’ was announced in the colloquium where various representatives of the Local Self Government bodies of Ernakulam District were present at the Fine Arts Centre. The District Panchayat President and the District Collector were present on the occasion. The scheme is to enhance drinking water availability in all the punchayats of Ernakulam with the active participation of the people. CSL General Manager announced CSR support for the scheme once the details are worked out with the district administration. He emphasized that the program must be sustainable with effective local participation. The assistance of CSL Volunteers (Sena) will be made available apart from the financial support for effective implementation of the project.