World Environment Conference and Exhibition on 5-7 June 2018 at Pragati Maidan Delhi
On the World Environment Day 2018, Environment & Social Development Association (ESDA) Delhi as a collaborative and knowledge partner of Green Society of India, Noida organized the World Environment Conference (WEC 2018) and World Environment Expo (WEE) on 05-07 June 2018 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi (India) supported by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi. The theme of the Conference was “Go Green” with the major topics being Environment Protection, Climate Change, Carbon emissions, saving the energy and natural resources. The WEC 2018 presented a global networking opportunity with policy makers, researchers, academicians, Govt. officials, NGO, Trade Associations, Environmentalists Municipalities, Development Authorities, Civil Societies and industrialists. The main convener of this event was Mr. Swadesh Kumar, President of Green Society of India, Noida.
The conference cum expo was inaugurated by Shri. Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. He thanked the organizers for having the conference at the opportune time of World Environment Day and mentioned that significant findings should emerge from the conference and expo for the improvement in environment and betterment of Indian society. Mr. Prabhu distributed the awards to key individuals chosen from across the country for their excellent contribution towards environment conservation.
There were 8 sessions which were presented by internationally and nationally renowned experts. The keynote of first session on Pollution and India was presented by Dr. Jitendra K Nagar from Environment & Social Development Association (ESDA) Delhi who highlighted the adverse effects such as asthma, TB, cancers caused due to both outdoor and indoor air pollution. Dr. Gufran Beig from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune shared the story behind the launch of SAFAR (System of air quality and weather forecasting and research) to monitor and predict the air quality during Commonwealth Games in Delhi during 2010. SAFAR started from Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune and now covers Ahmadabad and would soon issue health advisories across the country to protect residents from adverse effects of air pollution. Hon’ble Justice Swatanter Kumar, Former Chairperson of National Green Tribunal presented on India’s pollution maladies and remedies. He traced the history of legislations in India concerning environmental conservation and was saddened by the fact that judiciary at times has to force the Govt., firms and also organizations to take stringent actions for the benefit of the society. Second session was on Alternate energy for green India. Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Consultant from International Solar Alliance presented on the prospects of scaling up solar energy in member countries. Mr. Punit Agarwal, from Indian Green Building Council highlighted the role of green buildings in holistic approach for enhancing energy efficiency. IIIrd session was on managing plastic waste intelligently. Dr. Sameer Joshi from Plast India Foundation highlighted that plastic waste is not waste but wasted potential. IV th session was focused on water management.
Mr. Rajender Singh (Waterman), Founder of Tarun Bharat Sangh and prestigious Magsaysay awardee highlighted that for India the new landscape which is being created is a very dangerous trend. He stressed that today we talk exclusively about technologies, equations and databases related to extraction and not even a single college or institute teaches students about recharge of ground water. Dr. Singh pointed about the traditional knowledge of water recharge based on which 11800 Johars, Dams and Anicuts have been constructed and revived 11 rivers in the last 35 years. Session Vth highlighted India environmental challenges in form of waste management, climate change and carbon emissions. Mr. Ashish Jain from IPCA highlighted the key role played by rag pickers in waste management and how they have formed a network of such rag pickers and supporting them in their initiatives. Mr. Umesh Chandra Head, HSE, Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai presented on Environmental Safety & Health standards. VIth Session was based on smart cities and housing solutions. Mr. Tajinder Pal Tyagi, Convenor of Confederation of RWAs highlighted the dire need of smart homes for the upcoming smart cities. VIIth session was on green innovations. Mr. Udo Gebrath from Sterlite, Brazil mentioned that e-waste should be collected and recycled but not at all burned. Mr. Mehendale from Anant Udyog, discussed the latest in membrane technology. Mr. Rajkumar Jani presented on eco-smart villages which utilize sustainable, organic and innovative solutions such as solar dryers and bio-toilets. Last session was on Sustainable development. Prof. Tanu Jindal from Amity University presented on pesticide contamination of water resources, a project which was undertaken by them with funding from GoI. Guest of Honor of Closing Ceremony was Mr. Imraan Hussain, Honorable Minister Department of Environment, Government of NCT New Delhi. He thanked the organizers for their efforts in organizing such a key event and hoped that the deliberations during the conference will play a long role in improving our environment.
