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ASSOCHAM organises seminar on environmental challenges

BNE News Desk


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Guwahati: ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) on 23rd May organized a State level Seminar on Environmental Regulatory Compliance in Guwahati in association with the Pollution Control Board, Assam. The event took place at NEDFI House and was held in support from the Assam Science, Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), Govt of Assam, and the SRD Group, Assam.

The seminar aimed to highlight the importance of environmental regulatory compliance, discuss the challenges associated with it, and explore the way forward. It featured interactive panel discussions focusing on different aspects of compliance initiatives. The event also facilitated one-to-one interactions between ministry officials, environmental experts, and stakeholders from various industries and environmental sectors.

The seminar organized by ASSOCHAM on Environmental Regulatory Compliance in Guwahati, Assam was attended by several notable individuals. Ravi S. Prasad, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Deptt. Of Environment and Forests, Govt. of Assam, Dr. Arup Misra, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Assam, Dr. Shantanu Datta, Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board, Assam, Shri L.K Parganiha, IEDS, Deputy Director and Head of Office, MSME-Development and Facilitation Office, Guwahati, Ministry of MSME, Govt of India, Manoj Lundia, Prant President, Purvottar, Laghu Udyog Bharti, and Shri Sandeep Khaitan, Vice Chairman, ASSOCHAM NE Council were among the distinguished guests.

The seminar comprised interactive panel discussions that focused on various aspects of environmental regulatory compliance, including its importance, initiatives, challenges, and the way forward. Following the panel discussions, there was a one-to-one interaction session between ministry officials, environment experts, and participants from industries and environmental stakeholders.

During his address, Sandeep Khaitan, Vice Chairman, ASSOCHAM NE Council emphasized that environmental protection is a shared responsibility for the betterment of current and future generations. He highlighted the threats posed by climate change, riverbank erosion, pollution, and inadequate sanitation systems to ecosystems. Khaitan acknowledged the need for a comprehensive approach to address these environmental issues and mentioned the vital steps being taken by the central government, such as combatting erosion, promoting diversified agriculture, improving sanitation and drainage systems, and involving NGOs in creating awareness and implementing participatory methods.

Dr. Shantanu Datta, Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board, Assam, emphasized that the Pollution Control Board cannot act as a policing body for industries but rather as a supportive supervisor in establishing industries responsibly to promote socio-economic development in Assam. He mentioned the board's efforts in fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals and requested support from industries in implementing the action points of Mission Life. Dr. Datta also highlighted the upcoming development of a Transport Storage Disposal Facility (TSDF) for hazardous waste in Assam, which represents a significant step towards environmental compliance.

L.K Parganiha, IEDS, Deputy Director and Head of Office, MSME-Development and Facilitation Office, Guwahati, Ministry of MSME, Govt of India, shared that a large number of registered MSMEs in Assam, especially micro enterprises, face resource constraints when it comes to implementing environmental regulatory compliances. He informed the audience about the Ministry of MSME's efforts to create awareness and motivate MSMEs to comply with environmental regulations. Parganiha mentioned schemes like Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) that provide benefits to MSMEs and assured proactive support from MSME-DI, Guwahati, in promoting compliance and contributing to the growth of the MSME sector in Assam and the Northeastern region.

Dr. Arup Misra, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Assam, emphasized that good environmental practices should not be limited to a rigid catalog of do's and don'ts. He highlighted that regulatory compliance entails staying within the boundaries of laws, guidelines, and standards governing business operations, including those related to the environment. Dr. Misra reiterated that industries operating within the country's regulatory framework have a responsibility to diligently adhere to environmental policies and regulations.

Ravi S. Prasad, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Deptt. Of Environment and Forests, Govt. of Assam commended ASSOCHAM for organizing the seminar and stressed the urgency of addressing climate change in a pragmatic and serious manner. He emphasized the importance of balancing development with environmental protection and working towards sustainable development. Prasad assured the audience that the Environment and Forest department of the Govt. of Assam is actively working to establish a regime where development and environmental regulatory compliance go hand in hand for a sustainable future for the people of Assam and the Earth as a whole.

Additionally, an extensive interactive session took place between industry players and various social development organizations engaged in environmental protection in Assam and the Northeast region.

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BNE News Desk