1 2 3 4 Dear Readers, Happy World Environment Day 2019! It is a pleasure to present "Envicare", a Souvenir by BCPL Environment Team, which Mr. Tamagna Ms. Roseleen is a humble effort to capture BCPL's endeavours Ghosh Ahmed for ensuring its responsibility towards environ- ment; whether it is improving efficiencies in our operations, addressing the concerns of communi- ties around us, or taking initiatives that reduce the public domain and sample testing by MoEFCC ap- industrial impact on the environment. The main proved third party, and it is ensured that all emis- objective behind launching of this Souvenir is to sion parameters are well within the permissible share knowledge and to spread environmental limits. consciousness, which is a part of our vision state- With regard to water conservation and ment, among one and all. management, which is another focus area of BCPL, BCPL is very sensitive and concerned to its consumption is closely monitored and con- environmental impact generating from its manu- trolled. Installation of modern Effluent Treatment facturing processes. The environmental concerns Plant with biological treatment, to treat the efflu- are of paramount importance and every effort is ent generated in plants, maintains the treated wa- in place to minimize or neutralize the impact of ter parameters well within the limit as prescribed climate change, in terms of air emission, water ef- by the Pollution Control Board, Assam. BCPL fluents, fresh water use, waste management etc. is continuously making efforts to recycle usable All possible precautionary steps are being taken water with the aim to reduce fresh water intake to ensure that our operations perform well within through implementation of rainwater harvesting, permitted limits, keeping the effect on community artificial recharge of ground water and reduction to a minimum extent. In fact, Environment Protec- in water losses and leakages if any. tion is one of the major thrust areas of BCPL's Cor- BCPL follows an approach of reducing porate Social Responsibilities (CSR). waste as a part of its responsibility towards envi- In line with its commitment towards sus- ronment and continuously makes effort to manage tainable development, BCPL has accorded the its waste in the best possible ways. One of the fore- highest priority to environmental considerations most priorities is to ensure minimum generation throughout all phases from concept to commis- of waste. Utmost care is given for segregation of sioning and operation. BCPL uses one of the clean- different wastes, and their management as per the est fuels available which is sulphur-free natural latest environmental practices. A bio-remediation gas. BCPL installed state-of-the-art pollution con- facility has been set up which treats sludge gener- trol devices suitable for the purpose of reducing ated in the ETP in an environment-friendly man- atmospheric pollution. The stack emissions and ner. Moreover, possibility of co-processing of high ambient air conditions are being regularly moni- calorific value wastes as fuel in cement industries tored through online stack analyzers connected to is also being explored by the team.

5 BCPL is committed to operational excel- and around the area. Additionally, BCPL has lence with a focus on continuous efforts to im- planted around 2000 agar trees in its premises. prove environmental performance and adhering Safety of our natural environment is a to all statutory compliances and environmental primary requisite for a healthy and happy so- clearances through MoEFCC, Central Pollu- ciety. BCPL has been proactive in taking up tion Control Board, and State Pollution Control environmental issues and actively interacting Board, Assam. BCPL also has well established with other leading companies to share best environment management systems which are practices and building framework in making dedicated to function at the maximum level. sustainability an integral plank of every facet With an endeavour to encourage wide- of our organization. spread awareness for the protection of our en- It is our delight to have received the vironment, BCPL Environment Team organizes prestigious ‘18th Annual Greentech Environ- different events during World Environment ment Award 2018’ ‘Gold’ Category, in Petro- Day, including large scale tree plantation, chemical Sector. awareness drives in local schools, villages, and among employees and their families. We also As we gear up for the coming years, we celebrate important days and events related look forward to further infuse environmental to environment like World Water Day, Earth sensibilities in the way we work through in- Hour, Earth Day, Biodiversity Day, etc. and join novations and out-of-the-box thinking, and the global community to sensitize everyone to strive to bring about avant garde transforma- create a better understanding and appreciation tions. of various aspects of Sustainability. BCPL also Finally, we hope that the intention be- carries out extensive afforestation, including hind launching of this Souvenir "Envicare" maintaining herbal garden, fruit garden and an is realized through our readers, and the mes- extensive green belt surrounding the plant. Last sage for protection and conservation of Envi- year on the occasion of World Environment Day ronment touches all. 2018, BCPL planted more than 5000 saplings in

Let us join together to create an environment that needs no protection.

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 LET THE YOUNG BE OUR GUIDE

By Sunita Narain Director General, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi As published in "Down to Earth" magazine

Greta Ernman Thunberg is a 16-year-old at the last count, Friday of mid-March some 1,650 Swedish school girl who is rocking the world with strikes were on in over 100 countries. her protest against inaction on climate change. In August 2018, as Sweden was gearing up for its na- What Greta and her fellow youth are asking tional elections, she decided not to go to school, is simple and straight, “If climate change happens, but to sit outside to raise the flag on the need to as predicted and now more or less certain, then do more, much more to combat deadly climate what is our future?” This is a fact. The inheritors change. At first, it is said, she was alone but as she are asking, what are you leaving for us? What are persisted and persisted, her voice got louder and you doing? louder. Now she sits in protest every Friday outside her school urging the world to act. And with her, I don’t know how far Greta’s organic move- ment will go—will it get exhausted, irrelevant or just disappear as the youngsters get older and the reality of livelihood takes over. But I hope it will not go away. I hope it will continue to rage and rant and spread across our world. I hope it will capture the imagination of the young; gather their despera- tion; and, all this will make its way into their par- ents’ company boardrooms and ministerial offices. I hope it will not shush down. I hope it will not be- come like the old—like us.

Because there is one more chance for us to make this work. The fact is if we reconfigure our

21 measurement of progress so that it is built on measuring the wellbeing of our chil- dren, then the planet may just survive. We know today that children are not just the inheritors of the future warmer world. We know also that environmental destruction and toxification has the worst impact on their lives. So, make them the centre of the universe of development. Measure growth through their wellbeing.

We know that the lack of access to safe sanitation impinges on children’s lives, not just wellbeing—it leads to mal- nutrition, stunting and high disease bur- beginning of the change in the fertility and popula- den, including death. We make this our way to un- tion trajectory of a country. Their empowerment is derstand if sanitation is improving or not, not just real power as an educated young woman is the first counting toilets. Then we know that the availability to take charge of her mind and her body. It’s also of the toilet is not enough, human excreta has to be clear that education will build more informed con- taken back and made safe for reuse. If not, it will sumers—the inheritors cannot take on the same pollute water and spread diseases, including vector lifestyle and expect to save the planet. borne. So, let’s start measuring pollution through data on the growth of malaria or diarrhoea. It is also clear that livelihoods are critical— the insecurity of the young comes from their lack Similarly, the lack of clean energy in homes of jobs in this increasingly automated world. What is another wicked problem; women cooking on will they do? What are the skills that will build the biomass fuel suffer from killer respiratory disor- new world, which will not add to the crisis of cli- ders. Lower respiratory tract infections remain the mate change? Have we built jobs that are in the top causes of children and adolescent mortality in green economy? This is the question that will work, the world. Even as the world needs to reinvent its not just to build futures, but also correct the pre- energy system to mitigate greenhouse gas emis- sent. sions that cause climate change, it also needs to do much more to provide energy to the poorest in the In this way we will measure the health of world. Then there is the challenge of toxification the planet through the health and wellbeing of our because of air in cities, which is showing up in the young. We will build hope that we are working to- increased disease burden, particularly of children. wards a new future—the one Greta Thunberg and So, lets measure progress to clean energy or clean millions like her are calling us to ensure. Today, not air through the health of our children. tomorrow.

There is also no doubt that education ideal- ly good and meaningful changes lives. There is also enough evidence that educating the girl child is the

22 CHANGING PARADIGMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE: AN ANTHROPOGENIC VIEW

Dr. Arup Kr. Misra* and Tanvi Hussain# *Director Assam Science Technology and Environment Council & Assam Energy Development Agency #Project Scientist, Climate Cell, Assam Science Technology and Environment Council

No species other than human beings have is over 7 billion and carrying capacity is defined as altered the Earth’s landscape for its benefit. The im- the maximum number of species an environment pact of obtaining services from the Earth and its can support indefinitely. Carrying capacity esti- resources is so extensive that we are stepping to- mates future trends in demography, resource avail- wards a new epoch, the Anthropocene epoch. Our ability, economic development etc. Our Earth does growing population coupled with rising affluence not have the carrying capacity to sustain the cur- and per capita income is driving planet Earth closer rent level of growth and resource consumption. We to its tipping point. Like a train bound to a par- have consumed natural resources and generated ticular destination, crossing various stations, we are wastes beyond the planet’s ability to replenish those also driving our Earth through various stations like resources and absorb the wastes. It would take an- depletion of natural resources, global temperature other 1.5 Earths to sustain our current population and sea level rise, climate change, extreme weather if the same trend of growing population and de- events, crop failure, food scarcity, loss of biodiversi- mand for resources continue. What can be done at ty, human migration, civil wars, mass extinction etc. individual, regional and national level, the bottom There are limits to life-sustaining resources Earth levels of hierarchy to reduce our collective impact can provide; there is a carrying capacity for human on the environment? lives on this planet. At present human population

23 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on as an Endemic Bird Area by the Royal Society for Climate Change (UN IPCC) Special Report high- Protection of Birds. Each flood season, the major lights research about global changes as a result of rivers of Assam forsake their earlier channel to cut climate change wherein it specifically points to In- new swathes through the soil. As the water recedes, dia as one of the most vulnerable countries world- alluvial deposits remain in the river giving rise to wide. The factors that contribute to India’s vulner- sandy islands. These islands are fertile and some ability are a treacherous concoction of natural and of them are large enough to attract cultivation and human induced factors; its hot tropical climate, dif- semi-permanent settlement for those displaced by ferential topography, long coastline stretching 7000 annual floods or erosion. The state is also charac- km (approx.), unpredictable monsoons, heavy de- terized by cyclonic activities for a couple of month pendency on agriculture, large population living prior to the monsoon and rainfall at other times of in poverty, lack of disaster preparedness, runaway the year as well. Nearly 2.59% of the country’s pop- pollution, unplanned development, deforestation ulation resides in Assam with population density etc. The Report also points that our country sup- marginally higher than the average density of the ports 17% of the world population on merely 4% country. Among the 8 North Eastern states, Assam of the world’s freshwater resources. Recognizing has the largest urban population which is 14% of climate change as a global challenge, Government the total population of North East India. Its urban of India in 2008 published its National Action Plan conglomerates are Guwahati, Nagaon, Dibrugarh on Climate Change (NAPCC) with an aim to create and Silchar. Despite being the seventh (7th) fast- awareness among the representatives of the public, est growing state of India, the state’s economy is different agencies of the government, scientists, in- mostly agrarian and depends on rural labour force dustry and the community as a whole, on the threat on agriculture and allied sectors. Indian Council posed by climate change and the steps proposed at of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has identified the the level of India to counter these changes. In the North East region as a centre of rice germplasm NAPCC eight (8) promising missions have been and Department of Environment and Forests states proposed, besides commitment to engage actively that the region is a centre of origin of commercially in multilateral negotiations in the UN Framework important plants like banana, citrus, Zizyphus and Convention on Climate Change, in a positive, con- tea. The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resourc- structive manner. es (NBPGR) has highlighted the North East region Assam, comprising of the Brahmaputra and as being rich in wild relatives of crop plants. But Barak valley, an integral part of the fragile Eastern there are also evidences of declined productivity in Himalayan ecosystem, is one of the worst affected recent years of major crops and particularly rice, a areas of India. Situated in the foothills of the east- number of factors constrain low productivity in the ern Himalayas, Assam is the gateway and most agricultural sector most important being the fre- populated state of North East India. Except for the quent occurrences of floods. bottleneck corridor that runs through the foot- Ascertaining long climate trends, Indian hills of Himalayas and connect the state with West Meteorological Department (IMD) has analyzed Bengal, Assam is entirely isolated from India. The weather data from 1951 to 2010 of 282 stations for southwest monsoon brings humidity to Assam and temperature and 141 stations for rainfall across the showers an average rainfall of 1927 mm or more. nation. For Assam, the analysis was based on 6 sta- It is also credited as the life line of the state’s biodi- tions for temperature and 12 stations for rainfall versity and tropical rain forests. The state’s topogra- showed that the mean temperature has increased phy and warm humid climate supports vegetation by +0.01oC per year. There is also an increase in growth which is why Assam alone houses 51 forest seasonal temperatures across seasons with pro- and sub-forest types coupled with diverse pattern nounced warming in post monsoon and winter of vegetation growth and also has been identified temperatures. The annual rainfall has also de-

24 creased by 2.96 mm per year during the same peri- normal mode of land water interactions which may od. In addition, when station wise data are analysed have detrimental effect on the micro-environment for a period of at least 25-30 years, significant vari- characterised by temperature, soil moisture, hu- ations were observed across seasons in number of midity on which the sustenance of many wild flora rainy days and in 24 hr maximum rainfall. Assam is and fauna depends. Glacial recession is also linked very much part of the regional warming trend, the to increased sediment load in rivers. A number of summer monsoons are found to decreasing over major flash floods have occurred in this decade due this region at a rate of 11 mm per decade during to heavy rainstorms or cloud bursts in the state or the last century. During 2005 and 2006 several dis- in the upper catchments of the rivers in the neigh- tricts of Assam were severely affected by drought bouring states like Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and IPCC has vindicated these droughts as signa- and highlands of Bhutan and China. Some of the tures of climate change. The intense drought situa- major flash flood episodes took place in Goalpara tion of Assam in the summer monsoon months of (2004), Bordekorai (Sonitpur, 2004), Dhemaji (Ji- 2006 owing to below normal rainfall i.e. 40% has adhal, 2007), Lakhimpur (Ranganadi, 2008), North affected 15 districts at large along with the remain- Kamrup (Puthimari, 2008) and Dhemaji (Nana- ing districts has caused lose of 100 crores due to di, 2009), these flash floods have claimed lives of crop failure rendering 75% of the 26 million peo- hundreds, colossal damage to infrastructure, pub- ple’s agrarian livelihood. Another spell of drought lic and private property and state economy. Over during October 2008 to July 2009 had severely af- exploitation of the ground water resources in this fected agriculture and production of hydropower fluoride and arsenic affected zone may also lead to in Assam and neighbouring states. increased proliferation of fluorosis and arsenic con- Since 1970s the rapid warming recorded in tamination. The southern part of Nagaon district in the Himalayan climate stations has caused the gla- central Assam valley and adjoining parts of Karbi ciers to retreat at an average rate of 15 meter per Anglong form a rain-shadow zone with annual year. Melting of Himalayan glaciers is expected to rainfall as low as 800-1200mm. Water scarcity is a increase summer flows and flooding initially for potential constraint for the people living in these few decades followed by reduced flow as the river areas. Absence of effective irrigation systems or feeding glaciers will recede and disappear from the water harvesting practices adds to the vulnerabil- headstreams. Contrary to that glacial melt run-off ity of the people. Lumding, located centrally in this will increase winter flow in lean season. The main- zone shows a decline in rainfall at a rate of 2.15 mm stream of the mighty Brahmaputra (known as the per year. As a result water crisis might aggravate in Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, China) and some of its this region in the coming years. Impacts of climate tributaries like the Subansiri and the Jia- Bharali are change and rising temperatures will provide breed- partly fed by snow-melt run-off in the trans- Him- ing grounds to vector borne diseases since rising alayan and Himalayan parts of their basins. With temperature increases humidity, Assam is prone to glaciers receding over the years, future lean season malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, cholera to name a flow may decrease in the Brahmaputra basin leading few. to increased water stress and changed hydrological Assam Science Technology and Environ- regimes of the rivers as well as altered eco-hydro- ment Council (ASTEC) is an autonomous council logical characteristics of the riparian ecosystems. under Department of Science & Technology, Govt. As a result agriculture and diverse ecosystems that of Assam for implementation of some of the major sustain a rich biodiversity and food security in the programmes in the sectors of science & technology, state may be jeopardised. Forest ecosystems (espe- environment and remote sensing. Similarly, Assam cially grassland and wetland) on river banks such Energy Development Agency (AEDA) was carved as Kaziranga, Manas, Pabitora, Panidihing and Di- out of ASTEC in 2003 to promote the renewable bru Saikhowa are likely to witness changes in the energy resources among different stakeholders.

25 The Climate Cell of ASTEC has been persistently Gasification plant for thermal and electrical appli- working to combat climate change. Presently, the cation, Suryamitra Skill Development Programme, Climate Cell of ASTEC has been organizing vari- Training on fabrication of fixed type energy effi- ous sensitization programs for Panchayatiraj Insti- cient earthen cook stoves and other renewable en- tutions (PRIs), lecture series of “Popular Talks on ergy demonstration programmes. One of AEDA’s Climate Change” at different colleges of Assam, flagship program has been promotion of floating patronizing media fellowships on print media for platform solar energy in less used water bodies, “Climate Change Reporting”. The Cell has organ- thus reducing the pressure on precious agricultural ized a series of consultation meetings at the Central land. One such plant is running successfully for last and State Universities of Assam to receive inputs two (2) years at Thanagorah Village, Bhurbondha and recommendations for State Climate Change Block under Morigaon District. Action Plan. ASTEC was instrumental in devel- The ongoing Climate Cell’s orientation oping the State Action Plan on Climate Change workshops on issues related to climate change has (SAPCC) which has since then been ratified by reached around 14 districts wherein the commu- the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate nity members are made aware of adaptation strat- Change (MoEFCC), Govt. of India. The SAPCC egies, climate resilient agricultural practices and has assigned various actions under “Knowledge climate smart alternate livelihood opportunities. Management” to ASTEC and several actions under These orientation workshops are building consen- “Access to Energy” to Assam Energy Development sus of the people especially womenfolk to come Agency (AEDA). The actions have been duly prior- up with income avenues like floriculture, wild bee itized in the SAPCC. AEDA has been implement- keeping, planting improved varieties of fruit bear- ing different renewable energy programmes and ing trees/plants, poultry and ecotourism etc. projects of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy By now, ASTEC and AEDA are household (MNRE), Govt. of India as well as Govt. of Assam names in Assam primarily due to their rich basket for the benefit of the community, primarily for ar- of programs and projects spread over three decades eas which are not served with conventional power. that have touched upon the lives of school chil- Few programmes implemented by AEDA dren, general mass, communities, researchers and includes, Solar photovoltaic lighting under Nation- academicians. Needless to say, these nodal agencies al Solar Mission, Remote Village Electrification(off have played a significant role in creating scientific Grid), Roof Top Solar programme (grid Connect- temper and awareness in society, which has been ed), Solar Water Heaters, Wind Resource Assess- widely acclaimed in and outside the nation on sev- ment, Improved Cook stoves , Floating Solar Power eral occasions. project, Renewable Energy awareness and exhibi- tions, Bio mass Resource assessment, Biomass

Turn off electrical appliances when you're not using them – a single computer and monitor left on 24 hours a day will cost over £50 a year.

