1 Page Prelude by the Principal he Industrial Revolution has ushered an era of fast paced development and rampant advancement in modern technology. But with the advent of modern engineering marvels it T has also ushered in challenges for the environment. On a daily basis at least, we come across various instances in television and newspapers that highlight environmental problems like pollution: air, water and soil, of waste management, resource depletion and many more whose consequences are being faced by humans and animals alike. Today, we stand at a critical point where the question to be pondered upon is- What is the challenge, really? Development as an Environment challenge? Or Environment as a Development challenge? The time has come upon for world leaders and innovators to strike a balance between development and conservation. We need awareness and actions not only from governments but also from the youth to sensitize the masses about the catastrophe our planet earth faces in modern times. And so with this idea and the motto “Engineers with a mission towards a sustainable environment”, REEF was formed on 25th January, 2012. RCOEM’s environment club REEF, is one of the initiatives taken up by the college to contribute towards the society with awareness activities, community service and involvement in conservation assignments. It is one of the few engineering colleges in Central India to take up such a role. 4 years since the formation of REEF, it has come a long way to increase its reach among the people, both online and offline. Regionally, REEF has risen to a commendable position in Nagpur where it is recognized by environmental groups, NGOs and experts widely for pursuing their objectives through the activities that it conducts. This annual report documents the efforts by REEFians undertaken in the past academic session. Dr R. S. Pande Principal 2 RCOEM Page CONTENTS . Green Ambassadors of REEF….4 . Waterfowl Census….21 . REEF’s 4th Annual Installation . 27th Vidarbha Ceremony….6 Pakshimitra Sammelan, . Recruitment and Orientation Washim….22 Session….7 . Seminar @India Peace . Objective #1: To create Center, Nagpur….23 awareness and take up various . 10th Annual Nagpur Bird activities for the conservation of Race, 2016….23 various aspects of the . GBBC (Great Backyard environment….8 Bird Count) 2016….24 Global Tiger’s Day 2015….8 . Bird Watching and Street Play “Ab toh Maan Awareness Session with Ja…Jaanleva ha Manjha!”….10 CPS Dhabha Street Play Competition – Students….24 JAAGAR….11 . Home Study Course in Manjha Removal….12 Ornithology….25 Earth Hour Exhibition….13 All General Meeting (AGM)….25 Waste Paper Management….14 Domain: Herbarium….26 Educational Trips . Pench Tiger Reserve – Domain: Social Outreach….27 Trip #1….15 . Car Free Day….28 . Pench Tiger Reserve – . Objective #2: To establish active Trip #2….15 association with various . Pench Tiger Reserve – organizations working for Trip #3….15 environmental conservation….29 . Satpuda National Park . Objective #3: To take up various and Tiger Reserve….16 activities for underprivileged children and in the process Domain: Articles….17 initiate and ingrain the value of . REEF Idea Session….18 environmental conservation….30 . #REEF_StoryThon….18 Domain: Community Domain: Birding….19 Service….30 . Open Air Exhibition on “Avifauna of . Objective #4: To encourage the RCOEM”….20 development and execution of . Wildlife Week by Forest ideas on role of technology for Department – Ambazari protection of environment….32 Bird Race….21 Wireless Camera Trap….32 3 Page GREEN AMBASSADORS of REEF Mentor Faculty and Founder: Vatsalya Mathur (EC, 2013) Hamza Shakir (EC, 2013) Dr.Deepshikha Mehra Karishma Manwani (EE, 2013) (Asst. Prof., Dept of Humanities) Supriya Kawadkar (EC,2014) Pratik Gupta (EN, 2015) Gold Core: Secretaries (2015-2016): rd th Rohan Dekate (3 Year, Mech) Vishakha Jaiswal (4 Year, EN) th rd Vishakha Jaiswal (4 Year, EN) Rohan Dekate (3 Year, Mech) Aditya Somani (4th Year, EN) Radhika Kale (4th Year, EN) REEF Alumni: Apurva Bhiwapurkar (4th Year, EC) Omkar Kekre (3rd Year, EN) Pranjal Chaturvedi (CIV, 2012) Sarang Puri (IND, 2012) Silver Core: Vinay Chawla (IT, 2012) 4 Apoorv Munshi (IT, 2012) rd Harjot Singh Kahai (3 Year,Civil) Page Rohit Hazare (2nd Year, EC) Monali Daburkar (2nd Year, EN) Srushti Mehatkar (2nd Year, EC) Shubhalaxmi Joshi (2nd Year, EC) Utkarsh Singhai (2nd Year, Mech) REEFians Aditya Khedkar (1st Year, EDT) Ashish Chandan (4th Year, EE) Anshul Sanghi (1st Year, EC) Bhagyashree Girhe (3rd Year, EC) Atharva Mangrulkar (1st Year, IT) Madhulika Dolke (3rd Year, EC) Daniyah Ammarah (1st Year, CSE) Mayank Bagadia (3rd Year, Ind) Gauri Chandak (1st Year, CSE) Nilu Pandey (3rd Year, CSE) Himanshu Gunde (1st Year, EDT) Raksha Mahajan (3rd Year, EN) Nidhi Khadka (1st Year, EN) Shivani Virulkar (3rd Year, EN) Nihal Reddy (1st Year, EC) Sneha Wilson (3rd Year, EC) Ojaswara Pathak (1st Year, EN) Sonal Jaiswal (3rd Year, EN) Pratyaksha