: ‘My Electricity Bill Dropped by 40%’: 69-YO on How He Built a Sustainable Home #IndiaNEWS #Environment Throughout his life, N Ramakrishnan has taken values of conservation and ecological management

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‘My Electricity Bill Dropped by 40%’: 69-YO on How He Built a Sustainable Home #IndiaNEWS #Environment
Throughout his life, N Ramakrishnan has taken values of conservation and ecological management wherever he goes. When his retirement called for a shift to Bengaluru in 2012, he set up horticulture, solar power units, composting systems and rainwater harvesting units in his house. “It has been 69 years since I have been practicing waste management. The habit was inculcated in me by my family, since my childhood days in Tamil Nadu,� he says.
 
He says his actions have even gone on to influence almost 4,000 people around him to shift towards a sustainable lifestyle.
 
Gardening & composting
Built on a space of 40 by 40 feet, Ramakrishnan’s house is decorated with a kitchen garden on top and vibrant ornamental plants in the front space. “I have grown about 150 plants in my house. Some of them are flowers like marigold and jasmine, while others are green trees to attract birds and other life around the space. The remaining 60 plants, mostly on my terrace, are fruit trees such as papaya, pomegranate, and chikoo, as well as vegetables like tomato, curry leaves, mint, spinach, gourd, brinjal, beans, bitter gourd, carrot, radish, and more,� he tells The Better India.
 
Planted in grow bags of different sizes, these crops receive only organic nutrition in the form of natural manure.
 
While the plants deliver over 50% of the food consumed by the family, a habit of composting ensures that the waste that leaves the kitchen is reduced as well. Ramakrishnan claims that he prepares 15 kg of organic manure in his home every month.
N Ramakrishnans Daily Dump Composter
Rainwater Harvesting
For this green warrior, there is no end to the prudent use of natural resources.
 
He says, “In earlier times, every drop of rain was saved so that there was no shortage of water. This inspired us [his family] to build a tank on our roof, which can hold 750 litres of water in one go. Filled about four times a month, this system is able to save 3,000 litres of water during the rainy season. �
A 750 litre water harvesting tank
 
 
With this rain water being used for garden irrigation, his dependence on municipal water has reduced to a great extent. Summer months may get sultry, but the remaining time of the year, his water bill comes to barely Rs 150. “Some time back, a few officials from the water department came to check if we were tampering with the water meter, as our water bill had not increased for several months. But I showed them how we collect rainwater for our garden and they were actually very happy,� he said.
 
Solar Panels
Apart from this, Ramakrishnan also fulfills his electricity requirement in a green manner.

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