On the occasion of Earth Day 2025 (which is on 22^nd April 2025) , the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development through impactful research, innovative technology deployment, and inclusive community engagement. At the heart of these efforts is the Center for Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Development (CETSD)—a strategic interdisciplinary hub addressing sustainability in the unique and ecologically sensitive Thar region.

Mentored by Director IITJ, Prof. Avinash K Agarwal, Led by Prof. Meenu Chhabra currently, the CETSD integrates cutting-edge science and engineering with social responsibility to address pressing challenges in water security, clean energy, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. The center operates in alignment with IIT Jodhpur’s Sustainability Policy and Climate Action Strategy 2021–2026, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 while enabling local solutions with global impact.

Flagship Projects Driving Sustainability at IIT Jodhpur Water Security: Implementation of UF membrane-assisted, sorption-based water purification systems in rural Rajasthan schools; development and deployment of the indigenous G-Filter, a low-cost gravity-based ceramic filter for removing arsenic and fluoride.Sustainable Irrigation: Field deployment of Subsurface Porous Vessel (SSPV) technology for desert agriculture—demonstrating improved water-use efficiency and crop productivity.Carbon Management and Renewable Energy: The campus employs CO₂ capture using microalgae, solar infrastructure, and canal-based hydropower irrigation models to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. IIT Jodhpur aims to make all new constructions net-positive in energy and material use by 2050.Flora and Fauna Conservation: The institute has launched biodiversity mapping through its Prakriti 1.1 App, and created constructed wetlands and shaded corridors to protect native species and foster green land use.Zero-Waste Campus: Initiatives include Khamba Composters, organic mincing machines, and smart waste segregation systems, ensuring minimal environmental footprint.Hosted by CETSD IITJ, as Regional Unnat Bharat Coordinating Institute where activities led by Dr. Vivek Vijay involves executing sustainability initiatives in rural and suburban regions of Rajasthan.

The institute's initiatives reflect a micro-regional approach to solving global climate challenges—especially in arid and semi-arid environments—and foster adaptation, awareness, and action.

Faculty Leading the Green Transition Dr. Chandana N: Wastewater treatment, Environmental Impact Assessment, Life Cycle Analysis, Solid Waste and Faecal Sludge Management. Dr. Kirti Sankhala: Hollow Fiber Membrane Technology, Water Purification, Electron Microscopy. Dr. Shreya Banerjee: Sustainable Urban Planning, Heat Mitigation, Nature-Based Solutions for Low-Income Communities. Dr. Rajyalakshmi Garaga: Pollution & Public Health Nexus: Air Pollution & Climate Change, Advanced Air Quality Modeling, Sustainable Pollution Mitigation. Dr. Anugya Shukla: Geospatial Sciences, Urban Climate Mapping, GIS for Sustainability

CETSD also offers academic programs like M.S. by Research in Sustainability and Technology, and a PhD program addressing cross-cutting issues of environmental engineering, public health, and circular economies. Training programs for government officers, municipal bodies, and NGOs are regularly conducted to disseminate sustainable practices across the Thar region.

As a registered member of the UN Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), IIT Jodhpur serves as a living laboratory for environmental responsibility, where academic excellence meets real-world impact. Through CETSD and its ecosystem of innovators, students, and faculty, the institute continues to lead from the front in building a climate-resilient, ecologically conscious India.

 

00000

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2123225) आगंतुक पटल : 338