BASF to launch water education initiative in Mangalore

BASF to launch water education initiative in Mangalore

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 10: Mr. K. V. Rao, a BASF representative, announced that BASF will partner with UN-HABITAT to launch a new project to promote water education in Mangalore, adding that the project will be funded by BASF Social Foundation with contributions from UN-HABITAT. The purpose is to promote water education in schools and enhance water quality monitoring in Mangalore, he added. He was addressing reporters at a press conference held at Hotel Ocean Pearl on May 10, Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revealing further details, he said that The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) will implement the project over the next two years. The water education project will target 5000 students from 25 schools in Mangalore and safe drinking water will be provided to students as well as communities in the vicinity of these schools.

Eight of the selected schools will get water laboratories so that water quality monitoring can be taught and 2 schools will get water classrooms where students will be educated on the water cycle and methods to conserve water. Specially trained teachers will guide students to conduct field analyses for the benefit of communities living in the vicinity of the school. A water quality map of Mangalore will be displayed at strategic locations all over Mangalore and water test results will be submitted to authorities concerned for follow up if required. 

 

 

 

 

 

As part of its observance of the International Year of Chemistry 2011, BASF intends to enhance awareness on how chemistry helps solve the most complex issues in the world. In this regard, BASF has introduced water experiments under the theme “water loves chemistry” as part of the BASF Kid’s Lab, its signature programme.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that the company’s contributions toward social welfare and education must be appreciated. Stating that he is not against development and industries, he said that development should not be done at the cost of nature and the environment. He urged the company to provide public sanitation and clean drinking water in rural areas as well.

Prasad Chandran, the chairman and managing director of BASF India Ltd.; Dr. Hartmut Unger, the head of BASF Social Foundation; Andre Dzikus, the chief of water and sanitation section II in WSID; and Pronob Dasgupta, the senior advisor and director of TERI, signed a statement of purpose to show their commitment to the objectives of the purpose and presented it to Mayor Praveen Anchan.

Abhayachandra Jain, the MLA of Moodubidri; Dr. K. N. Vijayaprakash, the MCC Commissioner, and others were also present.