The GPRS-based online monitoring system of pollution levels in industries can prevent disasters. But its maintenance should be proper over a period of time, said Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPB) Aditya Prasad Padhi here on Sunday.
Speaking at the 31st Foundation Day celebrations of the OSPCB, Padhi said that to maintain transparency the OSPCB is going to have an online consent monitoring system in which the board’s permission or guidelines to industries would be in the public domain.
However, a major concern is the pollution due to plastics particularly in the urban areas which is choking the drains. A massive awareness drive is required to curb the menace. Besides, this solid waste management is another major concern for citizens’ safety and health. “Water pollution is also on the rise, and if we do not mend ways soon the rivers would soon be polluted like the river Ganga,” Padhi said.
Minister of Forest and Environment Bikram Arukh said the OSPCB should be strengthened further. Climate change, particularly the rise in temperature, is a major challenge. Secretary of Forest and Environment RK Sharma laid stress on having more green buildings and suggested that to begin with the OSPCB building be retrofitted and turned into a green building which can be an eye opener for the others. He further said the OSPCB should act as a resource centre like in the case of fly ash.
On the occasion, OSPCB’s newsletter Paribesh Samachar was released by the Minister. Among others, former BPUT Vice-Chancellor Omkar Mohanty also spoke. OSPCB Member-Secretary Rajeev Kumar presided over the function and Senior Environment Scientist Dilip Kumar Behera delivered a vote of thanks.