Need for steps to mitigate pollution stressed

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, Jun. 6.

The need to pay serious attention to disposal of bio-medical wastes generated by hospitals, pollution caused by automobile emissions and the ``intolerable noise levels responsible for increased rate of respiratory diseases and mental disturbances in urban areas, was stressed at a seminar here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. V. Suresh, Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), said monitoring of air and water quality standards, steps to mitigate pollution should be the thrust of financing and developing ecologically appropriate projects.

Participating in the World Environment Day seminar `2000: The Environment Millennium - Time to Act' organised by the Institution of Engineers (IEI), Tamil Nadu Chapter, he highlighted problems in a range of ecological issues from global warming, consequent melt of polar ice caps and submerging of smaller island nations, CFCs and other ozone depleting substances and their indirect health impacts to the decline of agricultural production.

Outlining HUDCO's role in environment management, he said they provided technical assistance and seed capital for project formulation under its Project Initialisation Fund for green field ventures. HUDCO had prepared project reports for solid waste management in 10 towns and cities. A major consultancy assignment for waste management around nine selected defence airfields to avoid potential damage to aircrafts from bird hits had been prepared, he said.

In its move to fund `less energy intensive alternatives' to kiln- fired bricks, HUDCO has funded the establishment of fly-ash, gypsum and waste-based building material industries developing alternatives like FAL-G bricks and phospho-gypsum partition panels, he said.

Mr. L.M. Menezes, Executive Director, Fairpro hit out at the overall degradation caused by corruption. ''International agencies are controlled by powerful forces and environment consciousness is a distant dream for the business and industry sector``, he said. The other two factors of Government which is tied by political pressure and an illiterate and apathetic civil society is by large powerless. ''Even the elite fear officialdom and promote a fawning and cringing attitude towards politicians and officials``, he said hitting out at the decade-long delays in city improvement projects.

Dr. V.R. Visveswaran, former director Technical Cell, Environment and Forests Department outlined the need to protect waterbodies like dam inlets and lakes from pollution by unauthorised users.

Mr. S. Srinivasan, Technical Advisor, New Tirupur Development Authority called for implementation of rain-water harvesting techniques to recharge the city's depleting acquifers.

Mr. P. Nagarajan, Deputy Director, Inspectorate of Dock Safety spoke on the emergency planning steps to be taken in case of a fire or other disaster caused by hazardous chemical wastes.

Mr. K.V. Nair, Chairman,IEI, Mr. N.R. Dave, Convenor, Mr. T.M. Gunaraja, Honorary Secretary and Mr. M.B. Nirmal, Founder Chairmen, Exnora International spoke.

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