Bhubaneswar: Forest, Environment & Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia today appealed to one and all to stop using single use plastic for their daily needs for the protection of the environment.
Shri Sing Khuntia was speaking on the occasion of 41st Foundation Day celebration of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) here at Jaydev Bhawan this evening.
Though single use plastic was completely banned in the state since July 1, 2022, the result was not encouraging, he said, adding, it is a challenge before us to provide alternatives of the single use plastic before the public at an affordable price.
Proper management of wastes of the industries is also a challenge before the Board, which needs to be dealt with, the Minister said. Lauding the efforts of OSPCB, Minister Shri Sing Khuntia said that the Board is monitoring and ensuring implementation of the Water and Air Pollution Control Laws in right spirit. Pollution Control measures are being fast tracked in the State, said the Minister.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja said the Board will play a crucial role in achieving the vision set for 2036, when Odisha will celebrate 100 years of its formation. By the end of 2036, industrialization and urbanization will be developed in the state. So, accordingly, pollution levels may also increase. So, the Board will have to play a greater role to manage it, Ahuja said.
Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Forest, Environment & Climate Change and Home Department attended the event as Guest of Honour.
In his address, Shri Sahu said Odisha has been blessed with abundant natural resources including minerals. To create employment for youths and for the development of the State, the natural resources and other potential resources of the state need to be explored, he said.
At the same time, pollution levels will also increase in the state. So, he appealed to all the industry representatives, who were present at the event, to come forward to support the government in protecting the environment from both air and water pollution.
State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary, Dr. K. Murugesan, presented the Annual Activity Report of the Board for 2023-24. Dr Murugesan informed about the development of the Board from its inception. The Board has now 14 regional offices across the State while another new regional office will be opened soon in Dhenkanal, he informed.
The Member Secretary further said there were only two air quality monitoring stations in the State in 2019, which is now increased to 18.
The Board has done excellent work in controlling water pollution, especially river water pollution. There were 19 river stretches where the pollution level was so high. But, due to the effort of the Board officials, now, the number came down to six, Dr.Murugesan pointed out.
More than 1700 picnic spots have been made plastic free zones while 90 percent of the fly ash generated from the state has been utilized. Efforts are being made to use the remaining 10 percent fly ashes, Dr Murugesan said.
On this occasion, three Scientific Books namely, (1) Quick study on Gangua a Natural Urban Drain of Bhubaneswar, (2) Framework for Carrying Capacity assessment of Brahmani-Baitarani river basin for sustainable industrial development and (3) Ghost Nets: A silent culprit in Sea, were released by the Board.
On this Foundation Day, Environmental Excellence and Environmental Appreciation Awards were given to Industries, Mines, Health Care Facilities and Industrial Township for their outstanding performance in the field of Pollution Control & Management.
In the category of Industry, Pollution Control Excellence Award was awarded to Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd., Therubali, Rayagada and Pollution Control Appreciation Award was awarded to Angul Energy Ltd., Angul.
Similarly, in the Mines category, Pollution Control Excellence Award was awarded to Raikela & Tantra Iron Mines of Penguin Trading & Agencies Limited, Raikela, Dengula, Sundergarh and Pollution Control Appreciation Award was awarded to Lanjiberna Limestone & Dolomite Mines of Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited. In the field of Health Care Facility, Pollution Control Excellence Award was given to Community Health Centre (CHC), Jhumpura, Keonjhar and Pollution Control Appreciation Award was given to Community Health Center (CHC), K. Nuagaon, Kandhamal & Samaleswari Multi Specialty Hospital, Jitendra Nagar, Balangir for outstanding performance jointly.
Prof. (Dr.) M.K. Rout Pollution Control Appreciation Award was given to Aditya Aluminium Township, Sambalpur in the category of Industrial Township.
Dr. Mukesh Sharma, Professor, Dept., of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur graced the Foundation Day of the Board as distinguished Speaker to deliver Prof. (Dr.) M.K. Rout Memorial Lecture.
Er. Rabi Narayan Prusty, Chief Environment Engineer, Er. Bijaya Kumar Behera, Chief Environment Engineer & Er. Sitikantha Sahu, Additional Chief Environment Engineer of OSPCB, Bhubaneswar coordinated the entire program.
All the Senior Officials & Other Staffs of the Board were present on this Foundation Day. Er. Rabi Narayan Prusty, Chief Environment Engineer of State Pollution Control Board delivered the vote of thanks.