26 “Air pollution” A growing concern of the country

- Sh. A.M. Singh, IFS PCCF & HoFF, Assam Former-Chairman Pollution Control Board, Assam

World Environment Day, UN Environ- In recent years, air pollution has acquired ment-led global event, is being celebrated as sin- critical dimensions and the air quality in most In- gle largest celebration on environment on 5th June dian cities that monitor outdoor air pollution fail to every year since 1972, where global citizens organ- meet WHO guidelines for safe levels. The levels of ize several thousand events that involve clean-up PM2.5 (Air-borne particles ≤ 2.5 micron in diam- of their neighbourhoods, actions against poaching eter)and PM10 (Air-borne particles ≤ 10 micron and crimes towards wildlife as well as replanting in diameter) as well as concentration of dangerous of forests and preventing deforestation. The theme carcinogenic substances such as Sulphur Dioxide of World Environment Day’2019 is “Air pollution”, (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) have reached which occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes (or alarming proportions in most Indian cities, putting smoke) or odour are introduced into the atmos- people at additional risk of respiratory and other phere in a way that makes it harmful to humans, Air-borne diseases. Furthermore, the issue of in- animals and plant. Air pollution threatens the door air pollution has put women and children at health of humans and other living beings in our high risk. planet. It creates smog and acid rain, causes cancer The adverse effects of air pollution are not and respiratory diseases, reduces the ozone layer just restricted to the urban areas but also impact atmosphere and contributes to global warming. rural areas, where a majority of the population re- Over 50% of the world’s population now lies on kerosene and burning of biomass for light- lives in urban areas, and a large body of citizens ing and cooking purposes respectively. have no understanding of and familiarity with na- With the growing concerns pertaining to ture as it existed in its pristine glory. The result, rising of air pollution, government of India has tak- therefore, is that in a world, which is obsessed with en various initiatives as well as introduced policies greater and greater consumption, there is no un- to address the issue. In order to prevent and con- derstanding of how our actions and patterns of trol air pollution, the Parliament of India enacted consumption progressively degrade and damage the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, the environment. Human beings appear oblivious 1981 on 29th March 1981, which came into force of the ecological footprint of our way of life. on the 15th May of the same year. The Central Pol-

27 lution Control Board (CPCB), a statutory organiza- 2011-2015 under National Air Quality Monitoring tion under the Ministry of Environment & Forests Programme (NAMP). The cities from the State are (MoEF) has been entrusted with the responsibility Guwahati, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sibsagar and Silchar of ensuring ambient air quality and has been given respectively. The action plan for control of air pol- responsibility and power with certain functions to lution in the State are being formulated by Pollu- achieve the stipulated objective. Thereby, the CPCB tion Control Board Assam (PCBA). in association with various State Pollution Control Being the Chairman of state pollution con- Boards (SPCBs) monitors the ambient air qual- trol board, Assam in the year of 2018-19, I had vis- ity according to the National Ambient Air Quality ited almost all the industries of the state and I am Standards (NAAQS) with the help of monitoring glad to throw a light here that presently all the in- stations established in different cities, towns and dustries are very much concerned of the pollutants industrial areas. which causes air pollution and stringent to main- A time bound national level strategy for pan tain all the parameters well within the prescribed India implementation to tackle the increasing air limit. More over my message to all the stake holders pollution problem across the country in a compre- and every individual that being a corporate citizen hensive manner in the form of National Clean Air we should always take care of our environment for Programme (NCAP) was launched by Union Min- sustainable development and to give a green envi- ister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. ronment to our future generation. It is a five-year action plan with a tentative target Furthermore, recent efforts such as the of 20-30% reduction in concentrations of PM10 launch of National Air Quality Index point to the and PM2.5 by 2024, with 2017 as the base year. City need for enhancing public awareness on the quality specific action plans are being formulated for 102 of air they are breathing. A shift towards renewable non-attainment cities identified for implementing energy is part of the plan to reduce dependency on mitigation actions under NCAP. fossil fuels as well as provide clean energy to house- The plan covers 102 non-attainment cities, holds, which are currently using kerosene for light- across 23 states and Union territories, identified ing purposes. It is important that a comprehensive, by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) integrated and long-term plan of action, involving which also includes 5 (five) city/towns from the coordination between different ministries and de- state of Assam. The non-attainment cities of Assam partments, is drawn to address the issue, reduce air have been identified based on ambient air quality pollution and ensure that citizens breathe clean air. data, particularly PM10 obtained from the year

28 “Environmental Acts & Rules in India” – Some salient Features Sh. B.K. Baruah Former-Member Secretary Pollution Control Board, Assam ensuring environmental protection and lays down the legal and regulatory framework for the same. The MoEF&CC and the pollution control boards ("CPCB", ie, Central Pollution Control Board and "SPCBs", i.e., State Pollution Control Boards) to- The need for protection and conservation gether form the regulatory and administrative core of environment and sustainable use of natural re- of the sector. sources is reflected in the constitutional framework State Pollution Control Board is an autono- of India and also in the international commitments mous statutory organization constituted under the of India. The Constitution of India states that it is provision of section 4 of the Water (Prevention & the duty of the state to ‘protect and improve the en- Control of Pollution) Act 1974 with a view to pro- vironment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife tecting the environment and preventing and con- of the country’, and it is the duty of every citizen trolling the pollution of water and air in the State ‘to protect and improve the natural environment occupying a prominent niche in progressive and including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife’. The industrial development of the country. The State constitutional provisions are backed by a number of Pollution control board was also given additional laws – acts, rules, and notifications. The EPA (En- responsibility under Air (Prevention and Control vironment Protection Act), 1986 came into force of Pollution) Act, 1981 to take appropriate steps for soon after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and is consid- preservation of quality of air and control air pollu- ered an umbrella legislation as it fills many gaps in tion. The Board was subsequently given the respon- the existing laws. Thereafter a large number of laws sibility of implementing of other rules framed un- came into existence as the problems began arising, der Environmental protection Act, either directly for example, Handling and Management of Haz- or indirectly as stated here after. ardous Waste Rules in 1989. (i) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Act, 1974 Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is the apex admin- The Water Prevention and Control of Pollu- istrative body in the country for regulating and tion Act, 1974 (the "Water Act") has been enacted

29 to provide for the prevention and control of water rying on an industry or activity; regulating the pollution and to maintain or restore wholesome- location of industries; management of hazardous ness of water in the country by constituting central wastes, and protection of public health and welfare. and state pollution control board to monitor and From time to time, the Central Government issues enforce the regulation. It prohibits the discharge of notifications under the Environment Act for the pollutants into water bodies beyond a given stand- protection of ecologically-sensitive areas or issues ard, and lays down penalties for non-compliance . guidelines for matters under the Environment Act. At the Centre, the Water Act has set up the CPCB It is an umbrella legislation designed to provide a which lays down standards for the prevention and framework for the coordination of central and state control of water pollution. At the State level, SPCBs authorities established under the Water Act, 1974 function under the direction of the CPCB and the and the Air Act. State Government. (iv) Hazardous & Other Wastes (Management & (ii)The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 Act, 1981 Hazardous waste means any waste which, With the increasing industrialization and by reason of any of its physical, chemical, reactive, the tendency of the majority of industries to con- toxic, flammable, explosive or corrosive character- gregate in area which are already heavily industrial- istics, causes danger or is likely to cause danger to ized, the problem of air pollution became a major health or environment, whether alone or when in issue for the entire world. The prime objective of contact with other wastes or substances. In order Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to strengthen the implementation of environmen- (the "Air Act") is to prevent, control and abatement tally sound management of hazardous waste in the of air pollution and for the establishment of Boards country, this rule is framed with the objectives of at the Central and State levels with a view to car- ensuring the proper storage, transportation, re- rying out the aforesaid purposes.This Act counters cycling, treatment and disposal of hazardous and the problems associated with air pollution, ambi- other wastes .The waste generator is primarily re- ent air quality standards and it seeks to combat air sponsible for ensuring environmentally sound pollution by prohibiting the use of polluting fuels management as such wastes. and substances, as well as by regulating appliances (v) The manufacture storage and import of Hazard- that give rise to air pollution.This Act empowers ous chemical rules, 1989 the State Government, after consultation with the The purpose for enacting these rules is to SPCBs, to declare any area or areas within the State impose restriction on the manufacture and storage as air pollution control area or areas. Under this act of Hazardous chemicals as well as to control the , establishing or operating any industrial plant in import of Hazardous chemicals which are not per- the pollution control area requires consent from mitted to import under the rule. SPCBs and each of the SPCBs have the responsibil- (vi) The Bio-Medical Waste management rules, 2016 ity to monitor pollution levels in the atmosphere Under the Environment (Protection) Act and at certain sources by testing the air. 1986, Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, (iii)The Environment Protection Act, 1986 came into force from 28th March, 2016 supersed- The Environment Protection Act, 1986 ing Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Han- (the "Environment Act") intends to provide overall dling) Rules, 1998,which is applicable to all per- protection and improvement of the environment. sons who generate, collect, receive,store, transport, Under the Environment Act, the Central Govern- treat, dispose, or handle bio-medical waste in any ment is empowered to take measures necessary to form.The objective of the rule is to improve the protect and improve the quality of environment collection, segregation, processing, treatment and by setting standards for emissions and discharges disposal of the biomedical wastes in an environ- of pollution in the atmosphere by any person car- mentally sound management thereby reducing the

30 bio-medical waste generation and its impact on the mentally sound recycling. The aim of the rule is environment. to compel every producer, consumer or bulk con- (vii) The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 sumer, collection centre, dismantler and recycler of Indiscriminate disposal of plastic has be- e-waste involved in the manufacture, sale, purcha- come a major threat to the environment. Therefore, seand processing of electrical and electronic equip- to address the issue of scientific plastic waste man- ment or components as detailed in the Rules. agement, the Plastic Waste (Management and Han- (xi)Noise Pollution(Regulation and Control) Rules, dling) Rules, 2011 is there and the objective of the 2000 rule is to give thrust to plastic waste minimization, Recognizing the harmful effect of noise & source segregation, recycling involving stake hold- to abate the noise pollution, Noise Pollution (Regu- ers with intermediate material recovery facility and lation and Control ) Rules,2000 was enacted which adopt polluters pay principle for the sustainability categorize the areas and zones as Industrial Areas of the waste management system. ,Commercial Areas, Residential Areas & Silence (viii) Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 Zones for application of ambient noise standards Solid Waste Management is associated with by restricting the use of noise generating sources. the control of generation, collection, storage, trans- (xii)Batteries (Management & Handling) Rules, 2001 fer and transport, processing and disposal of solid These rules deal with the proper and effec- wastes in a manner that is in accord with the best tive management and handling of lead acid bat- principles of public health, economics, engineer- teries waste. The Act requires all manufacturers, ing, conservation, aesthetics and other environ- assemblers, re-conditioners, importers, dealers, mental considerations. The objective of the Solid auctioneers, bulk consumers, consumers, involved Waste Management Rules,2016 is to establish pro- in manufacture, processing, sale, purchase and use cedures and standards to protect public health and of batteries or components thereof, to comply with the environment by ensuring sustainable manage- the provisions of Batteries (Management & Han- ment of solid waste. dling) Rules, 2001 and sale and use of lead acid (ix) Construction & Demolition Waste Management batteries in an environmentally manner so that no Rules, 2016 damage is caused to environment. The construction and demolition waste ap- (xiii)The Public liability insurance act,1991 plies to everyone who generates construction and This act was enacted to provide immedi- demolition waste which is generated about 530 mil- ate relief to persons (other than workmen) affected lion tonnes annually. The Ministry of Environment, by accidents occurring while handling hazardous Forest and Climate Change notified the Construc- substances and for matters connected therewith or tion & Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016 incidental thereto, through the insurance amount on 29 March 2016. The rules are an initiative to paid by the owner of the hazardous substance. It effectively tackle the issues of pollution and waste was mainly brought up after Bhopal Gas Tragedy management.The purpose of this rule is to ensure that killed over 3000 people & injured many. segregation of construction and demolition waste (xiv)The Ozone depleting substances (Regulation & at source and handling over to authorized authori- Control Rules), 2001 ties. The aim of the rule is for regulating the use (x)E-waste management rules, 2016 of ozone-depleting substances. It also regulate the E - Waste (Management and Handling) production of ozone-depleting substances. Rules, 2016 is framed with primary objective to re- duce the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment by specifying threshold for use of hazardous material and to channelize the e-waste generated in the country for environ-

31 In pursuit of environmental sustenance

Ms. Subha Sen CEO SurasOl Inc

In this article, we discuss a young enthusiastic Indian PSU that dared to dream and its amazingly spirited team that turn their dreams into reality. BCPL and Northeast together can take India to an absolute pinnacle that makes their business better by sustaining the earth and its environment.

Born on the 8th January of 2007, just about 12 years young, one of most promising hydrocar- bon corporation of global India, BCPL personifies the zeal of India’s Clean India mission in every beat of its heart. In their pursuit to deliver business prof- itability, they lay environmental sustainability as their foundation stone etching their vision of assur- ing “best-inclass products & services, contributing to economic growth while remaining environmen- tally conscious” that reflects in their business objec- tive that is “implementation of best practices in the areas of operations, safety, health and environment’.

It’s only for a fortunate visitor to BCPL plant in Dibrugarh to experience such a conscientious On the path of their objective ascertain- endeavour in industrial business practice. BCPL ing the four quadrants of business best practices - showcases a 360-degree quality with an effort to Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment – BCPL set their bar higher in delivering functional activi- is breaking down the fences of conventional tech- ties with exemplary high team spirit being key to nologies that hydrocarbon companies across the this significant aspect. BCPL on their endeavour to world are so helplessly bound by and at the same provide the highest quality to their customers ob- time redefining the rules by inclusion of flexibility tain state-of-art technologies in hydrocarbon value in smart and out-of-box thinking. Creativity is en- chain that propagates environmental viability as couraged in problem resolutions than going back the new and probably the only method applicable to the books of conventional approaches. The same in sustainable technological intervention for profit- flexibility of thoughts and management support able business management. applies to business revenue management and asset restoration in unconventional resource manage- ment that spreads the perspective of technologi-

32 3) India will create an additional ‘carbon sink’ of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of Co2 equivalent through additional for- est and tree cover by 2030.

With its national industries and PSUs participating in delivering such national responsibilities, which were backed by the government, the proto- col & law enforcements and most sig- nificantly by the Comptroller and Au- ditor General (CAG), the nation has rehashed its perspective about India’s resourcefulness in the areas of alterna- tive energy and economics of renewable and re-usable. As a remarkable fallout, cal enhancement and new-concept intervention. the highlight from the usual perspec- Which is why BCPL has emerged as a volunteer tive of India’s dwindling fossil fuels and environ- and often a flag bearer of India government’s three mental atrocities suddenly shifted to a reliance on proactive missions on Vikaas (development), (Sak- India’scapacity of more renewable and viable en- sham) self-sufficiency and Swachh Bharat Abhijaan ergy sources, the green belt recovery and environ- (environmental sustainability). mental security causing the international demand for renewable energy solutions to increase dramati- The Paris accord arrived much later than cally in recent years. expected but arrived nevertheless with inherent fo- cus on a single notation “climate change!”. On 22nd Being young, talented and willing to take April of 2016, the first day, the accord was opened up national responsibilities, BCPL is strongly on for signature, and 175 nations signed on essentially the way to achieve best-optimised environmental three count commitments – abstain from emission, compliances by limiting emission and considering alternative energy resources and carbon sink.“What imminent initiatives to share India’s target of alter- we’ve found over the past three years, since Paris, is native energy resourcefulness. Northeast of India that pre-2020 commitments are not being met (by in any case is extremely affluent in natural resourc- rich nations), in terms of emission reductions and es. BCPL being true to its namesake of the mighty financial contributions," Mandy Rambharos, a ne- river Brahmaputra has geared itself up to revive gotiator on carbon markets for South Africa, com- and uplift the heritage and fame of Assam as one of mented in November of 2018 during the follow up India’s highest pride. meeting of the summit. Where as India emerged, as one of the brightest proponents conforming to its Until very recently Oil & Gas industries three impressive commitments: worldwide has remained conventional in their op- erational approach avoiding B2B integration both 1) India’s greenhouse gas emission intensity in terms of business opportunities or operational of its GDP will be reduced by 33-35% below 2005 integration. Despite being high-technological levels by 2030. SCADA driven reservoir wealth and health analy- 2) 40% of India’s power capacity would be sis, intervening and simulating for unconventional based on non-fossil fuel sources, and most impor- thought-processes have always been avoided. The tantly, trend cost them heavily and to sustain their sup-

33 ply of crude oil or gas, oil companies are looking to extend the life of mature sites but are also compelled to consider alter- native energy possibilities that help them in self-sustainability while being envi- ronmentally compliant too. BCPL, like many international proactive industries, is strongly advocating for best practices in operational performance to ensure the suitable valorization of assets in the form of emission, extracts or discharge that used to account for red money.

The renewable energy industry has matured, with huge investments be- ing ploughed into it globally. Global new investment in renewable energy (exclud- ing large hydro-electric projects) was around US$241.6 billion in 2016, with over 138.5GW of added renewable pow- er capacity worldwide. This capacity is that must go through the entire pre-treatment pro- equivalent to 55% of all the generating capacity and cess in order to be suitable for refining. Additional- was approximately double that in fossil fuel gen- ly, it uses huge amounts of water for de-brining the eration in 2016 (source: EPA published resources). Crude it receives from the pipelines, to be used in Given the possibilities BCPL has the capacity to the steam boilers as well as in its cooling towers for consider adopting technology intervention that condensation where almost 50% gets evaporated would aid in digitization as well as the perspective as steam but, rest would be ready for disposal. The of waste to wealth – by producing alternative en- disposable oily water usually is not suitable for the ergy resources to push itself towards self-reliance. landfills and hence government has imposed strict BCPL also has the capacity and the positive flex- stipulation to ensure proper and adequate treat- ible mind-set to expand its business lines towards ment of the water before being disposed. alternative energy resources, which are viable and suitable considering its geological presence in the Interestingly, only 2.5% of world water is northeastern part of India being extremely rich in fresh. Until very late, across the world fresh water natural resources. Additionally BCPL also is pro- was made available for free. Unfortunately, this is active and courageous to experiment with out-of- still a fact in many countries including India where box applications and technology interventions. fresh water has been used not merely for drinking but for most of the daily consumption require- Refinery Water – reuse and disposal ments. ‘How much water you use depends on each facility,’ said Tom Schultz, an Oil and Gas Mar- Optimistic hydrocarbon businesses like ket Director for Siemens Water Technologies. ‘A BCPL technologists must consider such challenges 100000 bpd refinery might use between 100000 to as opportunities to investigate ways to reuse the 200000 bpd of water.’ It’s pertinent to appreciate disposals and eliminating the hazardous elements that refineries already receive sludgy Process Water suitably for a waste to wealth perspective.

34 enabling ZLD systems employ the most advanced In June of 2015 McKinsey’s global research wastewater treatment technologies to purify and on data integration observed that Oil & Gas busi- recycle virtually all of the wastewater produced. nesses across the world use only 1% of data avail- able from about 36000 sensors and SCADA that is Hazardous Waste in Hydrocarbon hardly any use of IIoT advantages, despite having RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recov- to deal with reducing production rates and con- ery Act) regulation defines hazardous waste as a cerns of discharge management or lack of suitable solid waste, or combination of solid waste, which energy alternatives. On their endeavour to create because of its quantity, concentration, or physi- environmentally sustainable and state-of-art tech- cal, chemical, or infectious characteristics may (a) nologies on the global arena of business possibili- cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase ties especially in restoration of core production in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, and encouraging unconventional energy resources, or incapacitating reversible, illness; or (b) pose a BCPL is collaborating with complimentary businesses that are exclusively focused on reviving the faulty closures and activating the renewability factors of wastes.

