Maintain and Extend Current Ecosystems’ Biodiversity

Maintain and Extend Current Ecosystems’ Biodiversity

PLANT BIODIVERSITY

Based on the survey conducted on the Centurion University campus as of December 2023, a comprehensive assessment of the diverse ecosystem has been undertaken, recording a total of 2795 forest trees, plantation trees, and horticultural species, encompassing 39 woody tree species from 20 families. Notably, the Teak tree, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, emerged as the most abundant species, with 936 individuals, followed by the Mango tree from the Anacardiaceae family, with 588 individuals. Additionally, 610 species of plants including trees, medicinal plants, grasses and bryophytes are found in its Paralakhemundi campus.

List of forest trees in the University:

List of tree species in paralakhemundi campus

List of medicinal plants in the Paralakhemundi campus:

Herbal garden

The Herbal garden consists of 35 herbal species and 55 medicinal tree species, which was established in M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University, Paralakhemundi. The garden has become a well-established demonstration centre for students, farmers and other institutes. The garden has been labelled with a QR code system of nomenclature, which provides complete details of the plant, including its medicinal value, plant botany, and growing practices. Medicinal plants were propagated and supplied to different institutes and government offices to set up Herbal gardens on their premises.  As of now, we have sold out 30 species of medicinal plants and have revenue about Rs 10000.

Orichadarium

Recently, the Orchidarium has been established in M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion Univeristy, Paralakhemundi comprising 5 species of orchid collected from different region of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Siliguri. The unit consists of 550 numbers of plants with an objective to grow, acclimatize, propagate and distribute plantlets to farmers and entrepreneurs of orchid in the region.

Commercial Horticulture Nursery

The Commercial Horticulture Nursery situated at M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University, Paralakhemundi over 2 acres having more than 200 plant species of ornamental, fruits, plantation, medicinal and vegetable seedlings shown in figure 11. It has well equipped polyhouse and shadenet house which has capacity of producing 10,000 plantlets in a month. The nursery has average revenue record of 5000 rupees worth plants monthly. Maximum, plants are consumed in the different campuses of the University

Insect biodiversity:

Insect data was collected in and around Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi (Odisha: India), with a mercury vapour lamp and sweep net. Hence, no specific permissions were required for any of the collection localities/activities. Specimens were processed by a series of steps like sorting, cleaning, and mounting.

List of insects found in Paralakhemundi campus:

MAMMALS AND INSECT BIODIVERSITY

There are 15 species of mammals are seen in the campus like Buffalo, cow, goat, dog,cat, rat, mouse, mole, rabbit, squirrels, porcupine, mongoose, guinea pig, pig bat.Reptiles: 11 species of reptiles are found in the campus like lizards, well gecko, skink, tortoise, snakes, common krait, banded krait, Indian sand boa, python, cobra, Indian rat snake.7 species of annelids and amphibians like earthworm, snails, slug, field frog, bullfrog, common toad are seen in the campus.

Birds species:

The diversity also includes the group of different bird species. There are 33 species of birds including, common crow, jungle crow, pigeon, Mynah, sparrow, Finches, swallow, swift, eagle, Kingfishers, jungle fowl, parrot, Kestrel, Cuckoo, Grey hornbill, Heron, Drongo, Warbler, Nighteagle, Owl, Wood pecker, Indian roller, Duck, snakebirds, goose, Pelican, Kite, Bee eater etc. are found. There are 8 species of Arthropods are found in the campus like Centepede, millipeds, crab, Plant/animal mites, spider, Indian red scorpion, black scorpion.

Bees and pollinators:

The investigation on bee and pollinators was carried out in the campus and 104 species of insects are also found including Lepidoptera (42 species), Coleoptera (15 species), Hemiptera (11), Hymenoptera (15), Odonata (9), Dictyoptera (3), Orthoptera (9 species). It supported an array of insects, the commonly occurring insects belonging to 24 species, 17 families under 8 Orders. Besides, many other butterflies, true flies, beetles and sucking insect made their stray visit to the crop at specific crop growth stages while pollinators occurred during flowering stages chiefly. Among the pollinators, family Apidae (72.7 per cent share) was the most dominant followed by all other three families i.e. Megachilidae, Vespidae and Halictidae (each contributing around 9.1%).

Centurion university renowned for its commitment to environmental conservation, there are 50 bee boxes strategically placed throughout the Paralakhemundi campus. Overall, the establishment of 50 bee boxes in Centurion represents a tangible effort towards promoting biodiversity, fostering a healthier environment, and cultivating a more sustainable future for both the community and the broader ecosystem.

Products from Apiculture:

Apis mellifera and Apis cerana are the only species commercially harvested for honey production. In addition to honey, beeswax plays a vital role in the hive. Collection  of beeswax for a variety of applications, including candle making, waterproofing, soap and cosmetics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and even art and furniture polish. At Centurion University, research on these products emphasizes their significance in both ecological and economic contexts, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in beekeeping and the various uses of honey and beeswax in our daily lives.

