Odisha To Set Up Centre For Environment Monitoring & Data Analytics Under OPSCB

Bhubaneswar: The State Government has decided to set up a Centre For Environment Monitoring & Data Analytics which will operate under the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OPSCB). The decision was taken at the 131st Council meeting of OPSCB held at Lok Seva Bhavan here on Friday.

The center will help in facilitating decision related to environmental management with effective monitoring, projects and analysing data to control environmental pollution. Along with this, the Board was proposed to engage PhD students in research, development and coastal cell projects, while the proposal to arrange funds for biomedical waste management, were also discussed at the meeting.

Chairing the meeting, Chief Secretary and OSPCB Chairman Manoj Ahuja directed to improve the upgrade and advance environment monitoring system with technology, effective monitoring and surveillance.

The Chief Secretary reviewed various functions of the Board and emphasised on OSPCB to prepare and implement a comprehensive strategy to solve environmental problems in various sectors. Pollution Control Board member secretary Dr K Murugesan and other members of the board were present.

In the meeting, the decision and implementation of the 130th council meeting of the board held in February, 2024, was discussed and the annual report of 2022-23 and 2023-24 was presented to the board for approval.

The OSPCB has an important role to play in promoting clean air, safe drinking water and a healthy environment. The Pollution Control Board monitors the air quality, fumes emitted from industrial plants, various polluting vapours, waste materials, water in rivers, lakes, ponds, ground water and sea etc. and takes necessary action.