Cluster for Environmental Sustainability

Manav Rachna Research Cluster for Environmental Sustainability

 Fostering Environmental Sustainability across all Stakeholders is one of the best practices implemented in MRIIRS. Manav Rachna Research Cluster for Environmental Sustainability has an important role in the integration of sustainable practices in academics and research.  This cluster forms a pool of faculty members, scholars and professionals from the field of environmental chemistry, hydrology, hydrogeology, hydrochemistry, civil engineering, mathematics, eco-hydrology and environment management. Under this cluster following units have been established:

1. Manav Rachna Centre for Advance Water Technology & Management (MRCAWTM)
2. Sustainable Chemistry Centre (SCC)

 
Manav Rachna Centre for Advance Water Technology & Management

Manav Rachna Centre for Advance Water Technology & Management was established in 2017 to pursue teaching, research, consultancy and impart training programs in hydrogeology, water resources engineering and management, water quality and collateral environment and ecology issues.

The Centre aims to address real challenges faced by the stakeholders and also provides a platform for science and technology-based solutions through non-invasive investigation, water quality analysis, recycling of wastewater, surface and groundwater flow and resource analysis, satellite databased interpretation, local and regional scale hydrostat graphic analysis, mathematical modeling of water resources and GIS-based applications.

Dr. NC Wadhwa, DG, MREI is providing the overall leadership to MRCAWTM. Dr. Dipankar Saha was appointed as the present Chair Professor of MRCAWTM on 14^th April 2021 after the demise of the first and founder Chair Professor Dr D K Chadha.  Dr. Arunangshu Mukherjee is working as the Director, of MRCAWTM. The Centre is a team of multidisciplinary professionals providing real-time solutions to challenges in the water domain. MRCAWTM is having five field research units in the state of Haryana-India, one each at Barmer, Ballabhgarh, Khol-Rewari, Palwal, and Panchkula where two to ten field specialists are working. MRCAWTM has been able to achieve significant milestones in the form of projects obtained, executed, and completed.  MRCAWTM is accredited by CGWA, GOI on 1^st Oct 2021 for next 5yrs.  So far 8 projects have been successfully completed between June 2018 and June 2021 of worth ~Rs2.0 Cr. Further, 11 more projects of Rs 11.31 Cr are in progress as on 31^st July 2022. MRCAWTM is working for its vision of clean water for all forever. The major area of work includes 1. R&D Studies, 2. Technical Interventions, 3. Training and Capacity Building, 4. Outreach programs, 5. Product and Innovation.

Publications on Water Research

Research Papers

1. Deep Learning-Based Forecasting of Groundwater Level Trends in India: Implications for Crop Production and Drinking Water Supply, 2021, Malakar P, Mukherjee A, Bhanja SN, Sarkar S, Saha D, Roy R K. E S & T ENGINEERING, https://pubs.acs.org/action/showCitFormats?doi=10.1021/acsestengg.0c00238&ref=pdf, American Chemical Society
2. Isotope and hydrochemical systematics of groundwater from a multi-tiered aquifer in the central parts of Indo-Gangetic Plains, India –Implications for groundwater sustainability and security, 2021 Keesari T, Sinha U K, Saha D, Dwivedi S N, Shukla RR, Mohokar H , Roy A. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147860, Impact factor – 6.551
3. Harvesting of water by tunnelling: A case study from lateritic terrains of Western Ghats, India, 2021 Joji, V.S., Gayen, A. & Saha, D.. J Earth Syst Sci 130, 202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-021-01687.
4. Kumar, R., Chawla, J. Removal of Cadmium Ion from Water/Wastewater by Nano-metal Oxides: A Review. Water Qual Expo Health 5, 215–226 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-013-0100-8

Books Published

1. Clean and Sustainable Groundwater in India, Springer Hydrogeology Serise,2018, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4552-3.
2. Artificial Recharge and Rainwater Harvesting: Issues and Learnings from the Developing Countries- A Monograph of NAM Science and Technology Centre Published by Springer, 2021-22.