Butterfly garden:

Creating a butterfly garden is a fantastic way to support local ecosystems and provide a beautiful, educational, and relaxing space in the university. By involving students in the butterfly garden project, schools can contribute to achieving SDG 15 by fostering an understanding of ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, and encouraging sustainable practices. This engagement not only supports environmental goals but also inspires the next generation of environmental stewards

List of butterfly species in Butterfly garden:

Duck Culture project:

Centurion University is currently working on a Duck Culture project, which explores various aspects of duck species including Pekin ducks, Muscovy, Khaki Campbell, and Indian Runner Campbells. The study focuses on several key areas: first, we examine the morphological differences among these species; second, we analyze the unique swimming adaptations of ducks by comparing the structure of their feet. Additionally, we aim to identify distinguishing characteristics to differentiate between male and female ducks. We also investigate the communication patterns evident in duck vocalization and explore the foraging strategies employed by dabbling versus diving ducks. This comprehensive research aims to enhance our understanding of duck biology and behavior.

Aviary Unit:

Lovebird is the common name for the genus Agapornis, a small group of parrots in the old world parrot family Psittaculidae

Pearl oyster Culture:

Pinctada is a genus of saltwater oysters, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Pteriidae.These pearl oyster have a strong inner shell layer composed of nacre, also known as “mother of pearl”. The university has an initiative for the pearl oyster culture

Rabbit unit:

The American Rabbit was originally accepted into the ARBA as a ‘Blue’ rabbit, and historically has been characterized as having the deepest, darkest fur of all blue or grey rabbits. In the university, the rabbit is kept in a sophisticated environment that mimics its natural habitat, providing it with ample space, appropriate temperature control, and enrichment activities to promote its well-being and healthy behaviors.

Turtles in the Campus

This university has been breeding terrapins for a very long time. There were a total of 4 female terrapins. One of the females died a few months back due to some respiratory issues. Now the 3 males are being taken care of. They are being fed properly with appropriate feed pellets

Wastewater treatment:

The University is collecting the waste water into a pond where it is being treated biologically. We have adopted a scientific approach in order to treat the collected waste water. The approach is Phytoremediation.

Phytoremediation basically refers to the use of plants and associated soil microbes to reduce the concentrations or toxic effects of contaminants in the environment. Phytoremediation is widely accepted as a cost-effective environmental restoration technology.

Azolla and water Hyacinth are the two plants being used in the phytoremediation

Vermicomposting:

The implementation of cement tanks for composting reflects a robust approach to sustainable waste management. With a composting capacity of 40 tons, these tanks are designed to process a significant amount of organic waste, specifically cow dung and dried leaves, which together contribute 20 tons to the composting process.

The composting cycle is carefully managed over a period of six months, allowing for the natural decomposition of materials. During this time, the university engages students and staff in monitoring and maintaining optimal conditions within the tanks, such as moisture levels and aeration, to ensure efficient composting. This hands-on involvement fosters a deeper understanding of organic waste management and its benefits for soil health.

By utilizing locally sourced materials like cow dung and dried leaves, the university not only reduces waste but also produces high-quality compost that can be used in campus gardens and agricultural farms. This initiative not only supports the university’s green initiatives but also aligns with broader sustainability goals, contributing to enhanced biodiversity and improved land productivity. Through these efforts, Centurion University showcases its commitment to transforming waste into valuable resources while promoting environmental stewardship among its community.

Plant tissue culture unit:

Centre for Plant Tissue Culture and Vegetative Propagation at Centurion University of Technology and Management, Vizianagram, AP, aims at exclusive production of disease-free tissue cultured plants on a commercial scale. The centre is involved in usage of an effective technology that can be applied to in-vitro micro-propagation of commercially important plants and application of the same to small scale farmers as well as larger-scale plant propagation operations. The technology used in the centre allows propagators to preserve plant genetics, develop more vigorous plants and ultimately save money and increase revenue. Currently the centre is involved in the commercial production of Grand Naine banana along with several ornamental plants like Aglaonema, Alocasia, Banana (Siam Ruby) and several species of Philodendron. Moreover, the research centre focuses on plant molecular biology aspect with specialization in allele mining, research on horticultural crops like tomato, okra, cucurbits, sunflower, maize etc. for better quality and yield, genome-wide identification, and characterization of candidate gene-specific for conferring abiotic stress tolerance among crops like rice, finger millet, maize etc. The centre works on banana, pineapple, gerbera, bamboo etc., as commercially important crops. The centre also works on vegetative propagation of various ornamental plants, trees and commercially important crops. In addition to its groundbreaking research and commercial production, the centre is actively involved in training and internship programs for local college students in Vizianagaram and Vishakhapatnam.

Dragon fruit cultivation:

Dragon fruit cultivation at the university exemplifies sustainable land management practices by integrating ecological principles to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact. The program focuses on cultivating drought-resistant varieties, employing water-efficient agricultural techniques that conserve resources. Key steps in the cultivation process include preparing growing media with vermicompost, farmyard manure, soil, and burnt rice husk, which are mixed and filled into organized polybags. Bulk quantities of the ‘Gajapati Red’ variety and other cultivars are replanted in designated blocks, supported by a training system. Weeding, earthing up for stability, lime application for pH adjustment, and nutrient addition promote healthy growth. A bio-decomposer enhances soil health, while a drip irrigation system ensures optimal moisture, particularly crucial for plants in arid conditions.

Compost from dragon fruit skins:

The use of dragon fruit covers as compost exemplifies a commitment to biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. This initiative transforms waste into nutrient-rich compost, effectively reducing organic waste while enriching the soil with essential nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. The compost is utilized in organic farming practices across student research farms and units on campus. Additionally, it is sold to local farmers and distributed to various locations, further supporting sustainable agricultural efforts from the university.