ZERO LIQUID DISCHARGE (ZLD) As sourced from an academic article at: https://www.saltworkstech. com“Although the history of tighter regu- lations on wastewater discharge can be traced back to the US Government’s Clean Water Act of 1972,India and China have been leading the drive for zero liquid dis- charge regulations in the last decade. Due to heavy contamination of numerous im- portant rivers by industrial wastewater, both coun- substantial present or potential hazard to human tries have created regulations that require zero liq- health or the environment when improperly treat- uid discharge. They identified that the best means ed, stored, transported, or disposed of, or other- to ensure safe water supplies for the future is to pro- wise managed. tect rivers and lakes from pollution”. India’s conventional industries were setup The process of ZLD system or rather achiev- mostly by the larger riverside or by the sea-ports ing ZLD ensuring 100% water recovery helps the for the advantages of shipping logistics. Northeast- industry in reducing the cost of water in produc- ern part of India has remained rather low-scale in tion system as well as adherence to the stringent terms of industrial development except for Hydro- government stipulations. There could be possible carbon industries with Digboi in Assam carrying yields of various precious solid components like the heritage of being one of the first refineries of the Potassium Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate, Gypsum, and world. Obviously hydrocarbon businesses have to Lithium etc. In fact, the Lithium solid yield from step in to intervene proactively to imbibe possible ZLD system has made possible for PurLucid, Can- best practices and alternative practices in order to ada, a revolutionary discovery of a patented tech- sync with India’s commitments to climate change nology of producing Lithium really fast well as and the efforts. Hydrocarbon post treatment dis-

35 posal and discharges tend to have significant haz- CO2 emissions and other hazardous substances. ardous constituent. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides four following determi- BCPL is already taking up multiple inno- nants to signify hazardous nature of wastes that are: vative methods and state-of-art technological in- tegration. In Northeast’s ecological survival and • Ignitable or something that’s Flammable expansion it has taken considerable initiatives to (any form of petroleum / carbon traces), associate itself with universities and technological • Corrosive or substance that could rust or institutes in order to deliver their corporate social decompose (Water – Tank bottom corrosions are responsibilities. common), • Reactive or something explosive (Reactive Assam is also the proud state from where surely for any exposure to fire or air), the forest man of India Jadav Molai Payeng hails. • Toxic, or something poisonous (Several The Padma Shri award winner has almost single- including CO discharge to be a frequent phenom- handedly turned the flood created sandbars on ena). mighty Brahmaputra into 1,360 acres of reserve forest known as Molai forest after him. The untiring Good news is that status report as of No- effort of this man does not end by just maintaining vember of 2018 issued by the Paris accord gov- these 550 acres of island where 150 elephants and erning body indicates that India is well on its way many other animals including tigers visit regularly to achieve the target for emission intensity of the apart from hosting the highest varieties of bamboo economy and share of non-fossil fuel-based power and long perennial forest trees of cottonwood, but capacity and included details of greenhouse gas he is further busy by extending this forest by an- emission records. There is a target to turn 40% of other 1500 acres of sandbars. the power capacity to non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. In their quest to create responsible corpo- rates of a proud nation our technologists, business The Paris accord report further add “Indian managers, stakeholders and partners representing story sours towards India’s Green India mission the government must learn to handle long journeys when the government is to ensure an additional of hardship and disappointments before reaching ‘carbon sink’ of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of Co2 equiv- their destination of success. Their accomplishments alent by greening India’s forests” where India sup- come from extremely hard work and integrated de- posedly goes down rather than improving. North- livery oriented team but also high motivation of east of India with its veracity of fauna and foliage this team with extraordinary passion and determi- has enormous potential to reverse this indicator nation. BCPL exemplifies such an organization. particularly by increasing green belts and capturing

36 THE BEAUTY OF NATURE

Mrs. Barasha Choudhury Wife of Sh. Ripunjoy Choudhury, Senior Manager (Instrumentation), BCPL

The beauty of nature is at its prime, The smile on her face is one of mine. Her sparkling eyes is as bright as sun shine, Ushering the essence of spring time. The smell of the grass green and moist, The leaves of the trees fluttering in the wind like a sweet voice. The branches swaying hard in the breeze for the dry leaves to foist, The advent of spring is the time to be happy and rejoice. But, is nature safe in the realm of man, Will he serve his purpose and take a stand. Oblige his adherence to something so exquisite, Enjoy and celebrate its ethereal spirit.

37 Fabrication of a household unit for the treatment of drinking water free from emerging contaminants

D. Haldar, , V. Dhadge, C. R. Medhi and M. K.Purkait*

Corresponding author: parts of the country water has been contaminated Dr. Mihir Kumar Purkait due to various industrial effluents. Many industrial ([email protected]), wastewater streams contain heavy metals which are Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, being released into the environment without any IIT Guwahati, India prior treatments. This situation is of great environ- mental concern and immediate actions must be taken to control the deteriorating conditions. Fluoride contamination is a serious prob- Summary lem in several parts of India as well as in different A hybrid electrocoagulation-filtration parts of the world. The acceptable safe limit of fluo- prototype unit wasfabricated for the removal of ride recommended by World Health Organization fluoride, iron, arsenic and microorganisms con- is 1.5 mg L-1.Excess fluoride intake in body causes taminated drinking water. The unit comprised of 3 many diseases such as skeleton fluorosis and teeth chambers, chamber A consisting of an inlet for the disintegration.The presence of iron is probably the water to be treated and an outlet for the treated wa- most common water problem faced by consum- ter along with one block of aluminum electrodes. ers.Although the presence of iron in the drinking Chamber B consisted of ceramic membrane filtra- water is not harmful to human health yet when tion assembly at the bottom over a metallic support present in water it results in bad taste, discolora- which filters the flocks so produced in chamber A tion, staining and high turbidity. The acceptable and chamber C consisting of space to collect the safe limit of iron contamination according to the treated water. Contaminated drinking water con- World Health Organization (WHO) should be less taining mixture of fluoride (10 mg L-1), iron (25 than 0.3 mg L-1.In addition, arsenic concentration mg L-1), arsenic (200 mg L-1) and microorganisms greater than 10 µg L-1is a severe threat due to its (35 CFU ml-1) was used for the experiment. A re- inherent toxic and carcinogenic nature.The full ex- moval of 98.74 %, 95.65 %, 93.2 % and 100 % were tent of the problem and related consequences are at obtained for iron, arsenic, fluoride and microor- present unclear. However, the effects of arsenicosis ganisms respectively. are serious and ultimately life-threatening result- ing in several forms of cancer. It is reported that Introduction co-exposure of fluoride, iron and arsenic can have The co-existence of fluoride, iron and arse- more impact on the integrity of the genetic mate- nic in natural water has raised a severe health con- rial of cells than the individual exposure. Microbial cern worldwide in recent years. India is currently contamination mainly occurs due to the presence facing critical situations when it comes to the issue ofprotozoa, ameba, bacteria and virus. of clean water supply and drinking water quality. In the present study, a hybrid electrocoag- Water supplies are no longer unlimited and in many ulation-filtration setuphas been fabricated for the

38 removal of fluoride, iron, arsenic and microorgan- electrodes were cleaned with H2SO4 solution fol- isms from contaminated water for house hold pur- lowed by rubbing impurities on the electrode sur- pose. The uniqueness of our apparatus is that it has face. been designed solely for the purpose of carrying out the treatment of contaminated water. Procedure Experiments were carried out using the ap- Experimental set up paratus as illustrated in Figure 1(a). A capacity of Figure 1(a)shows the schematic representa- 10 Lwas considered for the treatment of contami- tion of the experimental setup utilized for the treat- nated water containing mixture of fluoride (10 mg ment of contaminated water. The apparatus com- L-1), iron (25 mg L-1) and arsenic (200 mg L-1) prises a reactor (vessel) used for treating the water and microorganisms (35 CFU ml-1). Experiments (chamber A), a flock’s filtration system (chamber B) and a storage chamber for treated water (cham- ber C). The reactor chamber includes a framework, a bottom, a removable cover and two blocks of elec- trodes, disposed inside framework. Each of these blocks of electrodes is mounted on a support. A definite distance is maintained between the sup- ports and the electrodes allowing the passage of water to be treated. Figure 1(b) shows the side view of the set-up. Chamber A consists of blocks of four aluminium electrodes having dimension 0.2 m × 0.07 m × 0.002 m in bipolar mode of connection in a parallel fashion with a spacing of 0.005 m. The size and the number of electrodes to be used de- pends upon the quality and quantity of the contam- were carried out using the above concentrations as inated water. Chamber A consists of an inlet pipe that the occurrence of fluoride, iron and arsenic in on the top and interior arrangement for passage of ground water varies within this limit. Fluoride con- electrocoagulated water to chamber B. A provision centrations were measured using an ion selective is also made to retain larger flocks electrode (Make: CONSORT, Belgium) whereas in chamber A and allowing only the iron and arsenic concentrations were determined electrocoagulated water containing using atomic absorption spectroscopy(Make: Var- tiny flocks to chamber B. Chamber ian). Microorganisms was determined using an B consists of indigenously developed optical density meter (Make: Mettler Toledo). ceramic membrane filtration assem- Electrocoagulation experiments were carried out bly over a metallic support.After fil- in the chamber A for 45 minutes with operating tration, the treated water is then col- conditions of current density and inter-electrode lected in chamber C which acts as distance maintained at 625 A m-2 and 0.005 m, re- a storage for drinking water. A vol- spectively. The outlet of chamber A was introduced ume of 10 L of contaminated water to the chamber B which consisted of ceramic mem- containing mixture of fluoride (10 branes for filtration of the flocks produced during mg L-1), iron (25 mg L-1), arsenic electrocoagulation. After the filtration, drinkable (200 mg L-1) and microorganisms water was collected in chamber C. (35 CFU ml-1) was utilized for the experiment. A Filtrate collected from chamber C was fur- current density of 625 A m-2 was maintained all ther analyzed for conductivity, pH, total dissolved throughout the electrocoagulation experiments. solids (TDS) and concentrations of fluoride, iron, After a set of 5 consecutive experimental runs the arsenic and microorganism to ensure water quality

39 for drinking purpose. Water quality including pH, Filtrate quality in chamber C : The quality of conductivity and TDS were determined using a the filtrate obtained after membrane filtration was microprocessor based water analyzer kit (VSI elec- collected in chamber C. The quality was measured tronics Pvt. Ltd., Mohali, Chandigarh). in terms of pH, conductivity, TDS, concentrations of fluoride, iron and arsenic and reported in Table Results and discussion 1. It may be seen from table 1 that after filtration, Removal performance of fluoride, iron and the treated water quality obeys the drinking water arsenic in chamber A : As observed, initially there specification. is significant increase in the removal of all the con- Table 1: Quality of electrocoagulated solu- taminants from the solution upto a time of 25 min- tion and permeate of membrane filtration utes. Due to the application of a potential difference across the Al electrodes, the sacrificial anode gen- erates the coagulant species whereas the cathode facilitates in the generation of hydrogen.It is at- tributed that due to the high adsorption capacity of insitu generated aluminum coagulant(Al(OH)3), arsenic, fluoride and iron get adsorbed onto the coagulant surface and aid in the removal process. However, after 25 minutes the percentage removal became gradual. After a period of 45 minutes of electrocoagulation, percentage removal of fluo- Conclusion ride, iron and arsenic reaches 93.2 %, 98.74% and A household apparatus (10 L capacity) for the 95.65%, respectively. treatment of contaminated water with fluoride, Hence, 45 minutes of operation time is rec- iron, arsenic and microorganisms was developed ommended to remove fluoride, iron and arsenic efficiently. The process used and the apparatus de- simultaneously in chamber A at the operating con- veloped along with chemical additives such as floc- ditions considered herein. Eletrocoagulation de- creased the concentration of microorganisms from culating agents were successful in lowering down 35 CFU ml-1 (colony-forming unit) to 0 CFU ml-1 the limits of fluoride, iron and arsenic within the within 45 min of operation. However, the solution recommendable limits of WHO without having to pH, TDS and conductivity are beyond the recom- rely on settling basins, clarifiers or complex me- mendable limit. It is noticed that the pH is around chanical means. A removal of 98.74 %, 95.65 % and 8.6 while conductivity and TDS are found to be 93.2 % were obtained for iron, arsenic and fluoride, 0.34 mS cm-1 and 1325 mg L-1, respectively, after respectively. Analysis of the final filtered water the EC treatment for 45 minutes. Hence, the water suggested that the treated water quality obeys the treated in chamber A could not be used for drink- drinking water specification with a pH of 7.8, con- ing purpose after EC and required to be treated fur- ductivity of 0.2 mS cm-1 and TDS of 500-700 mg ther to reduce pH, conductivity and TDS. L-1. The reported design and operating conditions Filtration of flocks in chamber B : The for the treatment of contaminated drinking water flocks formed during the electrocoagulation treat- is useful for fabricating a community based treat- ment in chamber A were analyzed with the help of ment unit for the same purpose. particle size analyzer to know about the particle size distribution of the suspended flocks. Prepared Reference : V. Dhadge, C. R. Medhi and M. ceramic membranes were suitable for the removal K.Purkait, Apparatus and method for removal of of the flocks produced during electrocoagulation in fluoride, iron, arsenic and microorganism from chamber A by filtration in chamber B. contaminated drinking water. Indian Patent No. 286481, Granted on 21/08/2017.

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41 Managing Plastic Wastes for better environment

Sh. Anjan Saikia Asst. Engineer, Pollution Control Board, Assam, Regional Office - Dibrugarh

Plastic, as a synthetic polymer, substitutes soil for which it damages the soil quality, clogging natural materials in almost every aspects of our drains thus disturbs the natural courses of water life and has become an essential part of our so- and causes unnatural flood or inundation, eaten by ciety. Nature has witnessed a considerable inten- stray animals leading to their chocking and death. sification in the production of plastics in last few Littering destroys the scenic beauty of a place, pol- decades and simultaneous increased consumption lutes water when disposed in to water bodies and of plastic materials. The growth of use of plastic even burning of plastic causes air pollution due to has been proportionately increasing the load of release of toxic gases. plastic waste in the environment and is posing se- The following fact sheet is produced to rious challenges before the entire citizens of the have an idea how plastic wastes are damaging our country and also to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) environment:- for safe disposal of such wastes. The plastic ma- 1. The world uses 500 billion plastic bags terials like carry bags, disposable plates and cups, every year. etc. not having resale value are just thrown out 2. 8.3 Billion Metric Tons of plastic has and littered around. This littered plastic waste are been produced since plastic was introduced in the mixed with other (biodegradable and non biode- gradable) solid waste and makes difficult in segre- gation. As per the Central Pollution Control Board, for the financial year 2016-17, the estimated plas- tic waste generation in India is approximately 15000 Tons per day of which 9000 Tons is collected and processed, while the remaining 6000 Tons is usually left to litter the drains, streets or is dumped in landfill. In Assam, the estimated generation of plastic waste per annum is approximately 24,030 Tons. In India, around 43% of manufactured plas- tics are used for packaging purposes and most of them are single use. Average per capita consump- tion of plastic in India is about 11 kg and would be 20 kg by 2022. Plastic, as we know, is not degraded in

42 1950. The amount of plastic produced in a year is appointed by them or registered waste pickers, roughly the same as the entire weight of human- registered recyclers or waste collection agencies. ity. 2. Generator of plastic waste shall be re- 3. One million plastic bottles are brought sponsible for segregation of waste at the source every minute around the world and that number of generation and handover to authorized agency. will top half a trillion by 2021. Less than half of 3. Waste generator shall pay user fee as those bottles end up getting recycled. prescribed by Urban Local Bodies for plastic waste 4. Worldwide, about 2 million plastic bags management. are used every minute. 5. About 8 million metric tons of plas- Responsibility of Producer, Brand tic are thrown in to the ocean annually which is owner: equivalent to a truck load of plastic waste in every Producer, Brand Owner need to work out minute. modalities for waste collection system based on The Challenges/Problems of plastic waste extended producers responsibility and to establish management may be summarized as follows: a system for collecting back the plastic waste gen- 1. Inadequate infrastructure. erated due to their product in consultation with 2. Lack of proper technology. local authority / State Urban Development De- 3. Financial viability. partment. 4. Lack of people’s participation. 5. Lack of collective will. Responsibility of local body and Gram 6. Implementation of Law. Panchayat: In India, Plastic Waste Management Rules, 1. The local body shall be responsible for 2016 as amended 2018 has brought many provi- plastic waste management system and for- per sions and if implemented by the concerned au- forming the associated functions & may seek as- thorities/waste generators accordingly can give sistance from producers to set up the Waste Man- big relief from the problem of plastic waste. The agement System. salient features of the rules are: 2. Promote use of plastic waste for road construction as per Indian Road Congress guide- Prohibition: lines or energy recovery or waste to oil etc. 1. Carry bags made of virgin or recycled 3. Local body or Gram Panchayat shall en- plastic, shall not be less than fifty microns in thick- sure segregation, collection, storage, transporta- ness. tion, processing and disposal of plastic waste, no 2. Plastic bags shall be of natural shade or damage to the environment, and channelization pigments as per IS Code. of recyclable plastic waste fraction to recyclers, 3. Carry bags made of recycled plastics no open burning of plastic waste, creating aware- shall not be used for Packaging food stuff. ness among all stake holders about their responsi- 4. Sachets using plastic material shall not bilities & engaging civil societies or groups working be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, to- with waste pickers. bacco and pan masala. Responsibility of retailers and street Responsibility of Waste Generators: vendors: 1.Waste Generators including institutional Every retailer or street vendor selling or generators, event organisers shall not litter the providing commodities in plastic carry bags or Plastic waste and ensure segregated storage of multi-layered packaging or plastic sheets - orcov waste at source and handover segregated waste ers made of plastic sheets which are not manu- to urban local body or gram panchayat or agencies factured or labelled or marked in accordance with

43 these rules shall be liable to pay fines as specified enzyme that breaks down the plastic bottles. Also, under the bye-laws of the local bodies. the cement kilns are the best suited industries for “Violation of the Rules shall attract penal co-processing of the plastic waste due to its high provision under section 15 of the Environment calorific value. In the cement kiln, temperature Protection Act, 1986”. rises up to 14000C-14500C, which breaks down the Few measures have been already adopted toxic substance of the plastic. Also, 1 Kg of plastic to tackle the plastic pollution, like use of plastic can save 3 kg of coal. (Calorific value of coal is ap- waste for road construction, and incineration, but proximately 3500-4500 Cal/ kg, however, that of in both the cases success is limited. Incineration is plastic is approximately 6500-8500 Cal/kg). Fuel a costly affair and many of the stake holders have oil from plastic waste is another breakthrough failed to adopt this technology due to lack of fund which could solve the crisis of plastic pollution to and other logistics. Incineration is the process of a great extent. burning of the waste in a controlled environment What we need is a holistic approach to the of high temperature and filtering of the fumes problem and collective effort in tackling this issue. before releasing gases mixed with air. The latest Environmental education with respect to plastic technology is called the Plasma Pyrolysis Process. waste management, both formal and non- formal, In this technology extremely high temperature is is vital to changing people’s attitudes to appreci- produced using plasma torch in oxygen starved ating a clean and safe environment and leads to environment which destroy plastic waste efficient- their empowerment in enabling them to manage ly and eco-friendly manner. their waste sustainably. The good news, that has brought some Let’s promise to build a bright future for hope for the environmentalist, is that accidently our environment and pledge to work for its health created mutant enzymes eat plastic bottles. In Ja- so that we can leave a healthy world for our next pan plastic bugs were discovered in plastic bottle generation. dump, based on which they have created a mutant

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45 Responsible use of Plastics for a Sustainable Environment

Dr. K G Bhattacharyya Chairman, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Assam

The first plastic, the totally man-made large plastic items into microplastics is com- polymer, was synthesized in the form of phenol mon on land such as beaches because of high formaldehyde resin (called Bakelite at the time) UV irradiation and abrasion by waves, while by Leo Baekeland in his garage in Yonkers, New the degradation process is much slower in the York, in 1907. It immediately replaced shellac ocean due to cooler temperatures and reduced in electrical wiring (the primary reason for its UV exposure. invention) and in numerous consumer prod- ucts including the body of the old black dial tel- Single-use plastics, often referred to ephones and in early electrical fittings. Since as disposable plastics, are commonly used for that time, plastics have grown rapidly and have packaging and are intended to be used only once now become an indispensable part of everyday before they are disposed or recycled. These in- life. The exponential growth in plastics use is a clude, among other items, grocery bags, food testimony to their versatility, high performance, packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups and and cost effectiveness when compared to various cutlery. The main polymers used to manufacture metallic and non-metallic materials. single-use plastic items are:

Plastic is a lightweight, hygienic and re- (i) The thermoplastics, namely, Polyeth- sistant material that can be moulded into a va- ylene Terephtalate (PET), Polypropylene (PE), riety of shapes and utilized in a wide range of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), High Den- applications. Unlike metals, plastics do not rust sity Polyethylene (HDPE), Polystyrene (PS), or corrode. Most plastics are not biodegradable, Expanded polystyrene (EPS), Polyvinyl-chloride but they degrade under light (photodegradable), (PVC), Polycarbonate, Polypropylene (PP); Poly- slowly breaking down into small fragments lactic acid (PLA) and Polyhydroxyalkanoates known as microplastics. The fragmentation of (PHA). Thermoplastics are a family of plastics that can be melted when heated and hardened

46 when cooled. These characteristics, which lend break into smaller and smaller pieces, until the the material its name, are reversible. That is, polymer chains reach sufficiently low molecular it can be reheated, reshaped and frozen repeat- weight to be metabolised by microorganisms. edly. The microbes either convert the carbon in the (ii) The thermo-sets, namely, Polyure- polymer chains to carbon dioxide or incorporate thane (PUR), Phenolic resins, Epoxy resins, it into bio molecules. The entire process is very Silicone, Vinyl ester, Acrylic resins, Urea for- slow, and it can take 50 or more years for plastic maldehyde (UF) resins. Thermo-sets undergo a to fully degrade. The photo-degradative effect is chemical change when heated, creating a three- significantly low in seawater due to the lower dimensional network. After they are heated and temperature and oxygen availability and there- formed, these plastics cannot be re-melted and fore, the rate of hydrolysis of most polymers is reformed. insignificant in the ocean.

