Bhubaneswar: Intellectuals, young people, particularly Gen Z, must raise awareness about preventing pollution and adopt environmentally friendly practices in their daily lives.
Only through everyone’s active participation we can build a clean and healthy environment, said Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia at the 43rd Foundation Day celebration of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) at Krushi Siksha Sadan, OUAT Friday.
“For the past 43 years, OSPCB has discharged its responsibility towards environmental protection with dedication and transparency.
The board is doing important work in monitoring air quality in major cities and industrial areas, testing water in rivers and other water bodies, overseeing industrial effluents and promoting the proper management of different types of waste.
These achievements reflect the tireless efforts of the Board’s engineers, scientists, administrative officers and field staff.”
On the occasion, the foundation stones for the board’s regional office buildings in Kataka, Koraput, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur were laid virtually. A drone-based monitoring system and an AI chatbot were also launched virtually.
Singkhuntia released four publications on environmental awareness— a journal on microplastics and nanoplastics, a compendium on best environmental practices, a comic book on water pollution, and a solid waste management handbook for stakeholders.
This was followed by the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between the OSPCB and NALCO Research and Technology Centre (NRTC), Gothapatna, on fly ash management.
Organisations from various sectors were honoured for their contributions to pollution control and environmental protection.
Environment appreciation certificates were presented in industry, mining and healthcare categories, while an Environment Excellence Award was presented for the best performance in the industrial township category.
FE&CC Principal Secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, PCCF and Head of Forest Force K Murugesan, OSPCB Member Secretary Manoj V Nair and OUAT VC Prabhat Kumar Roul were present at the event.
