THE JOURNEY OF MY GREEN BALCONY:(A PERSONAL GREEN SPACE INITIATIVE)

Blog No. 2425/PI - Written by - 

Akansha Yadav

CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF HARAYANA

INTRODUCTION

This report presents the development, maintenance and need of a green Balcony at my hostel room Balcony- A personal initiative to bring nature closer to my room and attract biodiversity. Located in a small space this balcony has been turned into a peaceful and eco- friendly corner of my room consisting of various useful plants but still with less variety due to the climatic conditions. This concept was initially introduced as a mandatory hostel rule, but little did I know those small mud pots would plant something even bigger in me: peace, patience and importantly a small but creative step towards sustainability. In context of increasing urbanisation and environmental degradation such small sustainable initiative are very important. Along with this, the report also explain one more sustainable step that is the concept of ECO- BRICK, I used in my

balcony targeting minimization and management of Plastic waste .

DESCRIPTION OF MY GREEN BALCONY:

My hostel Balcony located on the second floor of my hostel measuring approximately 6x8 feet, has been efficiently utilized to make a green corner consisting of a variety of plant species attracting a large variety of birds and insects. This small and meaningful step was started due to a creative proposal proposed by my hostel warden mam, that later was an mandatory action for all hostel residents. This all started by just 2 pots which I brought from my university Herbal garden which were a Alovera and a cactus plant, but with time and care today after a year, the space has evolved into a lush and beautiful garden with almost 11 pots containing beautiful flowers. I have used clay pots and some cups also a few plastic bottles as planters supporting my creative and green place. As my balcony is facing the forest region of university it receives bright sunlight morning, which is ideal for most of the plants. But as the weather in summers is worst in my university as it is located in Mahendargh district of Haryana which is very close to Rajasthan and the temperature is very high that is not ideal for my plants, so I have to shift them inside my room before leaving for department. The plants in my balcony are all which are suitable to the climatic conditions nearly xerophytic but not completely. But during the monsoon season my balcony get a refreshing look with the gentle breeze in evening. I often sit and spend over 2/3 hours in my Balcony maintaining them and enjoying my peace.

TYPES OF PLANTS IN MY BALCONY

MEDICINAL PLANTS-

1. TULSI: excellent for air purification and immunity.

2. ALO VERA: use for treating skin diseases and other medicinal puposes.

3. MINT: This has a wonderful smell also I used in making various drinks for treating my headache

FLOWERING PLANTS

1. PETUNIA: seasonal and vibrant plant.

2. ROSES: Grow well in pot

3. MARIGOL: heat- tolerant plant with beautiful flowers

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

1. MONEY PLANTS: excellent indoor climber

2. SNAKE PLANTS: need less water to grow

3. PERIWINKLE: add colours to my balcony

4. JADE PLANT: perfect for dry weather

DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS

1. CACTUS PLANT

ECO BRICK: ( A NEW TRANSFORMATION IN MY BALCONY)

This was a completely new concept to Balcony and me, which I got to know 2 months back through a 3-day workshop named PARYAVARAN SANRAKSHSN GATIVIDHI (PSG), a wonderful and insightful workshop.

ECO BRICK: An eco brick is a plastic bottle packed tightly with small pieces of plastic waste eg, Wrappers and dry plastic waste. Transforming plastic waste into building blocks is a simple way to minimize and manage plastic waste. These bricks are lightweight and durable and can be used to construct garden furniture, raised beds, plant holders, benches, etc.

How I used the ECO BRICKS

Idea in my Balcony: I started collecting wrappers, packets of various food items from my roommates and friends, and started collecting them into small pieces, and started filling them into empty plastic bottles tightly, and this is how I created 8 eco bricks. I used these eco bricks for :

Partition purpose: I used 4 eco bricks around one plant pot and 4 eco bricks around another pot. This brought a beautiful and organised look to my balcony and also served as a partition for these plants. This also made it easy for me to clean and maintain the balcony. I am also planning to create more Eco bricks, so that I can construct a plant bed or stand so that I can keep all plants on it.

CHALLENGES AND EXPENSES OF MY GREEN BALCONY:

My green Balcony was not very expensive, but it cost me around Rs.. 1,350 As only 11 mud pots, along with plants from a nearby nursery, cost me around as follows:

1. MINT PLANT Rs. 50

2. Rose plant Rs.200

3. Petunia plant Rs.150

4. Marigold Rs.80

5. Money plant Rs.150

6. Snake plant Rs. 280

7. Periwinkle plant Rs.80

8. Jade plant Rs. 200

9. Tulsi plant Rs. 60

10. Alo vera plant Rs.50

11. Cactus plant Rs. 50

I brought Aloe vera and cactus plants from the Herbal garden of the university, so they were less expensive. Everything was proper for my plants adequate amount of sunlight and water. I just faced one challenge that was the high intensity of heat during the summers, which may damage my plants. To overcome this, I used to shift my plants into my room before going to the department to protect them from direct.

CHANGES OBSERVED AFTER ESTABLISHING GREEN BALCONY:

Before establishing my green balcony, when got my hostel room, that is room no 234, I got a plain dusty balcony with dullness and lacking vibrancy. There was no real purpose of that balcony except drying clothes. It was a space for spending time but still lacked peace somewhere.

Changes I observed, After establishing my green balcony, the major and important thing I noticed was the Home sparrow that was lost somewhere. The easily noticed bird was now no longer easily noticed but after some time I noticed them coming in my green balcony; insects were also present in it. Plants like mint, rose, marigold, Tulsi bring colour and fragrance. Started feeling fresh air and the balcony brought beauty and peace to my room, also connected all my roommates and me to nature