Since the 1950s, growth in the produc- Plastics and the Future tion of plastic has outpaced that of any other material, with a global shift from the produc- The developing countries are turning to tion of durable plastics to single-use plastics (in- increased production and utilization of plastics. cluding packaging). The production of plastic is Plastics are rapidly becoming cost competitive largely reliant on fossil hydrocarbons, which are with most traditional materials of construc- non-renewable resources. If the growth in plas- tion and will continue to be increasingly popu- tic production continues at the current rate, by lar in developing countries. The per capita 2050 the plastic industry may account for 20% consumption of plastics worldwide correlates of the world’s total oil consumption. surprisingly well with the per capita gross na- tional product(GNP) of the country. In affluent Degradation of plastic waste countries such as Japan or in Western Europe, plastics consumption can be as high as 100 kg/ Widely used plastics do not naturally de- person- year as opposed to less than 5 kg/per- grade to a large degree when released into the son-year in the least developed countries. How- environment. This is not surprising since one of ever, on a volume basis, the future consumption the primary reasons for the popularity and wide- of plastics is likely to increase the fastest in de- spread application of plastics is their exception- veloping nations, particularly in China, India, ally high stability and durability. There are four and some countries in Latin America. Among mechanisms by which plastics degrade in the the healthiest markets for plastics in most coun- environment: (a) photo degradation, (b) thermo tries is packaging applications, which is growing oxidative degradation, (c) hydrolytic degrada- at a steady pace, and is consistently replacing tion and (d) biodegradation by microorganisms. conventional materials such as glass or metal. Degradation of plastic in nature begins with Increasing global affluence has encouraged the photo degradation (by the action of sunlight) fol- increased use of disposable plastic packaging lowed by thermo-oxidative degradation (by ac- products in the developing world as well. tion of heat from sunlight and of oxygen in air). Ultraviolet light from the sun provides the acti- The impressive record of plastics in the vation energy required to initiate the incorpora- market is compelling evidence that plastics pro- tion of oxygen atoms into the plastic polymer. vide good value for money. A class of materials, This causes the plastic to become brittle and to only about half a century old, plastics have al-

47 ready pervaded most applications ranging from centivize change and by funding relevant aca- medical implants to aircraft parts. Novel uses demic research and technological developments. for plastics continue to emerge on a regular ba- These measures must be considered within a sis and all indications point to their continued framework of lifecycle analysis and this should success. incorporate all of the key stages in plastic pro- duction, including synthesis of the chemicals Plastic materials have the potential to that are used in production, together with usage bring scientific and medical advances, to allevi- and disposal. Some of these actions are required ate suffering and help reduce mankind’s envi- to be done with urgency; there are diverse en- ronmental footprint on the planet. For instance, vironmental hazards associated with the accu- plastics are likely to play an increasing role in mulation of plastic waste and there are growing medical applications, including tissue and or- concerns about effects on human health. gan transplants; lightweight components, such as those in the new Boeing 787, will reduce fuel The most effective way to address plas- usage in transportation; components for gen- tic’s negative impact on our planet is to trans- eration of renewable energy and insulation will form our modern way of life and adopt a system help reduce carbon emissions and smart plastic in which all materials used can either be reused packaging will no doubt be able to monitor and or repeatedly recycled. This solution – known indicate the quality of perishable goods. as the circular economy – would cut waste, de- crease resource consumption and reduce envi- Responsible Use of Plastics ronmental pollution.

Plastics offer considerable benefits for Policy makers may be engaged for a more the future, but it is evident that our current ap- effective and efficient waste management infra- proaches to use and disposal are not sustainable structure, including promoting integrated waste and are of grave concerns for wildlife and hu- management solutions, stretching national re- man health. We have considerable knowledge cycling targets, at-source separation and col- about many of the environmental hazards, and lection systems for recyclables, incentives to information on human health effects is growing, increase the use of recycled content, voluntary but many concerns and uncertainties still re- industry-led and funded programs and mecha- main. There are solutions, but these can only be nisms to create a level playing field. achieved by combined actions. There is a role for individuals, via appropriate use and disposal, Plastic is a material that can be con- particularly recycling; for industry by adopting stantly recycled, and it is a great help to ecology green chemistry, material reduction and by de- and the economy, especially when the human signing products for reuse and/or end-of-life re- population is growing rapidly and our lifestyle cyclability and for governments and policymak- demands are increasing exponentially. The solu- ers by setting standards and targets, by defining tion is not to ban plastic, but to ensure that it is appropriate product labeling to inform and in- used responsibly.

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51 ÂóÔ¿ï»Ï1 ÕüÅà

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52 Nature Speaks Mrs. Ruli Das Sen Company Secretary, BCPL

Every year on World Environment Day we is a promise of the heights we could reach if we let hear of the larger issues concerning our planet’s en- go of our fears, and flocks in flight teach us about vironment - devastation, extinction, conservation, synergy and synchronization for best efficiency. sustainability and so on. Many of these issues are Tiny as they are, even ants and bees are models of on a scale far beyond the comprehension of ordi- exceptional teamwork which benefits the whole nary people. And often in our contemplation of community. A flowing river teaches us to chart our such impactful issues we tend to miss the smaller own course and move on. Nature’s wondrous can- aspects of the natural world, for one the lessons we vas is inspiration for creativity. The dark of night can learn from observing it mindfully. giving way to dawn is a reminder that all sorrows Nature has much to teach us if only we are are transient. The twinkling stars of the night sky perceptive to the way in which it functions, the urge us to spread happiness and hope with our in- biggest lesson of all perhaps the way to maintain a ner radiance. balance in life: No excesses, no wastage, everything Leaving aside the natural order of things in there with a purpose, the existence of one element which there is no such thing as greed or material- depending on another. Today’s world, torn by strife ism, Nature can however be devastatingly unfor- and enmity, can learn from the harmonious co-ex- giving when its balance is tampered with. Instances istence of all in Nature save mankind. Our natural such as unseasonal floods or droughts, unanticipat- world is constantly shifting, seasons changing, the ed epidemics and climatic extremes are warnings harsh cold of winter giving way to the delights of to treat our environment with respect and sensitiv- spring and moving on to autumn, showing us that ity for an enduring relationship and ultimately our change is the only constant and we would do well very existence. to embrace all of life’s joys and sorrows without On this World Environment Day let us needless attachment. pledge to do our bit to preserve Planet Earth and be Lessons from various elements of Nature: more attentive to what Nature, our first and greatest Deeper the roots of a tree the stronger it is, a mes- teacher, is trying to tell us. sage for us to remain grounded and never forget our origin, our humble beginnings. A bird in flight

53 Ikramul Haque Electric Vehicles – CM (Mechanical), BCPL The Future of Transportation

Owning a personal vehicle was once regard- If the limited range of a battery-run electric car is ed as a status symbol. With change in economic a concern, there is option for “plug-in hybrid” EV. status over the last few decades and easy financing These cars are a fusion of the electric technology facility by the car companies, owning a car became and traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. When much easier and as a result, people have become the battery charge runs low, the car automatically increasingly reliant on their personal cars. We use switches over to a gas tank as its fuel source to reach our cars to get everywhere from work to our fa- the destination. Another type of EV, a hydrogen vorite holiday spot. We take long family road trips fuel-cell vehicle, use electric motors fueled by hy- and we explore new places from behind the wheel. drogen gas. Unfortunately, this reliance is damaging Of course, purpose of switching over to EVs our environment as most cars run on fossil fuels from traditional gasoline-fueled vehicle will only be and more we drive traditional fossil-fueled vehi- served when we are getting the electricity that we cles, more carbon is emitted into the atmosphere are charging our EV with determines the amount of – causing changes in weather patterns, intensifying natural disasters like flood, drought and wildfires and shortening of winter seasons. According to a study, transportation is responsible for almost 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. That means cutting back on how much fuel we use can go a long way in decreasing how much carbon is emitted into the environment. Fortunately, electric vehicle (EV) is an alter- native to the traditional fossil-fueled vehicles and they are gradually getting popularity. Rather than greenhouse gas emissions that we are saving when a gasoline-powered engine, EVs are partially or we plug it in. It is vitally important that we work fully powered from a battery or fuel cell. Few years towards a clean energy economy to assure we are back, EVs used to be a high-tech, expensive novelty charging our vehicles with clean renewable energy, car for the elite but today they are more affordable not power supplied by coal- based plants or other and usable than ever. In addition to being much conventional sources. friendlier to the environment, with the increasing With the growing popularity of the EVs, to- demand and advancement of technology they are day we have more options to choose from as EVs getting cheaper to fuel than a traditional fuel-guz- are now available as sedans, SUVs, hatchbacks and zling vehicle. several other options like buses, trucks, etc. Tesla In most EVs, a battery charge typically lasts has even released an electric semi-truck, proving for about a 150-160 km, which is plenty of mileage once and for all that electric vehicles are the way for most of the drivers (about 80 per cent) who drive of the future. On the stock market, electric car less than 50 km round trip for their daily commute. maker Tesla is worth more than Ford. Volvo has

54 announced that from 2019, all new models will be then. Countries including Norway, the Netherlands powered by electricity. France and India are among and Sweden lead the way in terms of market share a growing number of countries sketching policies for electric vehicles (29% of new cars registered in to encourage EVs. Norway last year were electric). The US, Germany, France and the UK are also significant markets. But The changing scenario of Transport Industry: among developing countries, only China and India have made electric vehicles a clear priority. China is The revolution unfolding in the transport the world’s biggest electric car market, with 336,000 industry holds out the promise of significant reduc- new vehicles in 2016. India is trying to catch up and tions in deadly air pollution and noise, especially in government has set the ambitious goal of having an our fast-growing cities and in the greenhouse gas all-electric vehicle fleet by 2030. emissions driving climate change. But it could also To encourage, the developing countries will deepen global inequality, with the developing world have to consider EV friendly policies like lower im- left choking in a cloud of exhaust fumes, unless port duties and road tax for EVs, eliminating sub- both governments and consumers in those coun- sidies on petrol and diesel vehicles, government tries can realize the benefits of these new, cleaner procurement of EVs for official use and for public technologies. The number of vehicles on Earth is transport fleets, technical standards and subsidies expected to grow to triple by 2050 and this massive for charging equipment and batteries and public growth will be concentrated in developing regions, information campaigns explaining the environ- where increasing populations and improving living mental as well as individual benefits of EVs. standards mean far more people will be able to af- However, switching over to EVs is not the ford their own vehicles. This will raise huge issues around mobility, urban planning and infrastruc- ture as well as public health. Analysts have estimated that the cost of owning an electric vehicle in Europe could fall to the same as a petrol-powered equivalent in the coming one or two years. It has also dou- bled its sales forecast for electric cars, predict- ing they will make up 14% of the global total in 2025, compared to less than 1% now. The Inter- national Energy Agency projects that there could be 70 million electric cars on the world’s roads by

55 complete solution. Changing the power source In India, government is aggressively pur- for cars will not directly ease congestion. Today, suing the strategy for the introduction of electric much of the energy that powers them is still gener- vehicles. In September 2017, the government ex- ated by burning fossil fuels, causing pollution and tended FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufac- emissions. But with the rise of renewables in many turing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles) subsidy to countries, the emissions resulting from the use of electric buses. Many cities are conducting trials an electric vehicle will steadily diminish. of electric buses including Hyderabad, Chennai, Of course, there are other challenges. Driv- Guwahati, etc. Further, Bangalore is planning to ers all over the world worry about the limited (but procure 1,500 electric buses on PPP basis. growing) range of EVs and the availability of charg- Himachal Pradesh became the first state in ing points on longer journeys or in remote areas. India to operate fleet of electric buses on the stretch In some areas, electricity is expensive and supply from Manali to Rohtang (51 km). This is the first is unreliable. A surge in demand from electric cars step towards the introduction of electric mobility might also stretch conventional power grids. in India. The success of commercial operation of But these issues are being addressed in electric buses in Himachal Pradesh will encourage many countries. Mostly, people will charge their other cities to induct electric buses in their respec- cars at home, saving time on visits to charging sta- tive cities. Further, it will also provide some empiri- tions. It is not hard to imagine that every far-sighted cal evidence between the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) of business, supermarket and coffee shop – as well as electric buses, compared to diesel buses under In- highway service station – will quickly install high- dian circumstances. speed battery charging facilities, which will allow The Assam Government is also procuring the EV owners to charge the vehicles as and when 25 EVs under FAME scheme. The trial run for the required. buses are expected to begin from 22nd to 28th May Moreover, once the cost comes down, the world’s growing middle class may swing quickly to- wards electric vehicles. A time will come when it could become deeply unfashionable to drive a six- cylinder SUV when the alternative is a sleek, quiet EV that boasts great acceleration as well as low en- vironmental impact. In the developing world, elec- tric two-wheelers and three-wheelers are leading the way. As a low-cost alternative to private cars, they could help ease congestion, complementing the development of public transport solutions. When we talk about public transport, buses cannot be left behind. Last year, four of the world’s largest bus and engine manufacturers committed to make it easier for major cities to purchase buses equipped with low emissions technologies, includ- of this year and the launch is expected to begin ing electric powertrains. The Colombian capital from 30th May for the first route. Bogota, for instance, has been piloting electric While concluding, it is evident that the EVs buses (as well as taxis) built by China’s BYD. The are definitely going to replace the conventional fos- same company aims to enter bus markets in Africa sil-fueled vehicles, but its impact on the environ- by offering to supply the batteries – an expensive ment will depend on the cleaner sources of energy element – on a leasing basis. which will be used for charging these vehicles.

56 World Environment in context of Circular Economy

“We can’t have an economy that uses our air, water, and soil Pranjal Kumar Phukan CM (C&P), BCPL as a garbage can” –David Suzuki

Improving sustainability may well be the Decoupling economic growth from finite resource single greatest societal challenge of our time. The consumption issue is high on government and business agendas, both nationally and internationally. However, the Consumption and use of natural resources scope and complexity of the problem is causing has generally followed a linear approach. Materials much uncertainty about the best available solutions are sourced, used and finally disposed of as waste. and the required speed of their implementation. Known as the take-make-use-dispose model, this The fact that we need to become a sustainable soci- produces negative externalities that include rising ety is clear, but how, for instance, should we imple- carbon emissions, increased pressures on landfill, ment the agreements made at the climate confer- unsustainable levels of water extraction and wide- ence that was held in Paris at the end of 2015? The spread ecosystem pollution. An abundance of cheap ultimate goal is the creation of a ‘circular economy’, natural resources has enabled this approach to en- in which the re-use of products and raw materials dure. However, as the world’s population grows is maximized and the destruction of value is mini- and resources become harder and more expensive mized. to access, it is becoming ever more critical to find alternative means of sourcing and using materials.

57 The circular economy concept offers a The Built Environment: from Linear to Circular chance to make the step change needed. It aims to decouple economic growth from resource con- The engineering and construction industry sumption. Instead, products and assets are designed is the world’s largest consumer of raw materials. It and built to be more durable, and to be repaired, accounts for 50% of global steel production and refurbished, reused and disassembled. This main- consumes more than 3bn tonnes of raw materials. tains components and their materials at the highest Global demographic and lifestyle changes are in- useful purpose as long as feasible which minimises creasing the demand for these resources, many of resource waste. By moving away from the linear which are becoming scarcer and harder to extract. model to an ecosystem where natural capital is pre- Stricter global environmental regulations aimed served and enhanced, renewable resources are opti- at protecting fragile ecosystems are also making it mised, waste is prevented and negative externalities harder and more costly to extract and use certain are designed out. Instead, materials, products and resources. The built environment is under increas- components are held in repetitive loops, maintain- ing pressure to minimise its impact. A circular ap- ing them at their highest possible intrinsic value. proach could help the sector to reduce its environ- mental footprint, and to avoid rising costs, delays, Minimising negative externalities and other consequences of volatile commodity markets. The built environment comprises the man- made elements of our surroundings such as build- Origins of circular economy thinking ings as well as infrastructure including transporta- tion, telecommunications, and energy, water and The circular economy model has its roots waste systems. Design, planning, and construc- in concepts dating back to the 1970s, including the tion contribute to the quality of the built environ- Club of Rome’s ‘Limits to Growth’ theory, Braun- ment, which has a significant impact on human gart and McDonough’s ‘cradle to cradle’ concept, health, well-being and productivity. Minimising Stahel’s ‘performance economy’, and Lyle’s ‘re- negative externalities is a core aim of the circular generative design’ model, to name a few. The ap- economy. In the built environment these include proach has gained attention recently thanks to the climate change, water, soil, noise and air pollution. Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a charity dedicated They also include less tangible impacts on human to promoting the global transition to the circular and animal welfare, health, employment and social economy. equality. Drawing on these earlier works, the Foun-

58 dation developed the system or ‘butterfly’ diagram sions, air pollution, waste and associated costs. Bio- based on the notion that material flows can be di- logical resources can also be extracted and reused vided into two interacting loops: the technical and via anaerobic digestion, composting or bio-refin- biological resource cycles. Within the biological cy- ing. This generates energy and cuts emissions and cle, renewable and plant-based resources are used, allows more biological material to be returned to regenerated and safely returned to the biosphere the soil to replenish it. Diverting waste from land- — as in composting or anaerobic digestion. The fill, using materials and products more efficiently, bio-economy is a growing sector with the potential and improving air quality could also enhance the to lower raw materials consumption, reduce waste reputation of individual companies and the wider and generate higher-value products for sustainable industry. At the same time it would make cities biological re-use. cleaner, more attractive and more liveable. Within the technical cycle, man-made products are designed so that at the end of their Returning valuable biological nutrients safely to the service life – when they can no longer be repaired biosphere and reused for their original purpose their compo- nents are extracted and reused, or remanufactured Regenerating also includes the return of into new products. This avoids sending waste to biological nutrients to the biosphere through pro- landfill and creates a closed-loop cycle. cesses such as composting or anaerobic digestion. Closing these loops helps to ensure energy and Regenerating and restoring natural capital nutrients, as well as bio-chemicals such as biogas, are recovered. Valuable by-products and other nu- trients or products may also be generated, creating new markets and revenue streams.

