Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) organized a programme with an aim that people’s only home is the planet earth, and they must protect its limited resources for sustainable living and harmony with nature. In this regard, a panel discussion was organized, on Wednesday, on the topic: “Future Ready Jharkhand – ONLY ONE EARTH”.
The JSPCB has always taken initiatives to curb pollution and build awareness among the masses. One initiative was to bring in subject matter experts, corporate leaders, students, and media persons on the same platform to discuss the present and future threats to the planet earth, focusing on Jharkhand.
This year, on National Pollution Control Day, December 2, JSPCB has rolled out a slew of awareness-building activities.
The State shares a unique relationship with forests since ancient times. The land of the legendary Bhagwan, Birsa Munda, comprises the Chhota Nagpur plateau and the Santhal Pargana hill tract. The word Jharkhand suggests an expanse of land covered with virgin forests, blue hills, waterfalls, rich mineral resources and a variety of flora and fauna.
Industrial growth depletes the forest cover every day. To counter this threat, JSPCB has embarked on progressive steps to improve industrial emissions, monitoring and regulatory framework in line with best practices globally.
After Gujarat and Maharashtra, Jharkhand is the third State in the country to empower citizens with access to pollution data of industrial units by making real-time emission data available on its website.
Speaking at the event to deliver a welcome address, Member Secretary, JSPCB,YK Das, said, “Components of nature present on the earth including air, water, vegetation, fuel and energy are considered important for life to flourish. But rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have exhausted and polluted the natural resources. If we do not take necessary action to conserve the depleting natural resources, the day is not far when we will have to struggle more to live life on earth.”
Eminent speakers from the academic world and industrial sectors spoke on the subject. Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, Ranchi, Dr Bhupesh Kumar, Assistant Professor, XISS, Ranchi, Dr Prakash Chandra Das, Director (Marketing and Production), Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited, Dr Rana S Chakravarty, Senior General Manager Environment, MECON, Dr VVSN Pinakapani and Chairperson – Environment and Pollution Sub-committee, Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Khushboo Kataruka Modi had an engaging session.
Questions from the press and students of XISS, IHM, Usha Martin University, ICFAI also added value to the discussion.
