The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in association with West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), organized the third Durgapur/Asansol Edition of Discussion Forum on Ecological Sustainability in the Industrial Region, on 28th February 2020 (Friday) at Asansol Engineering College. The Chamber organized the earlier editions of the Discussion Forum successfully in Haldia, Siliguri and Durgapur.

The objective of this Discussion Forum was to bring together the stakeholders to brainstorm and discuss together Industrial Development vis-a-vis Ecological Sustainability. To a great extent the Chamber has been able to make this possible. We do believe we will be able to take our work forward and achieve greater heights.

This year, the Forum focused on:
▪  Air Pollution & Solid Waste Management - Best Practices - Concerns - Way Forward/Opportunities.
▪  Newer Technologies for Air & Waste.

Mr. Gautam Ray, Chairperson, Energy & Environment Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Executive Director (HR & Admin.), CESC Limited delivered the formal Welcome Address. The Inaugural Session was graced by Dr. P P Bhattacharya, Principal, Asansol Engineering College; Mr. Somesh Dasgupta, Chairperson, People Management Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Group President & CCRO, India Power Corporation Limited; Mr. Prem Sagar Mishra, Chairman and Managing Director, Eastern Coalfields Limited; Mr. Subrat Mahapatra, IFS, Deputy Director General of Forests (C), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Regional Office (EZ), Bhubaneswar and Mr. Atin Chowdhury, Advisor, Asansol Engineering College.

Mr. Prem Sagar Mishra, Chairman and Managing Director, Eastern Coalfields Limited emphasized that the sustainability was a crucial area and in regard to the same the concerned stakeholder should be aware of how, when and what is to be done. He referred to Vedanta which advises utilization of own resources and not to arbitrarily enhance needs for which others's resources have to be intervened into. He also mentioned that responsibility of ecological balance would have to be delivered by all individuals which may be embraced by organizations and society. Science and Technology would have to be integrated and appropriate strategy and plan would be needed for implementation. Technology, unless combined with team and trust, will not serve the purpose. Mr. Mishra also added that ECL was committed to make betterment of environment, health and hygiene of the people of the Region. As per Paris Agreement, ECL has submitted INDCs'.

Mr. Subrat Mahapatra, IFS, Deputy Director General of Forests (C), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Regional Office (EZ), Bhubaneswar emphasized that Industries in the Region are diverse in nature. Pollution issues of each industry are different from the other which may not be assessed properly or addressed at the same time. But all industries have different environment management plans. Coal Industry, to be specific, deals with very difficult minerals to be extracted. While in distribution, pitheads may be used which will address a significant amount of environment impact. He shared analysis of environment impacts by industry and other stakeholders. Industry is more organized. Therefore there is an expectation of controlling. Mr. Mahapatra said that their priorities determine their issues like emission by vehicles and emission by stubble burning in which the latter creates more environment impact. Mr. Mahaparta also mentioned about encroachment of sources and catchment areas of rivers which is disturbing the river flow. He aslo mentioned the release of pollutants to the sea. He stated that a regional management plan to address the issues of the industrial cluster may be made. The plan should also be flexible to address newer issues which may come up. Capacity building of the industry by engaging appropriate manpower to introduce and encourage self regulations were identified by him.

Mr. Atin Chowdhury, Advisor, Asansol Engineering College delivered the formal Vote of Thanks. Mr Sankar Mukhopadhyay, Head Asia Institute- Power Management, CESC Ltd deliberated his speech on Air Pollution.

There were two Discussion Forums - Brainstorming Session
▪  Air Pollution & Waste Management- Best Practices -Concerns -Way Forward/Opportunities.
▪  Newer Technologies for Air & Waste.

Dr P P Bhattacharya, Principal. Asansol Engineering College delivering the Opening Remarks. Mr. Subhajit Banerjee, AGM - Production & Quality, Emami Cement Ltd; Mr. Pramod Singh, President- Regulatory & Commercial, India Power Corporation Ltd; Mr Sumit Chakraborty, GM- HR & Commercial, Shyam Sel Power Ltd; Mr. Ujjwal Sur, Head-HSE, Crescent Power Limited; Mr Kanchan Kumar Das, Deputy Manager (Mfg Excellence, Philips Carbon Black Limited; Mr. Prakash Mallick, Deputy Manager (Safety, Health & Environment), Philips Carbon Black Limited and Ms. Pallavi Roy, Deputy Manger, Philips Carbon Black Limited graced the forum - Brainstorming Session - Air Pollution & Waste Management - Best Practices - Concerns - Way Forward/Opportunities. The session was chaired by Dr. G S Panda, Registrar, Asansol Engineering College. Mr Parth Kumar, Deputy Programme Manager, Centre for Science and Environment, during the session on Newer Technologies for Air & Waste, delivered his presentation on 'Brick kilns - ZigZag Technology'.

The discussion forums were followed by vibrant interactions. The forum was attended by the major industries of the region. Senior functionaries of West Bengal Pollution Control Board were also present at the forum.