Maximising asset utilisation

Optimising asset use can allow the built en- vironment sector to use spaces, infrastructure and vehicles more efficiently. Peer-to-peer sharing is already well established in the car industry where schemes such as Zipcar, Getaround, BlaBlaCar, and Uber allow users to rent out or share vehicles, mak- ing more use of a smaller number of assets and re- ducing negative impacts such as traffic congestion and pollution. In the built environment, asset own- ers can rent out or share under-used spaces, build- In the built environment, regeneration al- ing and construction materials, and equipment. lows for efficient and circular building performance by reducing negative externalities, consumption of primary resources and waste. This helps to safe- Optimising system performance guard, restore and increase the resilience of eco- systems. Net zero strategies; for example, promote Optimised assets, products and systems are low-impact design, materials and operation of as- those which operate at maximum efficiency and sets and buildings. This also helps to reduce the performance. So how can optimisation are achieved negative social, environmental and economic im- in the built environment? The key is maintaining pacts of the built environment – including emis- materials and components at their highest value

59 whilst employing design and construction pro- improve comfort levels. cesses to maximise efficiency, eliminate waste, and promote reuse and repurposing. Implementing reverse logistics

Digital technologies and flexible design Reverse logistics is a closed loop approach methodologies help to optimise the performance that uses remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, of assets, whilst off-site construction and modu- reuse or recycling to recover and process materials lar components reduce waste produced on-site. and products after the point of consumption. In- To eliminate primary material use, components centivised return policies help to drive the flow of and materials may also be reused to construct new materials and products through the supply chain. buildings, repurposed for use in infrastructure or Telecommunications companies, for example, of- transferred for use in other sectors. ten lease phones to customers to ensure they are re- turned. Machinery manufacturer Caterpillar uses a Prolonging an asset’s life deposit-return system to ensure used engine cores are returned. These are then remanufactured and Designing for longevity ensures the long- resold. Collaboration between supply chain stake- term durability, utilisation and value of assets. holders helps to consolidate materials and create Durable materials and robust construction stand- the scale needed to build a reverse logistics supply ards can reduce maintenance costs and extend chain. the economic viability of a building or structure. Standardised components manufactured off-site Remanufacturing and refurbishing products and to higher quality control standards can minimise components the risk of structural faults and reduce long-term maintenance requirements. Designing for longer In the built environment, maximising the life spans also reduces waste and helps ensure as- use of repurposed materials, components and sets are used optimally throughout their lifecycles. structures supports their circulation within the in- dustry and minimises the need for virgin materi- Furthermore, by designing flexible building als. Integrating different construction and demo- cores, developers can enable assets to switch use at lition sites and other industries enables materials a later date – from commercial to residential, for and structures to be transformed or repurposed. example. It contains commercial, residential and Coupled with modularity, disassembly allows for public spaces, and has been designed using exposed the structure to be changed easily and reduces con- services, and adaptable floor plates and internal fit- struction waste. tings to allow for easy subdivision, interactivity and flexibility over time. These elements also facilitate Recycling materials the prolonging of the building’s lifespan. Recovering and recycling valuable materi- Integrated smart services including con- als reduces resource use and minimises waste, and crete core cooling, passive systems that maximise it can cut costs and earn revenues for stakeholders natural day lighting and ventilation, and power and in the built environment. Buildings and structures data systems in raised access floors also help with can be designed to allow component parts to be repairs, maintenance and longevity. Durable ma- easily separated and recycled. terials were chosen for their low-carbon attributes and an innovative tablet-friendly building man- Standardisation of components will also fa- agement system enables occupants to see how the cilitate this process and increase recyclability. De- building is performing, and to alter its settings to signing for reuse has the potential to significantly

60 reduce carbon emissions and mitigate fluctuating carbon strategy. Assets and buildings that adopt materials prices. In the shipping industry, for exam- these strategies can also connect to the grid to feed ple, Maersk has created a cradle-to-cradle passport in renewable energy. This would help to balance including an online database and inventory to help the grid, reduce the need for large centralised fossil identify and recycle steel and other components. fuel energy generation and increase the scope for efficient decentralised systems. These systems also Selecting resources and technology wisely contribute to lowering carbon emissions and the associated externalities created by burning fossil Sustainable energy and materials and ad- fuels, such as air pollution and other environmen- vanced technologies that enable optimised, flexible, tal costs. and user-focused design are slowly replacing static products and services and top-down design and Using alternative material inputs operation approaches. Selecting these resources and mechanisms enables efficiency gains and mini- Changing the way products and materials mises waste and other negative externalities. New are selected, manufactured and used in the built business models such as leasing, performance- environment can lower environmental impacts as based models, and flexible use design also increase well as costs. Biological nutrients and sustainable, efficiencies. Digital technologies catalyse the pace at renewable materials can replace materials that are which new approaches are developed and adopted, heavily processed, and hard to reuse and recycle. helping stakeholders to collaborate and drive dis- Resource Management Company Veolia is work- ruptive changes in how businesses are structured. ing on a project to up cycle sewage sludge into bio-plastic. It discovered that under certain condi- Replacing with renewable energy and material tions bacteria found in activated sludge and used in sources wastewater treatment processes can convert sewage sludge into valuable bio-polymers for the plastic For buildings this could mean generat- and chemical industries. This closed loop initiative ing energy and heat through closed-loop systems not only minimises waste, it also creates value for such as anaerobic digestion, or using wind, solar customers and partners. and other renewables as part of a low- and zero-

Be water wise. It's easier than you think. Simple actions can have big impacts

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62 Lube Oil Management Sh. Amrit Kumar Singh in BCPL Manager (Mechanical), BCPL

Every day maintenance of equipments in mendations of Original Equipment Manufacturers industrial plants includes fill-up or top-off of sys- (OEMs). tems with new lubricants with the intention to Lube oil management should be followed positively impact the life and performance of the with a holistic approach wherein lubricants are equipments. Lubricating oils are very important for considered not as consumables to be purchased at any rotating equipment and its main function is to the lowest price, but as an asset to be managed and reduce friction and remove heat from the surface of nurtured. And the process will not be completed rotating parts. Without lubricating oils, the life and unless the used waste lube oil, which is drained or reliability of any rotating equipment gets dramati- spilled, is disposed off appropriately. cally reduced. On-Site Storage and Handling: Lubricants Lubricating oils are mainly used in bearings should be stored in indoors preferably, located away and gears of rotating machines. There are various from all types of industrial contamination includ- grades of lubricating oil available based on viscos- ing dust and humidity. However, indoor storage is ity. For very high speed machines low viscosity not always possible due to environmental, financial lube oils are recommended and for low speed ma- or space constraints. If lubricants must be stored chines high viscosity oils are recommended. BCPL outside, they should be sheltered from rain, sun also uses various grades of lube oils and grease in and other elements. Storage and handling of lubri- various rotating equipments depending on recom- cants play an important part in reducing waste and

63 ensure the integrity of stored lubricants. BCPL has for handing waste oil and to avoid oil spillage. developed and designed designated area for storage As the equipments runs, regular top-up of of fresh lube oil and used or scrape lube oil. the lubricating oils are required due to change in fil- ters, oil spillage, oil vaporization, etc. which some- times might cause spillage of oils into work area and routed into the Oily Water Sewage System (OWS). And sometimes when rains occurs these spillage oil goes into CRWS (contaminated rain water sewage system). OWS and CRWS are un- derground piping systems designed and maintained and monitored by BCPL. These OWS and CRWS sys- tems are lined up to a modern Ef- fluent Treatment Plant (ETP) inside the BCPL plant premises which is fully functional to treat any oily wa- ter generated inside the plant. This Fig 1. Storage of Lube Oil Drums ETP has a fully inbuilt capacity and technology for treatment of all kinds of oily water or waste water. In BCPL, Lube oil handling and manage- The used or scrap oil, coming from equip- ment is carried out by trained persons to ensure ments, is being sold to authorized third parties. And consistent management, reduction of waste pro- the waste lube oil, although minimum in quantity, duction, and accountability. Also good housekeep- that goes into the ETP is being treated through the ing is an integral part of waste reduction and should different effluent treatment processes and forms be incorporated as a part of everyday routine activ- oily sludge. This oily sludge is then bio-remediated ities. BCPL, as a responsible organization, continu- in a modern facility, and converted to bio-remedi- ously works for taking care of the environment at ated mud, which is then disposed off properly as its best. Various training programs are conducted per standard procedures.

Reduce your waste by reusing and repairing – many items can still be used when you've finished with them.

64 Four seasons of Life

Kaberi Kakati Manager(Chemical), BCPL

I wonder with my eyes open Seeing the little leaves as I born Listening birds tweets, zing of flies Watching Butterflies like unicorn

Stars continues to twinkle bright And sunflowers smiling in sunlight Sang rhymes, paint the trees All I enjoy is nature’s pure bliss

Growing up left no time As they say no time to “stand & stare” Still I enjoyed air so pure & water for worries to cure

All memories gathered in my eyes Blooming flowers & dance of flies It’s time to say adieu What I earned is seeing you

Oh mother nature you are the GOD And caring you only we get the heaven abode

65 Biomedical Waste Management practices at BCPL in reference to Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016

Ms. Sabrina Mazid As per the Biomedical Waste Management Manager(HR), BCPL Rules 2016, notified by the Ministry of Environ- ment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India as per the gazette notification dated 28th March 2016, it is the duty of every “occupier” of the industry i.e. a person who has the control over the Biomedical waste management has recently institution or its premises, to take all steps to ensure emerged as an issue of major concern not only to that waste generated is handled without any adverse hospitals, and other health care institution but also effect to human health and environment. In the to the environment. The bio-medical wastes gener- case of BCPL, which is a hazardous petrochemical ated from health care units depend upon a number plant an Occupational Health Care Centre has been of factors such as waste management methods, type set up and maintained for the workers with the ser- of health care units, occupancy of healthcare units, vices and facilities’ laid down under Assam Facto- specialization of healthcare units, ratio of reusable ries Rules, 1950 and utmost care has been taken for items in use, availability of infrastructure and re- treatment of biomedical waste generated from the sources etc. It is a well established fact that there are Centre and provision has been made within the many adverse and harmful effects to the environ- premises for a safe, ventilated and secured location ment including human beings which are caused by for storage of segregated biomedical waste in col- the waste generated from health care units during oured bins (yellow, red, blue and white) in the man- the patient care. Hence, the proper management of ner as specified in Schedule I and ensure that there biomedical waste has become a worldwide human- is no secondary handling, pilferage of recyclables itarian topic today. or inadvertent scattering or spillage by animals and

66 the bio-medical waste are collected by the con- Radioactive Medical Waste cerned health worker within 48 hours and directly Radioactive waste is waste that contains transported to Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh radioactive material. In a medical setting, this in- for proper disposal of the same. The health worker cludes radioactive therapies for tests such as thal- handling the Biomedical Waste in BCPL has also lium stress tests, and other nuclear medicine thera- immunized its workers against tetanus and hepa- pies to treat certain cancers. Nuclear medicine uses titis B as required under relevant provision of Bio radiation to provide diagnostic information about medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. Onsite the functioning of a person’s specific organs, or to training programme has also been conducted for treat them. the medical staff of Occupational Health Centre Biomedical Waste Management process at OHC handling the biomedical waste. Biomedical waste depending on their type Biomedical Waste means any waste, which is segregated and stored in a safe, ventilated and is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or im- secured location within the onsite Occupational munisation of human beings including the catego- Health Centre, BCPL in the manner as specified ries mentioned in the Bio-Medical Waste Manage- in Schedule I of the Bio-Medical Waste Manage- ment Rules, 2016. ment Rules, 2016. This is to ensure that there shall Classification of Bio-Medical Waste be no secondary handling, pilferage of recyclables In broader perspective, bio-medical waste or inadvertent scattering or spillage the waste is di- classified in to 4 categories based on treatment op- rectly transported in the manner as prescribed the tions. aforesaid rules to the common bio-medical waste General Medical Waste treatment facility. The sharps, IV sets & disposable General medical waste is not typically con- syringes, expired medicines, soiled linen, broken sidered hazardous. This includes paper, plastic, and glass, glass bottles and ample of medicines dis- office waste. These can dispose of regularly and posed off as per rules only. The Centre also main- don’t require any special handling. tains records in relation to generation, collection, Infectious Medical Waste reception, storage, transportation, treatment and Infectious waste is a waste material that disposal of biomedical waste. can pose a risk of infection to humans, animals, No untreated bio-medical waste is stored and the overall environment. This includes blood- beyond a period of 48 hours. If required to store soaked bandages, sharps waste, surgical waste, hu- beyond 48 hours, the occupier shall ensure that it man or body parts, cultures, and swabs. Each state affect human health and inform the State Pollution has comprehensive rules for the management of in- Control Board with reason. fectious waste, including requirements for storage, transport, disposal, licensing, and processing Hazardous Medical Waste Hazardous waste is dangerous waste but is not considered infectious to humans. Chemother- apy agents fall into this category, as well as chemi- cals, such as solvents, mercury in thermometers, and lead in paint. BIOHAZARD SYMBOL

67 are important to be prevented. If the Bio Medi- cal Waste are not disposed properly and scattered in and around shall invites flies, insects, rodents, cats and dogs that are responsible for the spread of communication disease like plague and rabies. The recycling of disposable syringes, needles, IV sets and other article like glass bottles without proper sterilization are responsible for Hepatitis, HIV, and CYTOTOXIC HAZARD SYMBOL other viral diseases. BCPL being a responsible or- ganisation takes prime responsibility to manage Inadequate Bio-Medical waste manage- biomedical waste generated from Occupational ment will cause environmental pollution, unpleas- Health Centre in most safe and eco-friendly man- ant smell, growth and multiplication of vectors like ner. The challenge before us, therefore, is to scien- insects, rodents and worms and may lead to the tifically manage growing quantities of biomedical transmission of diseases like typhoid, cholera, hep- waste that go beyond past practices. If we want to atitis and AIDS through injuries from syringes and protect our environment and health of community needles contaminated with human. Various com- we must sensitize ourselves to this important issue municable diseases, which spread through water, not only in the interest of the organisation but also sweat, blood, body fluids and contaminated organs, in the interest of community.

68 Bioremediation - An Industrial tool for environmental protection

Sh. Nishant Bhardwaj Manager (Chemical), BCPL

Petrochemical plants and petroleum refin- have been developed and tested, bioremediation eries unavoidably generates enormous quantity of provides a very cost effective and environmen- oily sludge , oil soaked soil and effluent treatment tal friendly solution to tackle this problem. These plant oily sludge Which constitute a major chal- technologies, which were considered emerging a lenge for hazardous waste management as well as few year back and are now well accepted in the field environment protection. One way to handle this of hazardous waste treatment. type of waste is to dump the waste into specially constructed pits (secure land fill) with leachate col- What is bioremediation? lection system and a polymer lining to prevent the The term of bioremediation has been made percolation of contamination into ground water. of two parts: “bios” means life and refers to living Transportation of oily waste from generation to organisms and “to remediate” that means to solve a disposal site is also very problematic. Needless to problem. “Bio remediate” means to use biological say those pits are far more expensive. However, it organisms to solve an environmental problem such has resulted in the production of huge number of as contaminated soil or groundwater. Bioremedia- various organic and inorganic chemicals that have tion is the use of living microorganisms to degrade directly and indirectly led to the prolonged pollu- environmental pollutants or to prevent pollution. tion of the habitats. Based on the estimations made In other words, it is a technology for removing pol- by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lutants from the environment thus restoring the only around 10 % of all wastes were safely disposed original natural surroundings and preventing fur- off. ther pollution

Due to stringent norms by regulatory au- The history of bioremediation goes back thority and corporate responsibility of oil and to the 1940s. Back then, scientists understood that petrochemical companies, new and efficient envi- petroleum hydrocarbons could be degraded (bro- ronmental biotechnological process for mitigation ken down) by various microbes. However, what of such environmental problems are continuously they didn't know at the time was how well these in demand. Among the many technologies that microbes could degrade these hydrocarbons, what

69 limited this process, and how it could be made bet- Bioremediation may subsequently enable appropri- ter, especially in aquatic environments where many ate reuse of treated soil and minimizing disposal of spills did and still do occur. waste to landfill thereby providing sufficient pro- By the 1970s, the research into this field tection of human health and the environment. had progressed quiet significantly. Microbiologists knew that nature had an answer. In the same pe- Type of bioremediation troleum contaminated water systems, they knew On the basis of place where wastes are re- microorganisms existed that could degrade (break moved, there are principally two ways of Biore- down) hydrocarbon substances, like gasoline. The mediation. bacteria were already there and they already loved 1. In situ Bioremediation: In-situ bioreme- too much on and digest the gasoline. diation involves treating the contaminated material The scientists also knew that if the right nu- without removing it from its original place at the trients, like oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphate, could site. Bioremediation typically costs less and causes be added to the ground water in the contaminated minimal disturbance to the site as the contami- wells, the bacteria would multiply like crazy and nated material is treated in place without removal remove the toxic gasoline far faster and more ef- from the original site. It is a superior method for the ficiently than physical methods ever could. cleaning of contaminated environments because it Not long after these realizations, scientists saves transportation costs and uses harmless mi- also found out that they could use genetic engi- croorganisms to eliminate the chemical contami- neering to overcome some problems. For instance, nations. Another advantage of In situ bioremedia- some bacteria could break down form A of a hy- tion is the feasibility of synchronous treatment of soil and ground water. However, in situ bioreme- drocarbon but not form B. Other bacteria could diation possess some disadvantages: the method is break down form B but not form A. So what to more time-consuming compared to other remedial do? Why not just combine them to have one super methods, and it leads to a changed seasonal varia- bacterium that could degrade both? That's exactly tion in the microbial activity what scientists did to make bioremediation even more effective. 2. Ex-situ Bioremediation: The process of bioremediation here takes place somewhere out Advantage of bioremediation from contamination site, and therefore requires There are a number of advantages in biore- transportation of contaminated soil or pumping mediation, for example, in hydrocarbon spills (more of groundwater to the site of bioremediation. Con- specifically gasoline), remediation can be achieved taminated soil is mixed with water and other addi- at much deeper depths that cannot be reached eas- tives in a large tank called a bioreactor and inter- ily without excavation. This is much less expensive mingled to bring the indigenous microorganisms than excavation followed by treatment elsewhere or in close contact with soil contaminants. Nutrients incineration, and reduces or eliminates the need for and oxygen are amended, and the conditions in the pump and treat, a common practice at sites where bioreactor are so adjusted that an optimal environ- hydrocarbons have contaminated groundwater. ment for microbial bioremediation is provided. Af- Under appropriate conditions, these pollutants can ter completion of the process, the water is removed, be treated on site, thus reducing exposure risks for and the solid wastes are disposed off or processed clean-up personnel and transportation accidents. more to decontaminate remaining pollutants.

70 Based upon the nature and quantum of 8. Bio augmentation: Microorganisms that contamination suitable bioremediation technique can degrade a particular contaminant are added to is selected for In situ or Ex situ bioremediation. the contaminated soil or water.

