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Hans India
12-07-2025
- Science
- Hans India
‘Tag a Tree' initiative promotes eco-awareness
Tirupati: Pradeep VennelakantiIna unique blend of environmental awareness and digital innovation, the Regional Science Centre (RSC) in Tirupati has recently launched an interactive initiative titled 'Tag a Tree', aiming to educate the public about tree biodiversity while promoting conservation through technology. Nestled at the foothills of the Seshachalam range, the Centre's sprawling green campus is home to over 2,500 trees, featuring a rich mix of native Eastern Ghats flora and exotic species from across the globe. From the towering Royal Palm and Fishtail Palm to culturally significant species like the Silk Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba), Gulmohar, Yellow Flame Tree, mango, and cashew, the campus offers a living encyclopaedia of trees. Medicinal and ethnobotanical plants also make up a significant part of this verdant collection. The Centre's new programme transforms each of these trees into a source of ecological knowledge. Under the initiative, every tree is tagged with a unique QR code. When scanned with a smartphone, it reveals detailed information including the tree's scientific and local names, native habitat, physical features, traditional uses, and ecological significance. High-resolution images accompany the data, enriching the learning experience. RSC education officer Dr N T Purushothama, who conceived the idea told The Hans India that Each scan is a step closer to understanding how trees are not just part of the landscape but are vital to our ecosystem, culture, and health. 'This is more than just naming trees but it is about telling their stories. Some trees have medicinal value, others are woven into folklore, and many are critical for biodiversity. With a simple scan, visitors get a holistic understanding,' he explained. The tree-tagging concept goes beyond being a digital novelty. It is a core part of the Centre's educational outreach, especially designed for school groups and environmental education programmes. According to officials, the initiative simplifies complex ecological concepts and makes scientific knowledge more engaging and accessible to students and the public. The project is also designed as a scalable model. Officials believe that the success of 'Tag a Tree' in Tirupati could serve as a blueprint for botanical gardens, public parks, and educational campuses across India. Integrating QR technology with environmental education, it holds the potential to revolutionise how people engage with urban greenery. Importantly, the initiative has a strong conservation message. Beyond delivering facts, it aims to inspire responsibility and stewardship. By learning the value of each tree, visitors are nudged towards adopting eco-friendly practices and supporting biodiversity preservation. The education officer said that RSC extends an open invitation to students, families, and nature lovers to explore its green campus and take part in this interactive experience.
The Print
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Print
Odisha: Breakthrough of final tunnel on Khurda Road-Balangir rail line achieved
Tunnel No 2 (T2), with a length of 1,775 metres with a 2-degree curve, has been constructed in a new technological method called New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), the statement said. The breakthrough, or 'daylighting', was successfully achieved on Friday, marking the completion of excavation work across all seven planned tunnels in this strategic railway corridor, it said. Bhubaneswar, Jun 1 (PTI) The Khurda Road-Balangir new rail line project achieved a major milestone with the successful breakthrough of the final tunnel located between Buguda and Daspalla in Odisha's Nayagarh district, the East Coast Railway said in a statement. The ECoR said that T2 is the second-longest tunnel in Nayagarh district. It was constructed using advanced technology and tunnelling methods to overcome the challenging Eastern Ghats, setting a new benchmark in infrastructure execution for Indian Railways. With the completion of T2, the breakthrough of all seven tunnels in the 75-km stretch between Daspalla and Purunakatak has now been achieved, it said. The total length of all seven tunnels is 12.76 km, of which three tunnels are located in Nayagarh district and the remaining four in Boudh district. Construction of these tunnels involved tackling multiple complex challenges including highly variable soil and rock conditions and passing through wild zones, the statement added. The new railway line project spans 301 km and significant portions of the project — Khurda Road to Daspalla (106 km) and Balangir to Purunakatak (120 km) have been completed while the remaining stretch of 75 km from Purunakatak to Adhenigarh is under progress, it said. Completion of the final segment will establish seamless railway connectivity between eastern and western Odisha, bringing extensive benefits to both passenger and freight traffic. Once fully operational, the railway line will reduce travel time between Bhubaneswar and Balangir, improve access to education, healthcare, and markets, stimulate trade and regional development, and support freight movement across Odisha and beyond, the statement added. PTI BBM BBM ACD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
