IndiGlobal Green Champions Series:
Meet Dr. B. Mohan Kumar, Principal of Badruka College of Commerce & Arts, Hyderabad — the visionary educator driving meaningful sustainability initiatives on campus. In this exclusive interaction with IndiGlobal Media Network, he shares insights into leadership, green innovation, and shaping a responsible academic future.
Q: We’d love to know more about the green and sustainable initiatives taken up by your institution.
Certainly. At Badruka, sustainability is one of our core focus areas. We’ve implemented several initiatives across paper usage, water conservation, renewable energy, and waste management.
1. Reducing Paper Waste & Recycling
Educational institutions consume a lot of paper — for exams, assignments, administrative work, etc. Here’s how we’ve addressed that:
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Paper Storage & Recycling:
We store student examination papers for 3 to 5 years as per regulation. Earlier, this used to end up with local scrap dealers. Now, we’ve partnered with ITC’s recycling initiative — we hand over old papers to them, and instead of cash, we receive fresh white paper bundles in return. -
Use of Recycled Paper (Rescript):
We’re also working with Rescript, a Bangalore-based firm that produces recycled paper. After a successful trial to ensure compatibility with our copiers and printers, we’ve adopted their paper for regular use. -
Duplex Printing:
For internal documents, we mandate double-sided printing to optimize paper usage. -
Paper Consumption Stats:
On average, we use 100 bundles of paper per quarter, which amounts to 40 cartons per year. These numbers are gradually reducing due to our digital shift.
2. Water Conservation through RO Wastewater Reuse
RO water purification systems typically waste 60–70% of the water. We measured that nearly 700 liters of water were being wasted daily.
To tackle this:
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We’ve redirected the wastewater from our RO systems to be reused in restrooms and washrooms, drastically cutting down water wastage.
3. Tree Plantation Initiative
We’ve partnered with the Council for Green Revolution with a vision: One Student, One Tree.
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With over 3,000 students, this initiative has enabled us to plant 3,000 saplings a year — creating awareness and promoting eco-conscious responsibility among students.
4. Promoting Renewable Energy
We’ve installed a 500 kV solar power system on campus.
This not only reduces our dependency on conventional electricity but also serves as an example for students on adopting clean energy sources.
5. Creating a Culture of Sustainability
- Student Awareness Campaigns: Students are encouraged to conserve electricity and water. We reward proactive behavior, like switching off lights and fans when rooms are unoccupied.
- Employee Involvement: Our support staff are trained to ensure power and water conservation post-class hours — lights, fans, and other equipment are turned off promptly.
Q: What inspired these initiatives?
A mix of institutional values and external motivation. While regulatory authorities increasingly encourage sustainability, I personally believe — as a responsible academic and citizen — that saving our planet is a shared duty. These initiatives are a blend of personal commitment and organizational encouragement.
Q: What’s next in your green journey?
Our next big goal is to become a paperless institution.
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We’ve already digitized admissions, salary processing, and leave applications.
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Next in line are attendance systems, internal communications, and exam evaluations — all moving online to drastically reduce paper usage.
About the Interviewee
- Dr. B. Mohan Kumar is the Principal of Badruka College of Commerce & Arts. He holds a Ph.D. in Consumer Behavior from Osmania University and specializes in Marketing.