Bioremediation Techniques: However, like all other technologies, biore- There are several bioremediation tech- mediation has its limitations. Total Petroleum Hy- niques, some of them have been listed as Follows drocarbon (TPH) concentration less than 8% (by 1. Bioventing: Bioventing is used for reme- weight of soil) can be readily treated. As TPH con- diating hydrocarbon contamination from vadose centration increases above 8%, the rate of biodeg- zone (above the groundwater table). In this tech- radation decreases. nology, contaminated soils having low concentra- tion are treated by supplying oxygen through air in- Bioremediation at BCPL jection wells. Oxygen can also be supplied through Oily and chemical sludge is being generated vacuum extraction wells where vacuum draw air during treatment of effluent coming from various through the subsurface. unit of BCPL Lepetkata. Oil and grease in Sludge 2. Bio slurping : Bio slurping is combination has been analysed and found around 6 % and TPH of bioventing and vacuum enhanced free product was found 11.6 %. Which constitute a major chal- recovery technology and is used when there is a lenge for hazardous waste management as well as need for multiphase extraction technology environment protection. Being a responsible cor- 3. Biosparging: Biosparging is used for re- porate citizen BCPL decided to dispose the oily and mediating saturated zone and groundwater. Like in chemical sludge through Ex- situ bioremediation. bioventing, air and sometime nutrient are injected For this activity an agreement has been done be- into the saturated zone (groundwater) to promote tween BCPL and OTBL (ONGC Teri Biotech limit- biodegradation ed). This agreement is concerned with remediation 4. Bioreactors: In bioreactor process, con- reclamation of oily and chemical sludge gener- taminated material and water are mixed together ated at ETP in a secured bioremediation pit. The and agitated to enhance biodegradation. research on bioremediation through biological in- 5. Land farming: Land-farming involves tervention was initiated in 1992 by OTBL and after spreading of contaminated material (typically over six year of extensive research at TERI, New Delhi, a a collection system to collect any leachate) to allow microbial consortium known as “OILZAPPER” has for good aeration been developed. It is patented product. OILZAP- 6. Biopiling: Biopiles involve forming piles PER is a mixture of five natural occurring bacterial of contaminated material, and pumping air into the strain, which could bio degrade crude oil and oily piles to stimulate microbial activity. sludge, ETP oily sludge and oil soaked soil. 7. Bio stimulation: Addition of nutrients At BCPL for this project a secured pit has and/or oxygen to contaminated water or soil to fa- been constructed as per CPCB guidelines and first cilitate the growth and activity of indigenous bacte- lot of 375 m3 sludge has been taken for bioreme- ria already existing in the soil or water. The degra- diation. Remediation and reclamation of oily and dation of contaminants is monitored to ensure the chemical sludge is under progress. effectiveness of the remediation process.

71 Climate change, global warming and its impact

Ms.Niharika Kakati Manager(Mechanical), BCPL In 2013, share of major polluters is – China – 29%, USA 15% and India 6%.

OZONE DEPLETION Climate change refers to the change in aver- age temperature of earth’s surface leading to atmos- Ozone depletion refers to the phenomenon pheric changes in form of global warming. Primar- of reductions in the amount of ozone in the strato- ily, it is because of increase in Greenhouse Gases sphere. The hole is widened by a combination of and Ozone depletion and increased exposure to powerful wind patterns and intense cold tempera- UV rays. tures high up in the atmosphere creating the right conditions for already-present, ozone-eating chlo- It is estimated that percentage of CO2 has rine chemicals to damage the layer. increased by 30% since pre-Industrialization peri- Ozone is formed and depleted as a natural od. It has resulted into an increase in mean temper- process in presence of UV rays, but it is disturbed ature of .6 degree Celsius. Present level of CO2 in by increasing human activities. The problem of atmosphere is around 392 ppm which is just short ozone depletion is caused by high levels of chlo- of threshold limits predicted by IPCC, which is rine and bromine compounds in the stratosphere. formed under UNFCCC and constituted by UNEP The origins of these compounds are chlorofluoro- and World Meteorological Organization, in its 4th carbons (CFC), used as cooling substances in air assessment report. conditioners and refrigerators, or as aerosol pro- pellants, Nitrous Oxide, and bromofluorocarbons Main Green House Gases include – CO2, (halons), used in fire extinguishers. A large hole Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone and Chlorofluoro- was witnessed over Antarctica, but it has been re- carbons. paired to large extant as a result of steps taken un- der Montreal Protocol.

72 Main effects of Ozone depletion are – GLOBAL WARMING

I. UV rays will reach earth surface leading to Global warming due to GHGs and Ozone temperature rise depletion may have following adverse consequenc- II. UV rays also cause several skin diseases as es – well III. Acid rain instances are also likely to in- I. Faster snow melting and glacier depletion crease as ozone depletion will lead to increase in – Melting of glaciers will put close to half of world’s amounts of hydrogen peroxide in troposphere population under threat from flooding in short IV. Increasing instances of photochemical smog term and draughts, water and power shortages in V. Photosynthesis by plants will also be affected, long run. Siachin Glacier has retreated by around 1 leading to disturbance of whole food chain km in past 25 years. II. Sea Level Rise – Water levels will rise due to melting of glaciers and thermal expansion of wa- Steps taken by global community to combat Ozone ters. Over the last century, a rise of 10-25 cm has depletion are – been recorded and it put in danger the low lying islands and areas. Small Island Developing States I. Vienna Convention for the protection (SIDS) have expressed strong concerns over this and maintenance of ozone layer, 1985 phenomenon. In India also 6,500 km area is low ly- II. Adoption of the Montreal Protocol in ing and IPCC has identified India as one of the 27 1987 as a consequence of Vienna Convention ban- most vulnerable countries to sea level rise. ning the use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) com- III. Water Stress –Global warming is affect- pounds, as well as other ozone depleting chemicals ing the hydrological cycle and availability of fresh such as carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethane (also water. Variability in monsoons (which causes rains known as methyl chloroform), and bromine com- over 100 odd days only) can lead to sever water pounds known as halons. stresses. Ministry of Water Resources has already Target date was set as 1996, with 10 years declared that nine states including Rajasthan, Gu- grace period for developing countries. India rati- jarat, Haryana and Punjab are already facing major fied it in 1992. Currently, US want India and other water deficit. countries to agree upon to include HFCs as well IV. Impact on Mangroves and Wetlands – and move them from UNFCC framework to Mon- 8% of our coastline is occupied by Mangroves. They treal protocol. Under UNFCC developed countries are more prominent on eastern coast as it is wider are required to pay in full for technology transfers, and has many big rivers. They act as carbon sinks, but not under Montreal and that’s why US wants barriers against soil erosion due to sea waves, help them to be moved under Montreal as many of its in mitigating tsunami waves and cyclones and pro- companies mainly own patents regarding HFC al- vide a habitat to a large number of species. Climate ternatives. Montreal Protocol is one of the most change affect salt content and hence affecting flora successful climate change framework of all the ini- and fauna also. tiatives in past few decades. V. Desertification – It is one of the key fac- III. IPCC was formed in 1988 under UNEP tors that may lead to enormous food security issues. and WMO which now works in close coordination Frequent tilling of land without providing for the with UNFCCC. recovery leads to loss of vegetation and soil erosion VI. Food Insecurity – The stress over water resources and the rising sea levels when combined with increasing erratic rainfall will have a direct impact on food security. It is estimated that a 2 de-

73 gree rise in temperature will lead to 17% decrease regions in the range of 18-30 degree Celsius. Due in yield of wheat. to rise in temperature and dissolved carbonic acid VII. Climate change is causing around 3, due to higher concentration of CO2, corals start to 00,000 deaths every year in present scenario which lose their color. Another reason of bleaching is in- is expected to escalate to 5, 00,000 deaths by 2030. creased exposure to UV rays due to Ozone deple- VIII. It will also lead to change in composi- tion. tion of atmospheric gases, change in hydrological XII. Spread of Tropical Diseases – As tropi- cycle as well. cal climate expands with global warming, even IX. Global warming itself can cause further European countries will witness spread of tropical increase in ozone depletion in a vicious cyclical diseases like Malaria. manner. XIII. Inconsistent Rainfalls, winter rainfall X. Deforestation – Colonial policies did in polar areas much harm to forests of India which were exploited XIV. Increase in fog days, variable sunshine for wood. Among all forests, tropical evergreen for- and clouds ests are the one which are the most exploited. Big- XV. Biomes will shift pole wards gest harm was done to the temperate areas as they were the ones which were cleared during Industri- Steps taken by global community to fight alization in European countries. Post independence global warming are – Forest Conservation Act 1980 was enacted to arrest this decline in forest land. This act has been imple- I. IPCC was formed in 1988 under UNEP mented to check diversion of forest land for other and WMO which now works in close coordination purposes. Increase in temperature increases pest with UNFCCC. attacks and fire incidents. It is also observed that II. Earth Summit, 1992 – Agenda 21 dealt vegetation mix changes due to climate change. For with sustainable development while UNFCCC was example – in Nilgiri Hills it is observed that Mon- a legally bounding convention specifically address- tane vegetation is declining and it is being replaced ing the issue of climate change. by deciduous and semi-evergreen type vegetation. III. Kyoto Protocol, 1997 – It was a specific Currently forest cover stands at 19% in India. legally binding agreement to address the problem XI. Coral Bleaching – Corals are a result of global warming as a part of UNFCCC and emis- of symbiotic existence of coral polyps and zoox- sions cuts by 5% by Annex 1 countries. anthellae. Zooxanthellae give colour to the polyps. IV. REDD+ Corals are bred in highly temperature sensitive

Don't waste food

74 DO WE REALLY NEED A DAY FOR ENVIRONMENT ?

Sh. Arindam Bordoloi Manager(Mechanical), BCPL

When we say “Environment”, we basically refer to the various conditions surrounding us which affect our survival as well as quality of liv- ing directly or indirectly in a number of ways. So then, what made it necessary for us to celebrate a day specifically dedicating to our environment? but a clear indication of the fact that environmental degradation is nearing its zenith and most the peo- The initiation began in 1972 when UN ple around the world are now seriously concerned General Assembly established the World Environ- about the threat ahead. ment Day and on 5th of June 1974, the first World Environment Day was held thereby emphasizing But the biggest question lies in the fact that on environmental issues from pollution, human who has been responsible for such a level of envi- overpopulation, global warming, sustainable living, ronmental degradation that has put a question on wildlife crimes etc. Since then it is being celebrated the survival of life process itself on this planet. I be- annually with a dedicated theme every year. World lieve none of us shall deny the fact that, none other Environment Day, is now popular in every nook than we humans- the most intelligent of all species and corner of the world and series of events and , are one and only responsible for it. The process of activities are undertaken by different organisations, Industrialisation and the continuous development government agencies, schools, colleges and com- in science and technology has undoubtedly raised mon public as well which includes plantation pro- the parameters of ease and comfort in human life grammes, environmental awareness programmes, to such a level that almost everything can now rallies, slogans, posters, banners etc. It is nothing be get done by merely a few clicks on a mobile or

75 computer screen. Cooked food are instantly made ually depleted the fertility of our farm fields and available at one's doorsteps, communication across at same time has also been responsible for serious the oceans are made possible within the fraction of health hazards. Various species of organisms are at a second and now, even we are ready to conquer brink of extinction owing to shrinking habitat and and colonise other planets as well. But have we ever ecological imbalance. These are only a glimpse of the manmade degradation of our en- vironment.

So then here comes the con- traction to the path of advancement in human civilisation. How are we to justify the required development? Should we not seek for improvement and upgradation ? The basic fact in this regard that has be kept in mind is that finally a healthy and sustain- able environment is the primary requisite for sustenance of life pro- cess in this planet and that develop- ment only holds good if we sustain. And a healthy environment can only thought of the matter that, what cost are we bearing be assured through proper balance in our ecology. for this range of modernisation and development? The realisation of this truth has finally led us to ob- servation of a dedicated day for protecting our en- Every activity involved in the process of vironment and such other initiatives. But have we mechanisation and technological up gradation are been really successful? in one way or the other a contributing factor to im- pact on the environment. Numerous trees are cut It’s a bitter truth that majority of the events down either to cater the need of various items of hu- and activities under the banner of World Environ- man use or to accommodate land for shelter and food for human. Huge forests have been cleared to create agricultural lands, industrials areas, roads and what not. Millions of machines are running 24x7 to make our lives comfortable and luxuri- ous that consumes enormous amount of energy thereby escalating the impact of global warming. Ease of packaging brought about by use of plas- tics has now finally resulted in the contamination of our oceans and degradation of marine ecology. Use of excessive chemical in agriculture has grad-

76 ment Day are often limited to 5th of June every year sincerely towards bringing about environmental and these become obsolete as well as irrelevant for consciousness and inculcating several eco friend- the rest of the year. Thousands of trees planted on ly practices amongst the mass. Names like WWF, 5th of June rarely make it to the next World En- EEA, UNEP, ESGP, GGGI, IUCN and several oth- vironment Day. Same with the other activities as ers are popularly known for their remarkable ef- well. In other words, it can be said that we harm the forts. Even in India WTI, BNHS etc and NGOs like environment for 364 days and try to protect it in a AARANYAK, NATURES BECKON etc. in Assam single day. By saying so I am not trying to say that are working tirelessly in this aspect. I have also that Environment Day has got no relevance and im- been fortunate enough to be a part of an organi- pact. But contrary to that it must be our endeavour sation named AAKINCHAN FOUNDATION and to work with the same zeal round the year. Minor have been involved in initiatives to raise aware- changes in our habits and life style can, in reality, ness on importance of bio diversity and ecological bring about drastic changes in the ecological sce- balance so as to realise a better tomorrow for our nario. Small efforts such as planting and caring the coming generations. We have been attempting to trees around us, minimising energy consumption, connect our lives with nature through plantation reducing use of single use plastics, growing one’s drives, wildlife photography and documentation as own vegetables, reducing consumption of pack- well as mitigation of human animal conflicts. aged products, reuse and recycle of plastic prod- ucts, adopting cleaner technologies, living more Finally, it is evident that most of the envi- close to nature etc. are commonly discussed meas- ronmental issues are consequences of manmade ures to fight environmental pollution, but unfortu- causes. As such it is our moral responsibility to take nately scantily practiced. It can be a game changing the call and contribute towards fixing this problem revolutionary measure to tackle the environmental at individual as well as organisational level through threats if each one us take a little pain to practice our superior wisdom. This year in 2019 the theme such small habits in our day to day life. Only then of World Environment Day is “Air Pollution”. So, I believe, we shall be able to realise the motto of let's pledge to walk hand in hand and put our sin- World Environment Day. cere efforts in reducing the impact of Air Pollution and let some fresh air penetrate our lives. Hope we In this context it is worth mentioning that shall be able to eliminate the necessity of an Envi- numerous voluntary organisations at international, ronment Day in our near future. national ,regional and grass-root level are working

Use bicycles for travelling short distances.

77 Âõ±ûþÅ ›¶ðÓÃø¸í Õ±1n¸ ÷±ò» ¦¤±¦šÉ ëÂ0 æÅÿ1 ÷¿ò ÂõëÂÿ± ÕÂó±Ë1éÂ1 [›¶Ëûþ±á ú±ù±] ¿Âõ.¿äÂ.¿Âó.Ûù. ›¶ðÓÃø¸í1 fl¡±1ÀÌ ˜‘Ó≈¬… ˜≈‡Ó¬ ¬ÛÀ1º õ∂øÓ¬ 10 Ê√Ú1 9 Ê√ÀÚ˝◊ ›¶ðÓÿø¸î¬ ¬ı±˚˛≈ Œ¸ªÚ fl¡À1º Ê√Ú¸—‡…± ø¬ıÀ¶£¬±1Ì, ø鬛¶ Î◊¬À√…±·œfl¡1Ì, ’¬Ûø1fl¡øäÓ¬ ^n∏Ó¬ Ú·1œfl¡1Ì, ˚±Ú-¬ı±˝√√Ú1 ¬ıU˘ ¬ı…ª˝√√±1, Ê√œªÚ ¸±•xøÓ¬fl¡ ¸˜˚˛Ó¬ ¬Û‘øÔªœ1 ¸˜ô¶ Ê√œªfl≈¡˘1 ˘·ÀÓ¬ ˜±Úª Ò±1Ì õ∂̱˘œ1 ¬Ûø1ªÓ¬«Ú ˝◊Ó¬…±ø√ ø¬ıøˆ¬iß fl¡±1ÌÓ¬ ’±ø˜ Œ¸ªÚ ¸ˆ¬…Ó¬±fl¡ ø¬ı¬Ûiß fl¡ø1¬ı ¬Û1± ’±È¬±˝◊Ó¬Õfl¡ &1n∏Q¬Û”Ì« ø¬ı¯∏˚˛ÀȬ±Àª˝◊ fl¡1± ¬ı±˚˛≈ ø¬ı¬Û√Ê√Úfl¡ˆ¬±À¬ı õ∂≈√ø¯∏Ó¬ Õ˝√√ÀÂ√º ø¬ıù´ ¶§±¶ö… ¸—¶ö±1 ˝√√í˘ S꘬ıX«˜±Ú ¬Ûø1À¬ı˙ ›¶ðÓÃø¸í ’±1n∏ õ∂fl‘¡øÓ¬1 ›¬Û1Ó¬ ˝◊˚˛±1 ˜ÀÓ¬ ¬ı±˚˛≈ õ∂≈√¯∏Ì1 Â√˚˛È¬± ˜”˘ fl¡±1fl¡ ˝√√í˘ - fl¡±¬ı«Ú ˜Ú-’'±˝◊ά, ø¬ı1+¬Û õ∂ˆ¬±ªº ˜±Úª ¸ˆ¬…Ó¬±fl¡ ¬Ûø1Àª˙1 ¤˝◊ ¸—fl¡È¬1 fl¡Ô± ’±1n∏ Â√±˘Ù¬±1 ’'±˝◊ά, Ú±˝◊CÀÊ√Ú ’'±˝◊ά, ˘œÎ¬, ˆ”¬-¬Û‘á¬1 ’íÊ√Ú ˝◊˚˛±1 &1n∏QÓ¬±fl¡ Î◊¬¬Û˘øt fl¡À1±ª±1 Î◊¬ÀVÀ˙…˝◊ õ∂øÓ¬¬ıÂ√À1 5 (Ground Level Ozone) ’±1n∏ é≈¬^ é≈¬^ fl¡øÌfl¡±˚≈Mê ¬Û√±«Ô Ê√≈Ú Ó¬±ø1‡ÀȬ± 1±©Ü™¸—‚˝◊ ˝◊˚˛±1 ¸√¸… 1±©Ü™¸˜”˝√√1 Ê√ø1˚˛ÀÓ¬ ëø¬ıù´ (Particulate Matter)º ¬ı±˚˛≈ õ∂≈√¯∏Ì1 fl¡±1fl¡ ¸˜”˝√√1 ›¬Û1Ó¬ ¬Ûø1Àª˙ ø√ª¸í ø˝√√‰¬±À¬Û ’Ú≈øá¬Ó¬ fl¡ø1 ’±ø˝√√ÀÂ√º ¤øÓ¬˚˛±1¬Û1± øˆ¬øM√√√ fl¡ø1 ˝◊˚˛±fl¡ ≈√Ȭ± õ∂Ò±Ú ˆ¬±·Ó¬ ˆ¬±· fl¡1± Õ˝√√ÀÂ√ - ’ˆ¬…ôL1œÌ ‰¬±ø1Ȭ± √˙fl¡1 ’±·ÀÓ¬˝◊ 1972 ‰¬Ú1 5-16 Ê√≈ÚÕ˘ Â≈√˝◊ÀάÚ1 ¬ı±˚˛≈ õ∂≈√¯∏Ì (Indoor Air Pollution) ’±1n∏ ¬ı±ø˝√√…fl¡ ¬ı±˚˛≈ õ∂≈√¯∏Ì ©Üfl¡˝√√˜ Ú·1œÓ¬ 1±©Ü™¸—‚1 ¬Û‘á¬À¬Û±¯∏fl¡Ó¬±Ó¬ ¬Ûø1Àª˙ ¸Ê√±·Ó¬± (Outdoor Air Pollution)º ¸•Û«fl¡œ˚˛ ¤fl¡ ˜˝√√± ¸øij˘ÚÓ¬ ø¬ıù´1 113 ‡Ú Œ√˙1 ŒÚÓ‘¬¬ı·«˝◊ ’±ˆ¬…ôL1œÌ ¬ı±˚ ˛≈›¶ðÓÃø¸í1 fl¡±1fl¡ ¸˜”˝√√ - ¬Ûø1Àª˙ ¸•Û«Àfl¡ ø¬ıÓ¬—ˆ¬±À¬ı ’±À˘±‰¬Ú± fl¡ø1øÂ√˘º ŒÓ¬øÓ¬˚˛±1 ¬Û1±˝◊ 1] ‚1Ó¬ ¬ı…ª˝√√±1 Œ˝√√±ª± 1±¸±˚˛øÚfl¡ ^¬ı…¸˜”˝√√º õ∂øÓ¬ ¬ıÂ√À1 5 Ê√≈Ú Ó¬±ø1‡ÀȬ±Ó¬ ¤Àfl¡± ¤Àfl¡±È¬± ÚÓ≈¬Ú ëø¬ı¯∏˚˛¬ıdí Õ˘ 2] øÚ˜±«Ìfl¡±˚«…Ó¬ ¬ı…ª˝√√+Ó¬ ¸±˜¢∂œ Œ˚ÀÚ ¤Â√À¬ıÂ√ȬÂ√, ø¬ıù´ ¬Ûø1Àª˙ ø√ª¸ ø˝√√‰¬±À¬Û ¬Û±˘Ú fl¡ø1 ’˝√√± Õ˝√√ÀÂ√º ¤˝◊¬ıÂ√1 ‰¬œÀÚ Ù¬1À˜˘øά˝√√±˝◊√, ˘œÎ¬ ˝◊Ó¬…±ø√º ë¬ı±˚˛≈ ›¶ðÓÃø¸íífl¡ ˜≈˘ ø¬ı¯∏˚˛¬ıd (Theme) ø˝√√‰¬±À¬Û Õ˘ Œ·±˘fl¡œ˚˛ 3] ø‰¬·±À1Ȭ1 ŒÒ±“ª±º ø¬ıù´ ¬Ûø1Àª˙ ø√ª¸ ’±À˚˛±Ê√Ú fl¡ø1ÀÂ√º 4] 1±gøÚ˙±˘Ó¬ Î◊¬»¬Ûiß Œ˝√√±ª± ŒÒ±“ª± ’±1n∏ Œ·Â√¸˜”˝√√º ¬ıÓ¬«˜±Ú ¸˜˚˛Ó¬ ›¶ðÓÿø¸î¬ ¬ı±˚˛≈ Œ¸ªÀÚ Ê√Ú¶§±¶ö…1 õ∂øÓ¬ 5] 1±¸±˚˛øÚfl¡ fl¡œÈ¬Ú±˙fl¡ fi¯∏Ò ˝◊Ó¬…±ø√º ˆ¬±¬ı≈øfl¡1 ¸‘ø©Ü fl¡ø1ÀÂ√º õ∂øÓ¬¬ıÂ√À1 ø¬ıù´Ó¬ õ∂±˚˛ 7 ø˜ø˘˚˛Ú ˜±Ú≈˝√√ ¬ı±˚˛≈ ëÂ׬ÛÀ1±Mê fl¡±1fl¡¸˜”À˝√√ ¬ıg Àfl¡±Í¬±1 øˆ¬Ó¬11 ¬ı±˚˛≈1 ˘·Ó¬

