Shimla, 30 July, 2022. Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board conducted the second day of the training cum certificate course on Environmental Management & Pollution Control at HIPA Fairlawn Shimla on 30 th July 2022. This is perhaps the first ever Certificate Course and initiative on Environment Management and Pollution Control by any Pollution Control Board. The 2nd day started with a presentation by Dr. D.K. Sharma, Pr. Sr. Environmental Engineer (Retd) of HP State Pollution Control Board on challenges of urbanization and its effect on water resources with respect to sewage management and polluted river stretch.
He opined that all the civilizations flourished along the banks of the rivers, hence protection of rivers is critically important. He further explained polluted river stretches in Himachal Pradesh identified by the Central Pollution Control Boards and legal frameworks to control water pollution. Vishal Kumar CEO, Waste Warrior Society Dehradun made a presentation on learning and experiences of Solid Waste Management in Hill States. He further explained about Earth Overshoot Day which was hosted and calculated by Global Footprint Network on 28 th July 2022.
Earth Overshoot Day marks the sad date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. Dr. Sunite Ganju, Nodal Officer, Bio-medical Waste Management, Department of Health Services GoHP gave a presentation on bio-medical waste management in the context of pandemic of Covid-19 and also highlighted the challenges of bio-medical waste management.
Subsequently Chandan Singh, AEE, HP State Pollution Control Board gave a presentation
on emerging challenges in management of plastic waste to regulate the use of notified single use plastic with focus on usage of compostable carry bags and verification of EPR action plan of PIBOs. Apoorv Devgan (IAS) Member Secretary, HP State Pollution Control Board joined the workshop online and further replied all the queries of the participants vis-à-vis latest notification of Govt. of Himachal Pradesh dated 23 rd July 2022.
He desired from the participants that challaning the violators and compounding the offence are essential for effective implementation of the notification. Prof. (Dr.) Mukesh Sharma, IIT Kanpur covered Air Pollution Control & Management with reference to burning of biomass, noise pollution control and mitigation. Finally he dealt National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in greater details. Torul R. Raveesh (IAS) – Special Secretary (PWD) GoHP chaired the panel discussion and suggested way forwards. Panelists comprised of Rahul Kumar (IAS) – CEO, HIMURJA, Jyoti Rana (HAS) – Jt. Director, HIPA and Prof. (Dr.) Mukesh Sharma IIT Kanpur. They dealt the issues of pollution control and waste management in greater details.
Apoorv Devgan (IAS) Member Secretary, HP State Pollution Control Board joined the workshop online and delivered concluding remarks. He further stressed upon the need of proper segregation and disposal of solid wastes with special reference to single use plastic and legacy wastes. He observed that there are several bottlenecks in effective implementation of various rules of solid waste and plastic waste rules, nevertheless we need to give our best to manage our wastes as per the provisions of environmental
legislations and save our environment. Dr. R.K. Nadda Chief Environmental Engineer gave the perspectives of the State Board vis-à-vis waste management & its regulations and also delivered vote of thanks to the dignitaries and participants.
