MANGALORE: BASF in partnership with UN-HABITAT announced a new project to promote water education in Mangalore today. Funded by BASF Social Foundation with counter part contribution by UN-HABITAT, the project aims to promote water education in schools and improve water quality monitoring in Mangalore. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) will implement the project over the next two years.
As a symbolic commitment to the project objectives, Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman & Managing Director, BASF India Limited and Head South Asia; Dr. Hartmut Unger, Head – BASF Social Foundation; Mr. Andre Dzikus, Chief – Water and Sanitation Section II, UN-HABITAT and Mr. Pronab Dasgupta, Senior Advisor and Director, TERI signed a statement of purpose and handed it over to Mr. Praveen, Mayor of Mangalore City Corporation.
The event held in Mangalore was attended by an eminent audience comprised of local political leaders, civic officials, key industry representatives, beneficiaries of the project and the people of Mangalore.
In his address, Mr. Prasad Chandran said, “BASF is committed to conducting business sustainably. We are also committed to choosing social projects that will have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate.
“Access to clean and safe drinking water is a challenge for a rapidly developing city like Mangalore. The water education project will have long-lasting effects on a large group of people,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Andre Dzikus emphasized the need to bring about behavioral change among young students regarding water use. With the help of values based formal and informal educational initiatives, students will learn about the importance of clean drinking water. As a part of science education, students will be able to analyze the physical and chemical aspects of water, as well as acquire skills on how to purify water.
The Water Education project will encompass 5000 students from 25 schools in Mangalore. Provision of access to safe drinking water will be provided to students in these schools as well as communities in the vicinity of these schools.
Out of the 25 schools, eight schools will be equipped with “water laboratories” to facilitate water quality monitoring and two schools will have “water classrooms” to educate students on water cycle and water conservation methods. Specially trained teachers will train students throughout the project duration. In addition, water quality testing kits will be provided to select schools for field analysis benefitting communities living around the schools. The water quality map of Mangalore will be displayed at strategic locations in the city and the water test results can be communicated to relevant authorities for follow-up action, if necessary.
BASF is also a global sponsor of the International Year of Chemistry 2011, a global initiative to create awareness and understanding about chemistry and its role in solving the world’s most complex issues. One of the goals of “International Year of Chemistry 2011” is raising awareness on water as a scarce natural resource and how chemistry plays a role in enhancing potable water supply. BASF has introduced water experiments under the theme “Water loves Chemistry” as part of its signature program, the BASF Kids’ Lab. Page 3
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year.
UN-HABITAT is the United Nations agency for Human Settlements mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable communities, towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all and sustainable development.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is a non-profit, policy research organization working in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development. It was established in 1974, with the purpose of tackling and dealing with the problems that mankind is likely to face in the future. Over the years the Institute has developed a wider interpretation of this core purpose and its application. Consequently, TERI has created an environment that is enabling, dynamic and inspiring for the development of solutions to global problems in the fields of energy, environment and current patterns of development, which are largely unsustainable.