Book Chapters

1. Exploration-driven Groundwater Management Plan for Karst dominated small Isolated Geological Basin of Central Indian Craton. KARST 2018 – Expect the Unexpected, 359-368.
2. Groundwater Resources and Sustainable Management Issues in India, 2018, p1-11 DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-4552-3.

Conference Publications

1. Groundwater Legislation in India – A critical appraisal- Aqua Cong 2017.
2. Master Plan for water security in MRIU, Faridabad as adaptive measure under climate change- Aqua Cong 2017.
3. Innovative automatic technique of aquifer characterization for groundwater assessment- IGWC 2017.
4. Ground Water Challenges in Development and Management of Basaltic aquifers, Maharashtra- NW_INCIAH 2018.
5. Geology and Hydrogeology of Mesoproterozoic Chhattisgarh Basin: A Review- NW_INCIAH 2018.
6. An alternative scheme for aquifer classification of Indian Aquifer System – Compendium-NC_INCIAH 2018.
7. Diminishing runoff and declining groundwater table in and around Aravali ranges of National capital region, India- approaching desertification, 36 IGC, Noida2019, –
8. International Conference on Environmental Challenges and Solutions, 31st January to 2nd February, 2020.

Reports Produced

1. Report on Pre-feasibility study on Restoration of Badkhal Lake, Faridabad, Haryana, India. (2015)
2. Inception Report- WASH Innovation Lab Faridabad, Haryana, India. (2018)
3. Report on Training of City Officials to Address Challenges of Water Supply and Management in Faridabad, Haryana, India. (2018)
4. Detailed Project report Revival of Nagla Gujran Pond, Ballabhgarh, Haryana, India. (2019)
5. Detailed Investigation report for Rainwater Harvesting in Khoh, Maneser, Haryana, India. (2019)
6. Eco & Water Facts- Communicating Science through Model Water & Eco Health Clinic for Quality of Life, 2019.
7. SOPs for water analysis under Model Water & Eco Health Clinic, 2019.
8. Detailed Project report on Hydro census of Aquifer Monitoring Barmer, Rajasthan, India. (2021)
9. Inception Report, Work Plan and Base line Report-Cluster 06 Faridabad -Rewari, Haryana, India. (2021)
10. Inception Report, Work Plan and Base line Report-Cluster 07 Palwal, Haryana, India. (2021)
11. Comprehensive Report on Groundwater Condition in both core and buffer zone of Pendherwani Manganese Mine, Khaurlanji block Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, India. (2022)
12. Comprehensive Report on Groundwater Condition in both core and buffer zone of Miragpur Manganese Mine, Khaurlanji block Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, India. (2022)

Booklet and Brochures

• Brochure of Center for Advance Water Technology and Management 2017. 
• Bhujal Chalisa, CAWTM 2017.
• Revival plan of Badkhal Lake, Faridabad, Haryana, India. (2018)
• WASH Innovation Lab Faridabad, Haryana, India. (2018)
• Report on Assessment Workshop- IHUWASH, 2018.
• Artificial Recharge to GW structures suitable for various spaces in variable areas in NCR- National Capital Region, India. (2018)
• Rainwater Harvesting in Campus of MRIIRS, Faridabad, Haryana, India. (2019)
• Aquifer Management Plan-village Khoh, Gurugram, Haryana, India. (2020)
• Hydrogeological studies and Aquifer monitoring of Thar Desert Barmer, Rajasthan, India. (2021)

Weblink: More Details on Manav Rachna Centre for Advance Water Technology & Management

Sustainable Chemistry Centre (SCC)

Sustainable Chemistry Centre has been established in 2018 in School of Engineering and Technology. Effective implementation of sustainable practices in university is not possible without the engagement of students. The Centre contributes in teaching and research and highly competent faculty trains the young minds to explore, innovate, analyse and acquaint themselves with the applications of green Chemistry and environmental issues through following initiatives:

1. R&D Studies

 2.’Chemistry for Engineers’ lab course and activity based ‘environmental science’ course designed for B.Tech students

3. Guidance to students working on design thinking and innovation project as a part of their B.Tech curriculum
4. Research guidance to postgraduate and Ph.D students
5. Guidance to students working on start-up projects.

