Vachellia horrida: The Thorny Guardian of the Dry Landscape
Category: Greening Sanjeevi Hills Belonging to the legume family, Vachellia horrida (formerly known as Acacia horrida) is a thorny shrub or small tree. It is commonly found in the surroundings of Rajapalayam, especially in and around Sanjeevi Malai, where the dry and rocky landscape supports hardy vegetation. Vachellia horrida typically grows 3-8 meters tall and […]
Lesser Grass Blue: A Tiny Jewel of the Grasslands
Category: Carbon Neutrality This photograph of the Lesser Grass Blue butterfly was taken at the PACR Polytechnic compost yard. It is one of the smallest butterflies found in many parts of the world, with a wingspan of only 18-24 mm. Despite its tiny size, this delicate insect adds life and colour to everyday landscapes. It […]
Green Filtration: Using Canna indica to Purify Wastewater Naturally
Category: Water Body Restoration At the PACR Polytechnic composite yard, wastewater from our educational institutions is treated through a Decentralised Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS). It is a natural, low-energy method of treating wastewater close to its source using gravity flow, sedimentation, biological processes, and plant-based filtration. As part of this system, the DEWATS area includes […]
Kattimullu: A Resilient Spiny Shrub of the Dry Landscape
Category: Eco Park This photograph was taken at the Sanjeevi Malai Eco Park area. It shows Barleria buxifolia, a hardy native plant commonly known as Box-leaved Barleria. In Tamil, it is known as Kattimullu. Kattimullu is a spiny shrub or sub-shrub that usually grows about 1-3 feet tall. The plant has green, branched stems with […]
Duckweed – Tiny Plant, Powerful Green Manure
Category: Water Body Restoration Floating quietly on ponds and slow-moving waters, duckweed may appear insignificant at first glance. Yet this tiny plant is one of the most remarkable aquatic species in the natural world. Belonging to the family Lemnaceae, duckweed includes several small floating plants, the most common being Lemna minor, often called common duckweed. […]
Native Cattle: The Living Breath of Our Heritage
Category: Culture Native cattle possess qualities that make them remarkably resilient: high tolerance to heat, the ability to walk long distances, survival on minimal feed, strong resistance to diseases, and a long lifespan of about 15-20 years. These characteristics make them well suited to traditional and sustainable farming systems. One traditional practice closely linked with […]
From Sanjeevi Hills to Alathankulam: City’s Important Stormwater Corridor
Category: Greening Sanjeevi Hills This map highlights an important stormwater flow route in Rajapalayam, beginning in the Sanjeevi Hills and travelling over 2 kilometres before reaching its final collection point at Alathankulam. Like other traditional ‘odai’ systems in the town, this channel plays a crucial role in guiding seasonal rainwater safely through urban neighbourhoods. The […]
Preparation and Use of Effective Microorganisms Solution
Category: Greening Sanjeevi Hills Effective Microorganisms (EM) is a mixture of beneficial microbes widely used to accelerate composting and improve compost quality. When prepared correctly, EM solution enhances microbial activity, reduces odour, and supports healthier soil. We use the EM solution at the composting yard at PACR Polytechnic campus. The solutoin is prepared in house, […]
East Indian Globe Thistle at Sanjeevi Malai Eco Park
Category: Eco Park This photograph, taken at the Sanjeevi Malai Eco Park area, captures Sphaeranthus indicus, commonly known as East Indian Globe Thistle or Gorakhmundi. Belonging to the Asteraceae (sunflower) family, this small but significant herb is a familiar sight in open landscapes across Tamil Nadu. Sphaeranthus indicus is a small, aromatic, spreading annual herb […]
White Bark Acacia of Sanjeevi Malai: A Resilient Tree of Rajapalayam
Category: Greening Sanjeevi Hills Commonly found in and around Rajapalayam, especially across the slopes of Sanjeevi Malai, White Bark Acacia (Acacia leucophloea), known locally as Velvelam is a hardy presence in the region’s semi-arid landscape. Belonging to the Fabaceae (legume) family, this drought-resistant tree thrives where many others struggle. The tree is easily identified by […]