78 ø˜˝√√ø˘ Õ˘ ¶§±¶ö…Ê√øÚÓ¬ ¸˜¸…±1 ¸‘ø©Ü fl¡À1º 1±Ê√Ò±Úœ ÚÓ≈¬Ú ø√~œÓ¬ ˆ¬˚˛±¬ı˝√√ õ∂≈√¯∏Ì øÚ˚˛LaÌ1 ¬ı±À¬ı ˆ¬±1Ó¬Ó¬ ¬ı±ø˝√√…fl¡ ¬ı±˚˛≈ õ∂≈√¯∏Ì1 fl¡±1fl¡¸˜”˝√√ - 1981 ‰¬ÚÀÓ¬˝◊ ¬ı±˚˛≈ ›¶ðÓÃø¸í õ∂øÓ¬À1±Ò ’±1n∏ øÚ˚˛LaÌ ’±˝◊Ú ·‘˝√√œÓ¬ 1] ŽÅÂ^ fl¡øÌfl¡±˚≈Mê ¬Û√±Ô« (Particulate Matter) – Õ˝√√øÂ√˘ ˚ø√› 2013 ‰¬Ú1 ¬Ûø1Àªø˙fl¡ ðÃŽÂî± ¸”‰¬±—fl¡1 ¿ö¿MÃÃî Ê√œª±ù¨ ˝◊gÚ Œ˚ÀÚ - fl¡˚˛˘±, Œ¬ÛCø˘˚˛±˜ ’±ø√ √˝√√Ú1 Ù¬˘Ó¬ 178 ‡Ú Œ√˙1 øˆ¬Ó¬1 ˆ¬±1ÀÓ¬ 155 Ó¬˜ ¶ö±ÚÀ˝√√ ¬Û±˝◊ÀÂ√º ˝◊À˚˛ Î◊¬»¬Ûiß Œ˝√√±ª± ¤˘±i§≈+Ê√±Ó¬œ˚˛ ¬Û√±Ô«¸˜”˝√√º ¶Û©Ü fl¡ø1 ø√À˚˛ Œ˚ ˆ¬±1ÀÓ¬ ¤˝◊Àé¬SÓ¬ ¬ıUÓ¬ fl¡ø1¬ı˘·± ’±ÀÂ√º 2] ø¬ı¯∏±Mê Œ·Â√¸˜”˝√√ – Œ˚ÀÚ - Â√±˘Ù¬±1 ’'±˝◊ά, Ú±˝◊CÀÊ√Ú ø¬ıù´ ¶§±¶ö… ¸—¶ö±1 ˜ÀÓ¬ ø¬ıù´1 ’±È¬±˝◊Ó¬Õfl¡ õ∂≈√ø¯∏Ó¬ 20 ‡Ú ’'±˝◊ά, 1±¸±˚˛øÚfl¡ ¬ı±©Û, fl¡±¬ı«Ú1 ’'±˝◊ά¸˜”˝√√ ˝◊Ó¬…±ø√º fl¡˘- ˜˝√√±Ú·11 øˆ¬Ó¬1Ó¬ 13 ‡ÀÚ˝◊ ˆ¬±1Ó¬1º ’±øÊ√1 ’Ó¬…±Ò≈øÚfl¡ fl¡±1‡±Ú±1 ŒÒ±“ª±, ˚±Ú-¬ı±˝√√Ú1 ¬Û1± Î◊¬»¬Ûiß Œ˝√√±ª± ŒÒ±“ª±¸˜”˝√√ ¤˝◊ õ∂˚≈øMê1 ø√ÚÓ¬ ¬ı±˚˛≈ ›¶ðÓÃø¸íßÁ¡ ¸•Û”Ì«1+À¬Û øÚ˜”«˘ fl¡1± ¸yª Ú˝√√˚˛ Œ|Ìœ1º ˚ø√› ˝◊˚˛±fl¡ øÚ˚˛LaÌ fl¡ø1 1±ø‡¬ı ¬Û±1± ˚±¬ı ˚ø√À˝√√ õ∂ÀÓ¬…fl¡Ê√Ú 3] ˆ”¬-¬Û‘á¬1 ’íÊ√Ú (Ground Level Ozone) – ˜±ÚÀª ˝◊˚˛±1 &1n∏QÓ¬±fl¡ Î◊¬¬Û˘øt fl¡À1º ¬ı‘é¬À1±¬ÛÚ (Planta- ¬ı±˚˛≈˜G˘Ó¬ Ôfl¡± Ú±˝◊CÀÊ√Ú1 ’'±˝◊ά¸˜”À˝√√ (Nox) Î◊¬¡Z±˚˛œ˜±Ú tion) ¬ı±˚˛≈ ›¶ðÓÃø¸í Œ1±Ò1 ’±È¬±˝◊Ó¬Õfl¡ Î◊¬M√√√˜ Î◊¬¬Û±˚˛º ·Â√-·Â√øÚÀ˚˛ ÕÊ√øªfl¡ Œ˚÷¸˜”˝√√1 (Volatile Organic Compound) ¸±À˘±fl¡-üÑ˝ùø¸í (Photo Synthesis) ¬¡Z±1± ¬ı±˚˛≈˜G˘1

˘·Ó¬ üÓûÇÉ1 Œ¬Û±˝√√1Ó¬ ø¬ıøSê˚˛± fl¡ø1 ¤˝◊ø¬ıÒ ¸øSê˚˛ Œ˚÷1 ¸‘ø©Ü ¬Û1± fl¡±¬ı«Ú-ά±˝◊ ’'±˝◊ά (Co2) ∆˘ ’±˜±Õ˘ ’ø'ÀÊ√Ú1 (O2) fl¡À1º Î◊¬˙±˝√√Ó¬ Œ˘±ª± ’íÊ√ÀÚ ¬ı≈fl≈¡1 ø¬ı¯∏, fl¡±˝√√“, øάø„√√1 ¸˜¸…±, Œ˚±·±Ú ÒÀ1º ’øÓ¬˜±S±Ó¬ ¬ı‘é¬ Œ1±¬ÛÀÚ ˝√√˚˛ÀÓ¬± ¤˝◊ Ò≈Úœ˚˛± ¬ıË—fl¡±˝◊øȬÂ√, ¤Ê√˜± ’±ø√ Ú±Ú±Ú ¸˜¸…±1 ¸‘ø©Ü fl¡ø1¬ı ¬Û±À1º Ò1Ìœ‡Úfl¡ Œ¸Î◊¬Ê√ ·‘˝√√ õ∂ˆ¬±ª ’±1n∏ Œ·±˘fl¡œ˚˛ Î◊¬¯∏ûÓ¬± (Global 4 ] ÎîÂæÿ¦aûþ 1øù¨1 ø¬ıøfl¡1Ì – Ú±Ú± Ò1Ì1 ø¬ıÀ¶£¬±1fl¡ ’±1n∏ Warming) ¬ı‘øX1 ¬Û1± ’˘¬Û ˝√√À˘› 1鬱 fl¡ø1¬ı ¬Û±ø1¬ıº fl¡˘- ’±Ìøªfl¡, ‰≈¬˘±1 ¬ı…ª˝√√±À1 ÎîÂæÿ¦aûþ˛ 1øù¨ Œ˚ÀÚ a, ß, g [’±˘Ù¬±, fl¡±1‡±Ú± ¸˜”˝√√1 ¬Û1± øÚ·«Ó¬ Œ˝√√±ª± ÎñÒ±»±ü÷ÓýÃÃ√√ ›‡ ø‰¬˜Úœ ¬ı… ø¬ıȬ±, ·±˜±] ’±ø√1 ˘·ÀÓ¬ Œfl¡Î¬ø˜˚˛±˜, Œ1øά√˚˛±˜, Œˆ¬Ú±øά˚˛±˜ ª˝√√±1 fl¡ø1 ˆ”¬-¬Û‘á¬1 ¬Û1± ¬ıU ›¬Û1Ó¬ ¤ø1 ø√˚˛±1 ¬ı…ª¶ö± fl¡ø1À˘ ’±ø√ ø¬ı¯∏±Mê Ò±Ó≈¬ øÚ·«Ó¬ fl¡À1º ¤˝◊¬ı±1 fl¡fl¡«È¬À1±· ¸‘ø©Üfl¡±1œº ðÓÿø¸î ¬ı±˚˛≈1 õ∂ˆ¬±ª fl¡˜ ˝√√í¬ıº ˆ¬±1Ó¬ ‰¬1fl¡±À1 2005 ‰¬ÚÀÓ¬˝◊ 2013 ‰¬ÚÀÓ¬ ø¬ıù´ ¶§¶ö… ¸—¶ö±˝◊ (Who) ¬ı±ø˝√√…fl¡ ¬ı±˚˛≈ ˚±Ú-¬ı±˝√√Ú øÚ·«˜Ì1 Œé¬SÓ¬ 눬±1Ó¬ Œ©ÜÊ√ 4í ˜±Ú øÚÒ±«1Ì fl¡ø1ÀÂ√ ›¶ðÓÃø¸í ¶§±¶ö…1 ¬ı±À¬ı fl¡fl¡«È¬À1±· ¸‘ø©Üfl¡±1œ (Carcinogenic) ¬ı≈ø˘ ˚ø√› ˆ¬±1Ó¬¬ı¯∏«1¬ 1±Ê√¬ÛÔÓ¬ ¤øÓ¬˚˛±› Œfl¡ÀȬ˘±˝◊øȬfl¡ fl¡Úˆ¬±1Ȭ±1 Œ‚±¯∏̱ fl¡À1º ¬ı±˚˛≈˜G˘Ó¬ ø˜˝√√ø˘ Õ˝√√ Ôfl¡± é≈¬^ é≈¬^ fl¡øÌfl¡±À¬ı±1 (Catalytic Converter) ŒÚ±À˝√√±ª± ¬ıU ¬ı±˝√√Ú Î◊¬¬Û˘tº ¬Û≈1øÌ Œ˚ÀÚ - ¤˘±i§≈+, Â√“±˝◊, ŒÒ“±ª± ’±ø√À¬ı±À1 ˝√√±›“Ù¬±›“Ó¬ õ∂À¬ı˙ fl¡ø1 ˚±Ú-¬ı±˝√√Ú ‰¬À˘±ª±Ó¬ ¬ı±Ò± ø√, Œfl¡ÀȬ˘±˝◊øȬfl¡ fl¡Úˆ¬±1Ȭ±1 ûÅMÃ ŒÓ¬Ê√1 Œ¸±“Ó¬1 ˘·Ó¬ ø˜˝√√ø˘ Õ˝√√ ˙1œ11 ¸fl¡À˘± ’—˙Ó¬ Œ¸±˜±˝◊ ¬ı±˝√√Ú ¬ı…ª˝√√±1 fl¡ø1À˘ ø¬ı¯∏±Mê Œ·Â√1 øÚ·«˜Ì ¬ı±˚˛≈˜G˘Õ˘ ¬ıU ¬ÛÀ1 ’±1n∏ ¬ıË—fl¡±˝◊øȬÂ√, ˝√√±È¬« ¤ÀȬfl¡, ˝√√±›“Ù¬±›“1 Œ1±·, øάø„√√1 fl¡ø˜ ˚±¬ıº ¤˝◊Àé¬SÓ¬ ˚±Ú-¬ı±˝√√Ú ’±˝◊Ú ’øÒfl¡ ‘√Ϭˇ Œ˝√√±ª±1 ’øÓ¬ Œ¸±1À¸±1øÌ, ˚fl‘¡»1 ¸˜¸…± ’±Úøfl¡ fl¡fl¡«È¬ Œ1±·› ¸‘ø©Ü fl¡À1º õ∂À˚˛±Ê√Úº ˝◊gÚ1 ˚Ô±À˚±·… ¬ı…ª˝√√±1 ¬ı±˚˛≈ õ∂≈√¯∏Ì Œ1±Ò1 ¤fl¡ Œ˙˝√√Ó¬œ˚˛±Õfl¡ ’±À˜ø1fl¡±1 ª±ø˙—È¬Ú ø¬ıù´ø¬ı√…±˘˚˛1 ¤øȬ ·Àª¯∏fl¡1 &1n∏Q¬Û”Ì« ’±ø˝√√˘±º Œ‡±Ê√fl¡Ï¬ˇ±, ‰¬±˝◊Àfl¡˘ ‰¬À˘±ª±, ¶ö±Úœ˚˛ ¬ı±Â√ √À˘ Ò1± Œ¬Û˘±˝◊ÀÂ√ Œ˚ ø¬ı¯∏±Mê ¬ı±˚˛≈ Œ¸ªÀÚ ˜±Úø¸fl¡ ¶§±¶ö… ’Ô±«» ’±ø√1 ¬ı…ª˝√√±À1 ˝◊gÚ1 ¸≈1鬱1 ˘·ÀÓ¬ Ê√Ú¶§±¶ö…1 Î◊¬¬Ûfl¡±À1 ¸±ÀÒº ˜·Ê√≈1 ’±‚±Ó¬1 ˘·ÀÓ¬ ˝√√±Î¬ˇ ≈√¬ı«˘ fl¡ø1 ŒÓ¬±À˘º ·ˆ¬«±ª¶ö±Ó¬ ›ù±¿©†ßÁæñîÂÏûþ­ ˛ ¸±˜¢∂œ1 √˝√√ÀÚ Î¬±˝◊’ø'Ú Ú±˜1 ø¬ı¯∏±Mê Œ·Â√ ø¬ı¯∏±Mê ¬ı±˚˛≈ Œ¸ªÚ1 Ù¬˘Ó¬ ¸ôL±Ú1 ÷¿™¦¦¨ ø¬ıfl¡±˙ ˜Lö1 Õ˝√√ ¬ÛÀ1 øÚ·«Ó¬ fl¡À1 Œ¸˝◊¬ı±À¬ı ¬›ù±¿©†ßÁ­ Ê√±Ó¬œ˚˛ ¸±˜¢∂œ1 ¬Û≈Ú1¬ı…ª˝√√±1 fl¡1± ’±1n∏ ’Õ¬ÛÌÓ¬ ø¬ıfl‘¡Ó¬ ø˙q1 Ê√ij ˝√√˚˛ ¬ı± Œfl¡øÓ¬˚˛±¬ı± ˜‘Ó¬ ¸ôL±Ú Î◊¬ø‰¬Ó¬º fl¡˘-fl¡±1‡±Ú±1 ŒÒ±“ª± ’±1n∏ ‚1n∏ª± Î◊¬»¬Û±ø√Ó¬ ŒÒ±“ª±¸˜”˝√√1 Ê√ij ˝√√˚˛º fl¡±¬ı«Ú ˜Ú ’'±˝◊Àά ˙1œ1Ó¬ Œ¸±˜±˝◊ ŒÓ¬Ê√1 ˘·Ó¬ ¬ı±À¬ı ‰¬±˝◊flv¡Ú (Cyclone) ’±1n∏ øÙ¬åȬ±1 (Filter) ¬ı…ª˝√√±1 fl¡ø1