Green Chemistry lab has been set up under this centre for undergraduate/post graduate students, research scholars and faculty. Green experiments with less water and energy consumption, using green reagents have been designed to minimise waste, decrease exposure to hazardous chemicals and the adverse impact on the environment.  In addition, SCC provides exposure of wide range of and statistical/modelling skills to students for designing sustainable experiments and developing solutions to environmental issues.

Centre has dedicated faculty researchers and experts from different departments:

1. Shagufta Jabin, Professor of Chemistry
2. Jyoti Chawla, Professor of Chemistry
3. Anupama Rajput, Professor of Chemistry
4. Rajeev Kumar, Associate Professor of Chemistry
5. Anupama Chadha, Professor of Computer Applications
6. Anjali Gupta, Professor of Civil Engineering
7. Vijay Kumar, Professor of Mathematics

Students are working in two NewGen IEDC project start-ups under the guidance of faculty in following areas:

1. IOT based soil analysis Kit
2. Polymers for water treatment

SCC have been able to achieve significant milestones in the form of start-up projects, research, paper publications. Four Ph.D scholars from department of Chemistry are also pursuing research in the centre. They are working on Soil analysis and development of materials for heavy metal and dye removal from water. Two students working in the lab have successfully completed their Ph.D in the area of   water remediation during last 4 years.

Student participation in various activities related to environment sustainability:

• Students participated in “Sustainathon” (Leap Hun Challenge) under the guidance of Dr. Shagufta Jabin as a part of Global peace leadership conference held on 11.04.2023 in Manav Rachna University. It was great opportunity for our students to learn from the experts in the field and to engage in discussions on sustainable development.

• Students have also participated in interuniversity “Science Carnival” held on 28^thApril 2023 organized by Department of Applied Sciences, MRIIRS, It was aimed to promote appreciable innovativeness and creativity in environment protection through working models, poster making competition and expert talk.

Research Publications/Book chapters in the related area:

Few papers/book chapters published by students under the supervision of faculty related to environmental remediation, water and soil quality management, novel materials for water treatment in last three years can be accessed through following links:

• Revisiting the modern approach to manage agricultural solid waste: an innovative solution https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-023-03309-7
• Bio remedial Process: A Review on Removal of Fluoride from the Waste Water: http://www.envirobiotechjournals.com/EEC/Vol29MaySupplIssue2023/EEC-73.pdf
• 4-Formylphenyl boronic acid grafted amino MCM-41 for efficient adsorption of Cu(II) ions in aqueous medium: isotherm, kinetic and optimization studies https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15569543.2021.1907592
• PAVO CRISTATUS FEATHER POWDER AS AN ECO-FRIENDLY AND LOW COST MATERIAL FOR MITIGATION OF Pb(II) IONS FROM WATER https://ajap.um.edu.my/index.php/MJS/article/view/17467
• Green Materials: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003297772-14
• Plastic Pollution and its Impact on Environment: http://www.envirobiotechjournals.com/EEC/Vol29MaySupplIssue2023/EEC-14.pdf
• Effectiveness of Exploring the various waste materials in enhancing concrete performance: A Comprehensive Review: https://www.eurchembull.com/uploads/paper/90fbc6ad54de1b71e60d4bf60e33a3a7.pdf

ü  Performance of dye-sensitized solar cells extracted dye from wood apple leaves: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2399-6528/ac8785

ü  Integration of Microalgae-Based Wastewater Bioremediation–Biorefinery Process to Promote Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainability: A Review : https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/clen.202100407

ü  “Utilization of plastic waste in construction industry in India – A review”: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214785323017613

ü  “Sustainable use of silica fume in green cement concrete production: A review”: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41062-023-01164-z