BAJAJ CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (BCSD)

Planning for the construction of Bajaj Centre for Sustainable Development (BCSD) began in 2006. The centre was completed in 2011 and has been a very positive addition to NARI. The centre is the venue for educational seminars on sustainable development, spirituality and the various areas of research in which NARI is involved.

At NARI, we believe that the key to rural development is through the application of modern technology and research. Sophisticated technology is needed to efficiently convert scarcely available resources and materials into useful products. It is also our belief that nothing should be wasted and that a scientific approach is required that is holistic. We also believe that the corporate sector can play an important and active role in rural development. Thus there should be a partnership between corporate sector, NGOs, local residents and government in this area. For this to happen there is a need to sensitize the corporate, governmental, scientific and educational institutions, here and abroad, as well as the civil society regarding rural problems and possible solutions. We need to explore the problems together, and most importantly, the solutions. This theme will be stressed in the workshops, seminars and courses that are conducted at the centre and will help in exposing the participants to the problems of rural India.

The centre has features to minimize its environmental running costs. Thus very innovative features like rainwater harvesting, use of 0.75 kW PV powered solar system to pump the water from the rainwater harvesting tank to overhead 5000 litres tank; use of 1750 litres solar water heating system for the guest accommodation (back-up is provided by a wood fired boiler), evaporative roof cooling for summer months (powered by solar pump) and natural lighting and ventilation have been incorporated in the building. A covered veranda together with an open courtyard of 350 m² area gives a pleasant ambience to the centre. All the kitchen waste goes to the composting pit which together with agricultural residues provides fertilizer to the NARI farms. The waste water from the facility after passing through the septic tank goes into nearby fields for irrigation. Thus most of things are recycled. The whole building is user friendly for physically challenged persons.