Community-Based Sustainability Initiative Promotes Green Skills, Environmental Awareness and SHG Livelihoods
Sri Vijaya Puram, May 13: The Wipro Earthian Sustainability Skill Centre was formally inaugurated at Ward No. 8, Buniyadabad, Sri Vijaya Puram, under the Community Initiative of Wipro Earthian 2025–26, funded by the Wipro Foundation, Bengaluru, and implemented by the C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC), Chennai & ANI, in collaboration with the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC).
The newly established centre has been developed as a community-based sustainability hub to promote environmental awareness, green skills, climate-resilient practices, and eco-friendly livelihood opportunities for SHGs, women, youth, school students, sanitation workers, and the wider community.
The Sustainability Skill Centre is an eco-friendly demonstration and training facility developed using locally suitable sustainable materials and concepts. The centre includes a Bamboo Chattai-based Eco-friendly Structure, Solar Power Demonstration Unit, Rainwater Harvesting & Groundwater Recharge System, Composting & Vermicomposting Demonstration Shed, Kitchen Gardening & Nursery Raising Demonstration Area, educational display panels on environmental themes, and SHG-led eco-product display and sales point. The centre represents a model of sustainable community infrastructure integrating environmental conservation with livelihood enhancement.
Educational and awareness panels installed at the centre focus on important environmental themes such as waste segregation, composting and vermicomposting, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, climate change awareness, rooftop cultivation, coral reef protection, mangrove conservation, plastic-free living, preventive health and sanitation awareness, and carbon-positive community initiatives. These awareness facilities are expected to support continuous environmental education and behavioural change among the community.
The centre will also conduct practical and hands-on training programmes for SHGs, women, youth, and community members in areas such as banana leaf food packaging, bamboo craft and eco-products, coconut shell craft making, composting and waste management, waste segregation techniques, nursery raising and kitchen gardening, eco-friendly product development, and sustainable community livelihood activities.
The programme was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Shri. Avinash Kumar Singh, Superintending Engineer, SVPMC, in the presence of Mrs. Laxmi Ganeshan, Ward Councillor, Ward No. 8, Shri. Ganeshan, Ex-Chairperson, SVPMC, officials and guests.
Welcoming the gathering, Shri. A. Gopal, Project Officer, CPREEC, ANI explained the objectives and significance of the Wipro Earthian Sustainability Skill Centre and highlighted the various eco-friendly components established at the centre.
The programme concluded with a formal Vote of Thanks proposed by Shri. Vijaya Kumar, Senior Sanitary Inspector, SVPMC, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, dignitaries, Wipro Foundation, CPREEC, SVPMC officials, SHG members, NGOs, teachers, sanitary workers, and all participants for their support and participation in making the programme successful.
The Wipro Earthian Sustainability Skill Centre is expected to serve as a model community sustainability hub in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands by promoting environmental education, green skills, eco-friendly livelihoods, waste reduction practices, and climate action initiatives among the community.