As part of Special Campaign 6.0, the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, is demonstrating how scientific innovation can turn campus waste into a valuable environmental asset. By processing fallen leaves and garden residues through in-house composting pits, the institute generates around 6,000 kg of rich organic compost annually. Utilizing a balanced 80% compost to 20% soil mix across its two-acre green cover, ARI has eliminated the need for external fertilizers, reduced landfill waste, and fostered a thriving ecosystem housing over 100 tree species, medicinal plants, and a dedicated Orchidarium.
Beyond organic waste recycling, ARI is advancing household nutrition security through its innovative “6×6 Nutrition Garden Model.” Designed for compact 6×6-meter spaces, this scientific crop-planning model allows a family of five or six to cultivate 23 varieties of fresh vegetables in limited urban or rural plots. By uniting circular economy principles with practical biodiversity conservation, ARI exemplifies how research institutions can drive sustainable, campus-level environmental action.
Sponsored
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