Jha (1st Year, EC) Sonal Pande (3rd Year, EN) Purvashree Waldey (1st Year, EDT) Vaishnavi Thakare (3rd Year, EN) Rishika Agrawal (1st Year, EN) S Smita Sreeram (1st Year,EN) Akashdeep Singh Bhatia (2nd Year, EE) Saket Dharmik (1st Year, Mech) Jayati Shukla (2nd Year, EC) Udayann Dayaanand (1st Year, Civil) Mayuri Kotian (2nd Year, IT) 5 Page Green Ambassadors of REEF at REEF’s fourth Installation Ceremony REEF’s 4th Annual Installation Ceremony On 25th February 2016 REEF‟s 4th badges were presented to them. Lifetime installation ceremony was conducted in awards to the active alumni of REEF along EN auditorium. The occasion was graced with long serving REEFians and special by Dr. Rohan Chakravarty, an awards to the most promising REEFians environment cartoonist by profession; Dr were also given. A presentation on REEF‟s S.D. Mohgaonkar (Dean - Second Shift); Annual Report was then given by Rohan Dr. V.H. Asudani, HOD, Humanities Dept; Dekate and Nilu Pandey. It was followed REEF‟s Mentor Faculty – Dr. Deepshikha by an informal presentation by Aaditya Mehra, parents, teachers, and students. Somani and Nihal Reddy on aspects like how REEF has helped to develop the skills and personality of REEF members to become better human beings and more environmentally conscious individuals and how in small ways each one of us can create a difference. Parents also shared how REEF has brought change in their children‟s lives. The traditional lamp lighting by the Chief Guest Dr. Rohan Chakravarty The ceremony began with the lighting of the traditional lamp and sapling plantation by the Chief Guest. Dr. Deepshikha Mehra then introduced the new gold core and 6 silver core members. Certificates and REEFians performing Street Play “Ab toh maanja... Jaanlewa hai Manjha” Page The street play “Ab toh Manja, jaanlewa Refreshments were served and feedback hai manjha” was also performed for the was taken from parents on the event. parents and guests. As part of the concluding session, the Chief Guest Mr. Rohan Chakravarty gave a presentation on his cartoons that are a satire on the depleting condition of the environment and failed policies. He also spoke on the need for protecting and conserving environment. Dr. Chakravarty also encouraged REEFians to keep up the work they were doing. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Vishakha Jaiswal, Chief Guest Dr. Rohan, giving his feedback of the Coordinator of the installation. Monali Installation Ceremony Daburkar was the Co-coordinator. Recruitment and Orientation Session REEFlings) were introduced to REEF‟s objectives, achievements, and expectations from new members and as well as the functioning of the domains. (From right) REEFians Radhika Kale, Aaditya Somani, Rohit Hazare and Shivam Agrawal interviewing a candidate during the Recruitment Drive Recruitment drive was conducted in the st campus. Interviews were taken on 21 , REEF Mentor Faculty Dr. Deepshikha Mehra nd th 22 and 28 August 2015.REEF received introducing REEF to newly recruited members 239 applications out of which51 candidates after the nature trail were selected. The interviews involved certain tasks and activities that the interviewees had to complete like Photoshop, literary assignments as well as knowledge of environment. This was followed by an orientation session in Gorewada Biodiversity Park 7 where the new members (called as Page Objective #1 To create awareness and take up various activities for the conservation of various aspects of the environment Global Tiger’s Day 2015 (From left) Prof. V.H. Asudani, Dr. R.S. Pande, Mr. Vinit Arora and Dr. Deepshikha Mehra during the final presentation of the research competition - “How Green is Your Campus” Every year, REEF celebrates Global approached in the month of June 2015 and Tiger‟s Day (GTD) as a week-long event. given the rules for participating in the This year, REEF went one step ahead and competition. The schools had to form an focused on awareness about tiger environment club and undertake tasks in conservation among school kids. REEF three segments of the competition, namely conducted a research competition “How - “Know Your Campus”, “Tiger’s Tale”, Green is your Campus?” in which six and “The Green Idea”. They had to then schools participated, namely Bharti present the findings of their research/task Krishna Vidya Vihar (B.K.V.V.), Centre on 29th July on RCOEM campus. The final Point School, Dhaba (C.P.S.), Mount presentation was judged by Mr. Vinit Carmel, Bhavans (Ashti), R.S. Mundle, Arora (a well-known wildlifer and wildlife and T.B.R.A.N’s Mundle. Omkar Kekre photographer) and Dr. Deepshikha Mehra. and Rohit Hazare were Co-ordinators of this activity. nd th From 22 to 30 July REEF conducted various activities inside and outside the 8 college campus. The schools were Page butterflies and various aspects of nature were observed and discussed. School children taking pledge during the final presentation of the competition Mr.