Chandigarh, 30.06.22-: Today, Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration in collaboration with Eco Club of GGDSD College & Yuvsatta-NGO organized an annual conference on theme of SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL(SDG) 2030 READY CHANDIGARH, in compliance with NGT-National Green Tribunal Guidelines for protection & management of environment for achieving SDG2030 Goals. And over 200 Eco Club incharge teachers, inspectorate staff of municipal corporation, staff of Pollution Control Committees of tricity and RWA members participated in the endeavour.
Prominent speakers who addressed the gathering included Sh. Debendra Dalai, IFS, CCF cum Director, Department of Environment, Mr. Vinay Pratap Singh, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Arulrajan P., IFS, Member Secretary, CPCC-Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, Dr. Anirudh Joshi, General Secretary GGDSD College Managing Committee, Dr. Ajay Sharma, Principal, Dr. Vinay Mohan, Medical Officer Health (MoH), Prof. Sanjay Sharma, NITTTR, Mr. Baljinder Singh Bittoo, Chairman, FOSWAC, Dr. Brij Bhushan, Scientist ‘SD’ and Mr. Pramod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta.
Welcoming the participants Dr. Anirudh Joshi emphasized the role of educational institutions and teachers specially to imbibe and inculcate values of environmental protection and conservation in young minds.
In his keynote address Sh. Debendra Dalai shared that in comparison to other parts of India, we in Chandigarh are ahead to tackle environmental challenges be it case of rise of green cover from 26% in 2001 to over 50% in 2021, installation of over 50 MW of rooftop Solar projects despite scarcity of land here, laying of cycle-tracks, or recent announcements of electric Vehicle Policy, 2022, to build UT Chandigarh as a 'Model EV City' by achieving one of the highest penetrations of zero emission vehicles amongst all Indian cities. He also appreciated the proactive role of city residents and educational institutions in this regard.
Mr. Vinay Pratap Singh, IAS, Deputy Commissioner said that due to people’s participation at NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals India Index, Chandigarh tops the chart among UTs Best performer on zero hunger, quality education, economic growth indices. Similarly, he asked the participants to actively monitor and contribute to the ‘District Environmental Plan’ of Chandigarh, especially in NGT targeted areas of Waste management, water quality management, ambient air quality, domestic sewage, industrial water waste and noise pollution. He advised to form sub-committees of active residents of the city in this regard.
Mr. Arulrajan P., in session on catalysing clean air said that in the last ten years there is a sizable 60% increase in vehicles in the city with no such possibility of increase of roads as Chandigarh is a land-locked city. So, it's imperative for each one of us to be the change, think of alternative modes of travel, be it cycle or walking for shorter distances, use of more public transport and judicious use of own vehicles.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Principal Dr. Ajay Sharma, who appreciating the participation of such a large number of people, despite bad weather, said that it shows participants commitment for a better environment and beautiful Chandigarh.