Expressnews
In a compelling demonstration of civic awareness and environmental responsibility, the Departments of Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry at Chevalier T. Thomas Elizabeth College for Women organized an impactful awareness programme focused on urban cleanliness and ecological restoration. The initiative included a rally and human chain formation along St. Mary’s Road, concluding at the historically significant yet environmentally threatened Captain Cotton Canal in Vyasarpadi, North Chennai.
The programme was designed to educate the public on the environmental and health hazards caused by indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal sewage discharge, and the choking of water channels with plastic waste and water hyacinth. Students held placards, banners, and posters highlighting the urgent need for responsible waste management and preservation of water bodies. The human chain served as a symbolic representation of solidarity, reminding the community that meaningful environmental change begins with collective action and informed youth participation.
The Captain Cotton Canal, named after Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton (1803–1899), a pioneering British irrigation engineer known for transforming South India’s agricultural landscape through major irrigation projects, was originally part of Chennai’s micro-drainage system. Once a functional stormwater outlet protecting localities like Erukkancheri, MKB Nagar, and Vyasarpadi from urban flooding, the canal today suffers from decades of neglect. Its current condition—clogged with garbage and illegal sewage—poses severe risks to public health, local biodiversity, and urban resilience.
By choosing this site for the rally, CTTE College students not only paid tribute to the engineering legacy of Sir Arthur Cotton but also brought public attention to the urgent need for sustainable urban planning and ecological restoration. Faculty members emphasized that the initiative aligned with the college’s educational commitment to value-based learning, where environmental ethics, critical thinking, and civic responsibility are integral to academic growth.
The programme further strengthened the college’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing several key environmental priorities. It promoted awareness about water pollution and sanitation, thus contributing to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. By advocating for clean urban infrastructure and the preservation of public waterways like the Captain Cotton Canal, it supported SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The campaign also encouraged responsible consumption and production in line with SDG 12, highlighting the need for proper waste disposal and reduced ecological stress on urban systems. Additionally, by calling for urgent restoration of degraded water channels and emphasizing climate resilience, the initiative reflected the objectives of SDG 13: Climate Action.
Students expressed a strong desire to continue the momentum with future outreach efforts, including street theatre, clean-up campaigns, and collaboration with civic bodies. They highlighted the power of youth-led action in restoring not just the environment, but also public memory and pride in Chennai’s overlooked infrastructural assets.
This campaign is part of CTTE College’s broader mission to integrate experiential learning, environmental stewardship, and socially responsible education, encouraging students to be agents of sustainable change in their communities. Through initiatives like these, the college reinforces the belief that education is not confined to classrooms, but actively shapes society.
