Thalur: Nilgiri College, located in Thalur, a border village between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, has received the Green Champion Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in recognition of its successful environmental and green campus initiatives.
The award was presented in appreciation of the college’s extensive green development and sustainable agriculture projects implemented on its campus. Over the past five years, the institution has been cultivating organic paddy farming on nearly seven acres of farmland within the campus. In addition, several other agricultural initiatives such as vegetable cultivation, flower farming and the planting of various fruit trees have been successfully implemented.
The college’s Green Positive Mission, which actively involves students, teachers and local residents, has become a model initiative. Many educational institutions and visitors regularly visit the campus to observe and learn from these sustainable practices.
The campus produces around 10,000 tonnes of rice and other agricultural products annually. A significant portion of the produce is used in the college’s canteen and hostels. Apart from this, the institution also conducts environmental and agricultural awareness programmes, which have gained considerable attention.
Considering these initiatives, the Tamil Nadu government selected the college for the Green Champion Award, which includes a cash prize of ₹1 lakh and a certificate of recognition.
Nilgiri College has also achieved notable academic recognition. In the quality assessment by the University Grants Commission, the college secured an A++ grade, and it has been ranked between 200 and 300 among the best colleges in India in the National Institutional Ranking Framework rankings. The institution is also recognized as one of the youngest autonomous colleges in India.
The college is affiliated with Bharathiar University and offers 11 undergraduate courses and four postgraduate programmes, with more than 1,700 students currently enrolled.
The award was received from Nilgiri District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru by Campus Manager P. M. Ummar, Quality Coordinator Dr. Karthik, and College Council member Dr. Durai.
College Managing Director Dr. Rashid Ghazali congratulated the teachers, staff and students who contributed to the success of the Green Positive Mission. He also announced that the award money will be used to establish a model medicinal garden on the campus.
