NGT Chief Appreciates Odisha For Pollution Management Measures

Bhubaneswar: Chairman of National Green Tribunal (NGT), Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel on Monday termed the accomplishments of Odisha in pollution management as “remarkable achievements”. He also appreciated the state for its performances in monitoring industrial affluent and urban wastes.

During an interactive session with government officers led by Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra at Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) here, Member Secretary Dr K. Murugesan  informed Goel about the current pollution scenario in the state. Goel was also apprised of the measures taken to control and mitigate the impact of pollution generated from different sources.

Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, G Mathivathanan appraised about the management of different types of wastes in urban local bodies.

Goel said different Acts, Rules, stipulations of Indian Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code have been put in place. “Continued efforts for their enforcement throughout the country would curtail devastating effects of the pollution,” he added.

The Chief Secretary said, “State is taking all possible measures for complying to the environmental norms and constantly taking direct feedback of the people through the innovative approach of Mo Sarkar.

Concerted efforts by OSPCB

OSPCB expanded its activities through 14 regional offices, 11 regional laboratories and one central laboratory for enforcement and compliance.

Board also set up a center at Paradeep for management of coastal eco-system.

The Board is constantly monitoring: 

Water quality of 11 major river basins in 129 locations with respect to 36 parameters

Ambient air quality of 17 major towns also being monitored with 11 CAAQMS stations

Biological health of 8 major river systems with 29 stations

Ground water quality in 30 districts with 91 monitoring stations

Coastal environment at 73 locations from Paradeep to Dhamara.

Board also rolled out online service delivery of 6 important services i.e. consent to establish, consent to operate, authorization under hazardous waste management, biomedical waste management and e-waste management and registration under plastic waste management with decided timelines and payment gateway for approvals.

OSPCB ranked No-1 in transparency index conducted by Center for Science and Environment.