The document discusses the ecosystem at IIT Madras campus including blackbucks, spotted deers, monkeys, ants, and banyan trees that contribute to biodiversity. It also describes features like Gajendra Circle for traffic management, an open air theatre for cultural events, use of solar energy, and mess facilities outside hostels.
The document discusses the ecosystem at IIT Madras campus including blackbucks, spotted deers, monkeys, ants, and banyan trees that contribute to biodiversity. It also describes features like Gajendra Circle for traffic management, an open air theatre for cultural events, use of solar energy, and mess facilities outside hostels.
The document discusses the ecosystem at IIT Madras campus including blackbucks, spotted deers, monkeys, ants, and banyan trees that contribute to biodiversity. It also describes features like Gajendra Circle for traffic management, an open air theatre for cultural events, use of solar energy, and mess facilities outside hostels.
The document discusses the ecosystem at IIT Madras campus including blackbucks, spotted deers, monkeys, ants, and banyan trees that contribute to biodiversity. It also describes features like Gajendra Circle for traffic management, an open air theatre for cultural events, use of solar energy, and mess facilities outside hostels.
1) a) Blackbucks and Spotted Deers: At IIT Madras, blackbucks and spotted deers graze, moderating plant growth and promoting variety. They might spread seeds, enhancing the diversity of the environment. Even in the absence of predators, they were the potential prey when dogs existed, keeping the ecosystem in balance. Their elegant presence adds value to the campus and imparts knowledge. They even participate by organically enriching the soil with their animal waste, which furthers the purpose of grassland preservation.
b) Monkeys: The Bonnet Macaques or the ‘Bandar’ are a major nuisance to
the people living in IIT Madras, as they are notorious for attacking troops of 20-30 to steal and snatch food items and other things in the Campus. They are majorly active during the daytime, usually causing havoc in the campus for food and water, by breaking into Dustbins and Water taps. They are beneficial to the Campus’ ecosystem as they promote seed dispersal, and they also help in reducing the problem of waste food disposal, where the food wasted in messes is fed to them, in return for blessings. (Since in Hindu Cultures, Monkeys are considered as the form of Lord ‘Hanuman’).
c) Ants: Ants play a crucial role in soil aeration, breakdown
of organic matter, and seed dispersion. Their behavior inspires biomimicry and imparts important lessons that humans can apply to solve real-world issues including efficient transportation and movement of food and other supplies, eco-friendly architecture found in their habitats, and effective waste disposal.
d) Banyan Trees: IIT Madras' banyan trees enhance the campus' beauty by fostering biodiversity, enhancing air quality, halting soil erosion, and controlling temperature. In addition to providing aesthetic value, spots for recreation, and animal habitat, they are essential from a historical, cultural, and educational standpoint as they support a healthy and dynamic campus ecology. 2) a) Gajendra Circle: The Gajendra Circle efficiently manages traffic at intersections by promoting a continuous and low-speed flow of vehicles. It reduces traffic congestion, enhances safety with fewer fatal collisions, and improves overall efficiency. The circular design reduces the urge for stops, providing a much smoother and sustainable traffic control solution.
b) Open Air Theatre: By serving as a space outside for films, performances,
and other cultural events, the Open Air Theatre effectively connects art and nature. Its design is inspired by Natural amphitheaters, which are geological structures defined by a semi-circular or circular arrangement cut into a hillside or generated by nature. The immersive experience improves cultural appreciation and natural engagement while reducing the need for internal ventilation systems.
c) Dependency on Solar Energy: IIT Madras relies on power generation for
daily usage by installing solar panels on rooftops of its buildings, like in Hostels and Departmental Buildings, to capture solar energy. Solar street lighting reduces reliance on conventional energy sources, while solar water heating systems meet the requirement for hot water. In addition, our institute conducts research on improving solar energy technology.
d) Mess Facilities: In IIT Madras, the Mess Facilities are provided outside the Hostels in Different Buildings (Himalaya, Nilgiri, Vindhyas). This allows for keeping the mess area monkey-proof, which can’t be kept inside the Hostel. Separate Buildings provide different Caterers and a variety of menu options to the students based on their likings and preferences and this also creates sufficient competition amongst these caterers to maintain certain standards in the services provided. All of this, provided with the feedback given to the Mess Committee, leads to the provision of good quality food at IIT Madras for the Hostel Students.
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