Bhubaneswar: Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pradip Kumar Amat inaugurated a national seminar on ‘Sustainable Environment: Solutions to plastic pollution’ at a hotel in the capital city here today.

The seminar was organised by the Institute of Quality and Environment Management Services (IQEMS) in association with Odisha State Pollution Control Board and State Productivity Council.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister described about the steps taken by the Odisha government to combat plastic pollution. He also called upon all stake holders to work together for promoting sustainable environment.

Guest of honour Ashok Kumar Tripathy, Independent Director SAIL and External Monitor, GAIL, gave the examples of projects relating to sustainable environment by Steel Authority of India limited.

Dr. K Murugesan, IFS, Member Secretary State Pollution Control Board and Director Environment-cum-Special Secretary Forest, Environment & Climate Change highlighted the steps taken by the OSPCB and the state government to address the problems associated with plastic pollution.

In his address, Pankaj Kumar Satija, MD, TATA STEEL Mining Limited gave the example of Butterfly Park.

Dr. Tapan Chand, a well-known industry professional, said business and environment are not in conflict but in collaboration for promoting sustainable environment. The aluminum industry is committed to net zero carbon by 2050, he informed. Vedanta is leading the Indian industries in aluminum sector in this direction, he said.

Chand also claimed that bauxite mining doesn’t destroy forest but it helps developing green forest. Anyone can observe this at NALCO in Damanjodi, where reclaimed bauxite mining lands are full of lush green trees.

“Since bauxite seams (ore layers) do not allow water to sip in, big trees with deep roots do not grow on such deposits. Once the bauxite layer is removed, the earth becomes fertile to support big trees and thick jungles develop in such areas,” Dr. Chand said.

He called upon business, green champions, government and all stake holders to work together by keeping in mind that there is only one planet, one environment and one future.

Vinod Kumar, Chairman of NSSE-2023 gave welcome address and Debabrata Panigrahi, Director, IQEMS and convener NSSE-2023 coordinated the programme.

On this occasion, a souvenir was released and Kalinga Environment Excellence Awards were also given away by the guests.