ø˜˝√√ø˘ Õ˝√√ ’±˜±1 õ∂À˚˛±Ê√Úœ˚˛ ’ø'ÀÊ√Ú (o2) Œ¸±˜ª±Ó¬ ¬ı±Ò±1 é≈¬^ é≈¬^ fl¡øÚfl¡±˚≈Mê ¬Û√±Ô«À¬ı±1 Œ‰¬ø∞CøÙ¬Î◊¬Ê√1 (Centrifuge) ¸‘ø©Ü fl¡ø1 ˙1œ1Ó¬ ø¬ı¯∏øSê˚˛± ’±1y fl¡À1º ’±Úøfl¡ Œfl¡øÓ¬˚˛±¬ı± ¡Z±1± ¬Û‘Ôfl¡ fl¡ø1¬ı ¬Û1± ˚±˚˛º ˜‘Ó≈¬… ¬Û˚«ôL Œ˝√√±ª± Œ‡± ˚±˚˛º 2014 ‰¬Ú1 EPA (Environ- ’ªÀ˙¯∏Ó¬, ’±˜±1 ¤˝◊ Õ¬ıø‰¬S˜˚˛ Ò≈Úœ˚˛± Ò1Ìœ‡Ú ment Protection Agency) 1 Ó¬Ô… ’Ú≈¸ø1 Œ√˙1 Œ¸Î◊¬Ê√ ¬ı±À¸±¬ÛÀ˚±·œ fl¡ø1 1±ø‡¬ıÕ˘ ˝√√íÀ˘ ’±ø˜ õ∂ÀÓ¬…fl¡Ê√Ú Ú±·ø1Àfl¡ ·‘˝√√ õ∂ˆ¬±ª1 (Green House Effect 81% ˙Ó¬±—˙˝◊ ˝√√˘ ¬Ûø1Àª˙ õ∂”¯∏Ì øÚ˚˛LaÌ1 Œfl¡Ã˙˘¸˜”˝√√ ’±˚˛M√√√ fl¡ø1 ¬Û±˘Ú fl¡ø1¬ı fl¡±¬ı«Ú-ά±˝◊ ’'±˝◊ά (Co2) øÚ·«˜Ú ˜≈ͬÀÓ¬ ¤fl¡ø¬ı—˙ ˙øÓ¬fl¡±1 ˘±ø·¬ıº Õ±ñÅ¿òßÁ ˜±Úª1 ¬ı±À¬ı ¬ı±˚˛≈ õ∂≈√¯∏Ì ¤fl¡ ά±„√√1 õ∂Ó¬…±˝√√ı±Úº ˆ¬±1Ó¬1

79 Greenhouse Gases & Climate Change

Sh. P.R.Kapse CM(Chemical) BCPL

Climate change is a global problem. The planet is warming because of the growing level of green- house gases emissions from human activity. If this trend continues, truly catastrophic consequenc- es are likely to ensue from rising sea levels, to reduced water availability, to more heat waves and fires. -MALCOLM TURNBULL

Greenhouse Gases: The term ‘greenhouse fect, this planet would have been much colder and gases’ (GHG) refers to a type of gas that is capa- difficult for the human race to survive. Increase in ble to hold or trap heat in the atmosphere. There the number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are a number of different greenhouse gases, the results in the greenhouse effect, which ultimately primary ones of Earth being ozone (the layer that leads to global warming. protects us and the rest of the world from the sun’s The planet Earth receives an enormous most harmful radiation), methane, carbon dioxide, amount of sunlight from the sun. Of the total sun- and even water vapour. In other words, greenhouse light received, about 30% gets reflected back to gases are the type of gases that first absorbs infrared space by clouds, ice, snow, sand and other reflective radiation and then actually emits thermal radiation sources. The remaining 70% of the solar radiation back. This whole process is basically what causes is absorbed by the oceans, the land, and the atmos- the greenhouse effect. Without the greenhouse ef-

80 phere. This is the reason that the earth remains tion of organic materials over hundreds of millions warm even after the sun has gone down as it has of years. It is one of the most commonly used fos- absorbed a lot of energy from the sun. sil fuels and in recent years we have been burning more and more of it which has caused more and During the night, the Earth’s surface cools more of it to be pumped into the atmosphere as a down by giving off infrared radiation. But before greenhouse gas. this radiation can emit back into space, they get absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere • Water Vapour (H2O): Water vapour which makes the atmosphere warmer. This is the is simply the gaseous state of water and occurs nat- reason why the earth remains warm which makes urally in the Earth’s atmosphere as a part of the wa- it possible for humans to survive. ter cycle. When water vapour collects as clouds in the sky, ready to rain, it can often lock in the heat Sources of Greenhouse Gases: The prima- because it is a greenhouse gas, which is why some- ry ones are Ozone, Methane, Water vapour, Carbon times even though it is rainy or grey and the sun dioxide, and Nitrous oxide. These all have a num- cannot be seen, it can still feel warm or muggy. • Carbon dioxide (CO2): Perhaps the most famous of all greenhouse gases, carbon diox- ide is absolutely essential to life here on Earth. It is the gas that we expel when we breathe out and it is the gas that the trees and plants use as an essential component to photosynthesize. Although it occurs naturally in the atmos- phere, a combination of carbon and two oxygen at- oms, the fact that we are burning many hundreds and thousands of tons of fossil fuels every single year is contributing greatly to the amount of car- bon in the atmosphere. When fossil fuels such as coal are burned, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Although it is perfectly safe in the ber of different sources and some of them are more atmosphere, too much of it is contributing to the common than others. number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, • Ozone (O3): The ozone layer pro- causing the average temperature of the Earth’s tects the Earth from the most harmful of the sun’s surface to rise gradually each year. Basically, we rays and naturally occurs in the Earth’s atmos- are digging up coal, gas, and petroleum from the phere. The ozone layer occurs between 10 and 50 Earth’s crust where it has remained for many mil- km above the Earth’s surface. Ozone is actually pro- lions of years and released that carbon dioxide back duced when the ultraviolet waves of the sun come into the atmosphere where it is causing problems into contact with oxygen molecules. such as the greenhouse effect. • Methane (CH4): Methane is often • Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Nitrous ox- used as a fuel nowadays and is most commonly ide is more commonly known as ‘laughing gas and used for heating and for cooking in homes. It oc- it is given to patients as a dissociated anesthetic. curs naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere and has Once again, it is perfectly natural and is normally also been created underground by the decomposi- in the Earth’s atmosphere, although it constitutes

81 only a very small percentage of the overall volume house gases produces a positive climate forcing, or of gases. Nitrous oxide creates nitric oxide when it warming effect. reacts with oxygen atoms, and so reacts with the Responding to Climate Change: ozone layer, making it one of the main regulators of the stratospheric layer of ozone around the Earth, Climate change is one of the most complex as well as one of the main naturally occurring ones. issues facing us today. It involves many dimensions – science, economics, society, politics and moral Worldwide Greenhouse Gas Emissions. and ethical questions – and is a global problem, felt Worldwide, net emissions of greenhouse gases on local scales, that will be around for decades and from human activities increased by 35 percent from centuries to come. The United Nations Framework 1990 to 2010. Emissions of carbon dioxide, which Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) came account for about three-fourths of total emissions, into force on 21 March 1994. The ultimate objective increased by 42 percent over this period. The ma- of the Convention is stabilization of greenhouse jority of the world’s emissions result from electric- gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that ity generation, transportation, and other forms of would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interfer- energy production and use. ence with the climate system. Atmospheric Concentrations of Green- Because we are already committed to some house Gases. Historical measurements show that level of climate change, responding to climate the current global atmospheric concentrations of change involves a two-pronged approach: (1) Re- carbon dioxide are unprecedented compared with ducing emissions of and stabilizing the levels of the past 800,000 years, even after accounting for heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere natural fluctuations. Concentrations of carbon di- (“mitigation”); (2) Adapting to the climate change oxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmos- already in the pipeline (“adaptation”). phere have increased since the beginning of the industrial era. Almost all of this increase is attrib- Important contributions that can be made utable to human activities. by ordinary individuals include ensuring maxi- mum energy efficiency at home, supporting where Climate Forcing. Climate forcing refers to possible the provision of energy from renewable a change in the Earth’s energy balance, leading to sources, driving a fuel-efficient car and choosing either a warming or cooling effect over time. An in- means of transport which tend to minimise overall crease in the atmospheric concentrations of green- energy use.

Always Recycle Glass. It can reduce re- lated water pollution by up to fifty percent and related air pollution by up to twenty percent

82 TEN INNOVATIONS IN BIO-DEGRADABLE PLASTIC

Sh. Kalyan Chandra Senior Manager(Chemical), BCPL

2. A company, Avani Eco based in Bali, In- donesia has created a plastic bag so eco-friendly that can eat it. It is made out of cassava, the vegeta- ble root which is a staple in the diets of many in Af- rica, Latin America and Asia, but which can also be Plastic is in many ways a wonderful materi- used in manufacturing. It also dissolves in water, so als in the world. It is easy to shape and it is strong if animals eat it, it won’t cause any harm. They say it and cheap to produce. But plastic has also become is so safe, in fact, that human could even swallow it. a major environmental problem for being non- 3. Israel-based Tipa is one of the packaging biodegradable and thus creating pollution. At pre- company has developed bio-plastics. Tipa claims sent,382 million tonnes of polymers are produced that its materials produced from a combination every year in the world. Each year, at least 8 million of biological and synthetic materials -break down tonnes of plastic find their way, into the ocean, the rapidly in a home composter, unlike most so called equivalent of dumping the contents of one garbage compostable plastic which only properly degrade truck into the ocean every minute. in industrial treatment facilities. Rising demand for more environmentally 4. Scientist from the Centre of Sustainable responsible consumer products is driving innova- Chemical Technology(CSCT) at the University of tion in biodegradable and compostable plastic ma- Bath managed to make a bio-degradable form of terials. Public concern for the environment impact plastic. It is made from Sugar and Carbon diox- of everyday packaging materials-particularly plas- ide (CO2).It is made by combining a Sugar called tic has intensified, creating market opportunity for Thymidine with CO2 at low pressure and at room innovation.10 such most innovations which are go- temperature. ing to address our needs and to maintain ecosystem 5. Finnish Researchers in 2014 were able to are as: use rice starch to make sustainable bio-degradable 1. In 2013, a Turkish teenager, Elif Bilgin polymers. These polymers could then be used to won the Science in Action Award for her concept make food packaging. Their bio-plastic also has a of making bio-plastic from banana peels. Elif man- high degree of thermal resistance and mechanical aged to devise a chemical process for converting strength. the peels into a resistant bio-plastic that would of- 6. University of Otago have managed to de- fer a solution to reduce waste and our dependence velop food packaging made from corn and shellfish on oil for plastic. industry by-products.

83 7. A Michoacán based company, Biofase 9. Scientists from IIT-Guwahati have de- are converting 15,000 tonnes of Avocado seeds veloped biodegradable plastic with the help of into bio-plastic every day. The company’s process homegrown technology. These biodegradable plas- has devised by its founder ,Scott Mungia, who was tic has been developed by IIT-G’s Centre of Excel- looking for an abundant raw material to make bio- lence –sustainable Polymers (CoE-SusPol),which is plastic. After years of trial and error, he found that founded by the department of Chemical and Pet- Avocado seeds are perfect bio-plastic. Biofase can rochemicals under Union Ministry of Chemicals turn this plastic into anything from drinking cut- and Fertilizers. The center has developed kitchen lery to drinking straws. cutlery, house hold furniture and decorative items 8. Although not technically a bio-plastic using this biodegradable plastic variants. application, Adidas has developed prototype new 10. Eco-Products is a USA-based company sneakers in 2015 which are made from recycled that has provided sustainable food service packag- ocean plastic and deep sea gillnets. They reduce ing products made from renewable and recycla- waste, clean the oceans and provide you with a new ble resources. The Novolex-owned brand’s latest pair of shoes all in one go. launch comes in the form of its new compostable Cold cup sip Lids.

Save Nature, Secure Future

Sriman Angsuman Chakrabarti Son of Sh. Anirvan Chakrabarti Senior Manager(Mechanical), BCPL The world is so beautiful, full of life Let’s pledge not to destroy it And allow everyone to survive, Save the environment today, To secure the future It will be the greatest gift That we can give to the Generations coming hereafter

84 GREEN BUILDING - a Need, not a Choice..

Mrs. Sabitri Bhattacharjee Manager(Civil), BCPL

A green building is one which uses less wa- ter, optimizes energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides health- Globally, buildings are responsible for a ier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conven- huge share of energy, electricity, and water and tional building materials consumption. The building sector has the greatest potential to deliver significant cuts in Goal of environment friendly buildings: emissions at little or no cost. Today Buildings are Green buildings are designed to reduce the account for 18% of global emissions, or the equiva- overall impact of the built environment on human lent of 9 billion tonnes of CO2 annually. The Inter- health and the natural environment by: national Energy Agency released a publication that • Efficiently using energy, water, and other estimated that existing buildings are responsible for resources more than 40% of the world’s total primary energy • Protecting occupant health and improv- consumption and for 24% of global carbon dioxide ing employee productivity emissions. If new technologies in construction are • Reducing waste, pollution and environ- not adopted during this time of rapid growth, emis- mental degradation sions could double by 2050. The Concept of Green Architecture, also Energy efficiency known as “sustainable architecture” or “green Green buildings often include measures to building,” is the theory, science and style of build- reduce energy consumption – both the embodied ings designed and constructed in accordance with energy required to extract, process, transport and environmentally friendly principles. Green archi- install building materials and operating energy tecture strives to minimize the number of resources to provide services such as heating and power for consumed in the building's construction, use and equipment. operation, as well as curtailing the harm done to To reduce operating energy use, designers the environment through the emission, pollution use energy efficient insulation that reduces air leak- and waste of its components. age through the building envelope. They also spec- To design, construct, operate and maintain ify high-performance windows and extra insula- buildings energy, water and new materials are uti- tion in walls, ceilings, and floors. Another strategy, lized as well as amounts of waste causing negative passive solar building design, is often implemented effects to health and environment is generated. In in low-energy homes. Designers orient windows order to limit these effects and design environmen- and walls and place awnings, porches, and trees tally sound and resource efficient buildings; “green to shade windows and roofs during the summer building systems” must be introduced. while maximizing solar gain in the winter. In addi- tion, effective window placement (day lighting) can

85 provide more natural light and lessen the need for er conditions, offering strength that we cannot get electric lighting during the day. Solar water heating from traditional building materials. further reduces energy costs. Bamboo and Straw : Bamboo has been in- Water efficiency tensively utilized as a building material since an- Reducing water consumption and protect- cient times. However, due to the scarcity of wood in ing water quality are key objectives in sustainable recent years, bamboo has gained great importance building. One critical issue of water consumption as a source of renewable fiber as a suitable alter- is that in many areas, the demands on the supply- native to wood. This versatile forest produce lends ing aquifer exceed its ability to replenish itself. To itself to be manufactured into mat-based industrial the maximum extent feasible, facilities should in- products such as bamboo mat board, bamboo mat crease their dependence on water that is collected, veneer composite, bamboo mat molded products, used, purified, and reused on-site. The protection bamboo mat corrugated sheet for roofing, etc. and conservation of water throughout the life of Among these, the bamboo mat corrugated sheet is a building may be accomplished by designing for an ideal substitute for asbestos and galvanized steel dual plumbing that recycles water in toilet flushing sheets for roofing purposes. The Indian Plywood or by using water for washing of the cars. Waste- Industries Research & Training Institute (IPIRTI) water may be minimized by utilizing water con- has developed this technique, which has proved to serving fixtures such as ultra-low flush toilets and be a boon for the housing industries among North low-flow shower heads. Eastern states. Rooftops act as an excellent center for rain- Rice Husk Ash (RHA) produced after burn- water collection. If properly diverted and harvested, ing of rice husks can also be used as an admixture this water can be used in several ways: for drink- for concrete. RHA has high reactivity and pozzo- ing and household needs, gardening or to recharge lanic property. bore wells and groundwater levels. Plastic Bricks: The concept of plastic bricks Materials efficiency first came up in Africa when in an experimental A green building needs special materials project financed by a European Union, plastic bags and systems to adapt sustainability compared with were melted and transformed into bricks with a ce- a conventional building. In line with the growing ment mold saving both money and time ¬ trend of green building development, the industry Bagasse: Bagasse is the residual pulp from of green building materials and services is also de- sugarcane after the juice has been extracted. A con- veloping worldwide. Building materials typically siderable amount of excess bagasse generated from considered to be 'green' include recycled steel, rice sugar mills is left to rot or burnt as fuel for boilers. husk ash concrete, plastic bricks, rapidly renewable This by-product is now being used as a substitute plant materials like bamboo and straw, bagasse, re- for wood in particle boards that are light and low cycled metal and other products that are non-toxic, cost. Bagasse-based composites offer potential as reusable, renewable, and/or recyclable. the core material for laminated floors, replacing high-density and expensive wood fiberboard. As Recycled steel : Two out of three tons of such, bagasse does not have enough strength and new steel are usually recycled from old steel. This water resistance to be used on its own. However, means that steel is the most recycled material on if it is made into a laminated particle board with earth. Steel emits fewer unsafe CO2 emissions than resin as a bonding agent and wax as dimensional most building materials and uses less energy, mak- stabilizer, then it can be used for laminated floor ing it the ideal green choice. A steel building can and furniture applications. also withstand earthquakes and unfavorable weath-

86 Advantages of Green Building: Below are some of the best green buildings that currently exists in India: A green building has a variety of advan- tages. We can broadly classify them into three sub- 1. Suzlon One Earth, Pune heads: Having received a platinum certification • Environmental Benefits: Green buildings by the LEED, Suzlon One Earth uses a variety of have a huge positive effect on the environment. resource-efficient mechanisms. Natural daylight- They use less natural resources as compared to a normal building. A green building ensures that it is water-efficient and energy-efficient, and has a much smaller carbon footprint. A green building also ensures that the surrounding eco-system is protected and further enhanced. • Economic Benefits: It is commonly be- lieved that green buildings are costlier than normal buildings. While that might be true at the initial stage i.e. while the building is being made, it has been effectively proven that the overall costs are much lesser than the normal buildings. They con- sume fewer resources, and improve the productiv- ing, fresh indoor air, and use of energy-efficient air ity of occupants. Green buildings also entail higher conditioning are just some examples. real estate value. Besides these benefits, incentives are also given by local government bodies in order 2. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hy- to achieve a sustainable future. derabad • Social Benefits: Green Buildings have been proven to have a positive impact on the health India’s 6th busiest airport, which is situated of residents. Since they provide a balanced and op- in the downtown of Hyderabad has set a bench- timal eco-system for residents, they have a positive mark for the green buildings in India. The structure effect on the productivity and well-being of those who occupy the building.

Green Building in India:

India is amongst the few countries spear- heading the green building movement worldwide. Green Buildings do not account for even 5 % of the total building footprint in India. Although sus- tainability is more of a choice right now, with right awareness, it will become a need. In a bid to further promote green buildings in India, some of the state governments and local bodies have started pro- of the airport is designed in a way so as to consume viding incentives to those who get their building less water, electricity and conserves natural re- green-certified. sources. Within the campus of the airport, there is a green belt of 273 hectares with numerous plants. In the last couple of years, RGIA has been successful in saving energy for nearly 3.97 million kWh and

87 have reduced the carbon footprint by 3331 tons. Platinum rating. The building is furnished with Co2 monitor sensors, rainwater harvesting, and 3. Infosys Limited, Mysore: waste water recycling system and humidification Located in the city of palaces, this green controls. The exterior of the building is made of building is an awe-inspiring structure to win a Plat- brick wall block while the roof comprises of deck inum rating. The 5 storey structure has been built thick polyurethane foam for better insulation. keeping in mind a holistic approach to sustainabil- ity in five key areas, including – Sustainable site de- 5. I-Gate Knowledge Centre, Noida velopment, Water savings, Energy efficiency, Mate- Next on the list of green buildings is the Pat- ni Knowledge Centre with the prestigious platinum

rials selection and Indoor environmental quality. LEED rating. The building is built over 4,60,000 The smart mechanism and efficient equipments sq.ft. in Suburban Noida and is designed in a way lead to 40% of less energy consumption. that it captures 73% of daylight within the office. Nearly 50% of land is covered with grass which 4. Infinity Benchmark, Kolkata doesn’t let wastes and sewage water go out. At the time of its inauguration, this 20 sto- rey structure which is spread over 5,60,000sq.feet Environmental or “green” buildings are was 7th building in the world to receive the LEED more than just a passing trend. They represent a standard shift in the field of architecture and a more sustainable way to secure the future of urban- ization. ¬ The list of green buildings in India looks promising but there is still a long way to go. Real estate developers and consumers need to be edu- cated about the massive benefits of green buildings. Government and regulatory bodies need to play a motivating role to enable consumers as well as de- velopers to understand the need for green build- ings in India

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