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Dear Pandit ji,
We have been trying to explore alternative ecological building materials for an ecological residential community in Auroville, near Pondicherry. We have so far found building blocks for walls like ‘FAL-G’ blocks, compressed stabilised earth blocks and sun dried earth blocks reinforced with rice husk for interiors, substituting conventional burnt bricks that cause high emission of Carbon dioxide during burning. But, we have not been able to come up with a real alternative to burnt clay tiles (high burning temperature!) for roofing material.
We have contacted HUDCO about materials called ‘Coconut Fibre and Wooden Chips Roofing Sheet’ and ‘Cement Bonded Fibre Roofing Sheet’. They are both made from products like coir and wood chips. The production seems to use low energy. But, so far we have not received a reply.
Do you know how to find out anything about these materials or other ecological materials like Micro Concrete Tiles? Who manufactures them, how to contact them, possibly any experience with them?
Dorothee (Auroville)
Via e-mail
Dear Dorothee ji,
You may check out Laurie Baker’s website at http://lauriebaker.net/. Another option is USAID India’s initiative, the Eco-Housing Mainstreaming Partnership. The website is www.ecohousingindia.org.
Here are some choices:
LIFE EXTENDED THATCH ROOFING: By treating thatch with copper sulphate solution, its life can be lengthened to reduce biodegradability effect.
COCNUT FIBRE AND WOODEN CHIPS ROOFING SHEETS: coconut fibre and wooden chips or fibre are soaked in water for two hours and then drained off. Then these are mixed with cement and laid over a corrugated mould and kept under pressure for 8 to 10 hours. After de-molding, these are cured and dried before use.
CORRUGATED BAMBOO ROOFING SHEET: It is eco-friendly, light-weight, strong and durable. Bamboo sheets are bonded with ‘phenol formaldehyde resin’ and treated with anti-termite chemical.
GUNA TILE ROOF: It is constructed with Terra-cotta cones made by potters and artisans. Appropriate water resistant treatment can be given on top.
CEMENT BONDED FIBRE ROOFING SHEETS: These are made by using coir waste, coconut pith, wood wool or sisal fibre, combined with cement as binder for production of corrugated or plain roofing sheets. These sheets use lesser cement than AC sheets, are 50 per cent cheaper, light-weight, fire resistant, water proof, and can be used for sloping roof option.
STONE PATTI ROOFING: It is a flat roofing system with sand stone slab (patties) resting over steel or slender RCC section beams. The slabs are laid over with terracing for insulation. It is appropriate where (sand) stone slabs are available and is more economical than RCC slabs.
FILLER SLABS: These are normal RCC slabs where bottom half (tension) concrete portions are replaced by filler materials such as bricks, tiles and cellular concrete blocks. These filler materials are so placed as not to compromise structural strength, result in replacing unwanted and nonfunctional tension concrete, thus resulting in economy. These are safe, sound and provide aesthetically pleasing pattern ceilings and also need no plaster.
Dear Pandit ji,
Please tell me something about Metabolism.
Akhila Pauicker
Class VI, Ursulive Convent Sec. Sr. School
Dear Akhila Pauicker ji,
Metabolism is a set of chemical reactions that maintain life in living organisms. Complex molecules are broken down to produce energy, which is in turn, used to build up other complex molecules. These reactions help organisms to grow, reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments.
Metabolism is usually divided into two categories – Catabolism and Anabolism. Catabolism breaks down large molecules, for instance, to harvest energy in cellular respiration. Anabolism uses energy to construct components of cells such as proteins and nucleic acids.
Metabolism determines which substances an organism will find nutritious and which it will find poisonous. The metabolic rate (speed of metabolism) also influences the food requirement of an organism.
For more information, you may glance through science encyclopedias.
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Dear Pandit ji,
The article ‘Energy and Equity’ in the Gobar Times (issue dated 15 March, 2008) caught my attention, and I would like to share an interesting observation about countries other than India, which are trying to keep their environment clean and reduce the pollution level.
We have only one Earth. Mere talking, writing or lecturing about ecology or eco-friendliness is not going to do anything. So here is an observation of a nation, which happily, dutifully and voluntarily is making an effort to keep mother earth happy – Germany.
Transport: Every German rides a bike (bicycle) to office within 15 kms of his or her residence, or else uses public transport. The roads are divided into autobahn surface road, cyclists and pedestrians.
Garbage: Every house has to separate the garbage into biodegradable and non-bidegradable, and deposit in a particular place. (In India, people in Bandra, Mumbai, sort out wet and dry garbage).
Compost Pit: Every house or complex has a compost pit, and every house tries to grow some plants or shrubs.
Clothes Drier: Electric driers are discouraged to avoid the extra heat released.
Parks and camping grounds: People are very particular about noise and soil pollution. They do not litter or use radios in the park, as the noise may disturb the birds and animals.
Paper recycling: Toilet papers, paper cups, plates and other such things have to be certified that they are made from recycled papers.
Plastic bags: Plastic bags are out of question in grocery shops. If you ask for one, you will have to pay a fine! And everybody takes cloth bags when they go out shopping.
Water: Nobody wastes drinking water. There are not many water fountains in the universities. All the students carry their own water bottles.
Organic vegetable/fruits: There are certified organic vegetable and fruit shops.
Bread: They use corn bread, instead of Maida, which is healthier.
So, can we Indians please make a start by, say, not using a car on a particular day of the week? The advantages would be multiple:
Save petrol/diesel
Reduce pollution
Walking, instead of driving, is a good exercise for our bodies
There can be still many more pleasures that readers may think of. Having lived in Germany and involved in a research project this observation is invaluable to me and I share it with everyone. Let us start a club-called
“No Car Day”. Through Gobar Times we all can voluntarily not use any personal vehicle for a day in a week to start with, and then measure or count the benefits.
Dr. Rajeshwari Raghu
Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Kodagu Vidyalaya
Madikeri
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