Durgapur, 12th April: SwitchON Foundation organized an environment groups meet at Durgapur, West Bengal to discuss green steel and provide an overview on the city’s Clean Air policy and come out with an action plan for mitigating air pollution and climate crisis by engaging different stakeholders. The meet was attended by Leading and regional level NGO’s, Govt. Officials, Urban local bodies, academicians and volunteers at large.
SwitchON Foundation has formed ‘West Bengal Clean Air Network (West Bengal CAN)’ which is a network of national and regional organizations, trusts, clubs and volunteer groups. Through this forum, SwitchON aims to create a mechanism in West Bengal which will be a coalition of empowered local power structures, influencers, and community leaders to fight air pollution.
A study was launched by SwitchON Foundation on the state of Air Quality in Durgapur. As per the report, PM10 levels are still “unhealthy” in May 2023, up to 110.86 ug/m3, 1.84 times higher than the permissible limit of 60 ug/m3, as set by the NAAQS. The report mentions, of the 12 pollutants that need to be monitored, PM2.5 and ozone monitoring require special attention in Durgapur.
The meet focussed on the steel industry, which contributes to roughly 9 percent of the country’s total GHG emissions. The steel industry needs to reduce its carbon footprint, as globally it is the third biggest producer of carbon emission. India currently is 2nd largest steel producer in the world, and durgapur is major steel producing city. Given India’s carbon neutral commitment by 2070, and the various clean energy missions including the hydrogen mission – ensuring a clean & green steel industry is the need of the hour.
At the meeting West Bengal CAN members discussed , how they will work with different stakeholders to see how green steel can be promoted so that the demand for such green products is generated creating an overall better health of the community and engagement opportunities in the green steel sector.The Environment Group would work on creating awareness for a technology shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
The objective behind the West Bengal CAN City Chapter Meet was to engage different stakeholders and work together in partnership mode towards a sustainable society. This meet aims to develop a real time communication channel for integrating various responses from different stakeholders for rapid Action Response during crisis hours- including information dissemination plans on social media about pollution levels, contact details of control rooms and enabling reporting.
25 organizations came together for the city Chapter meet. National NGOs like Durgapur Subdivisional Voluntary Sports and Cultural Clubs Coordination Society, Uttisthata Jagroto and Jago Nari Trust, Rotary Club of Durgapur Smart City, Durgapur Womens Development Organization, Durgapur Prerona Welfare Society, Bidhan Smrity Mancha, Durgapur Aradhana Social Welfare Society, Valobasar Bhikari attended the meet. The organizations discussed and debated on the City’s Clean Air Policy and green steel and came up with an Annual Action Plan.
Kabi Dutta, Vice Chairman, Asansol Durgapur Development Authority, “SwitchON Foundation is doing a praise-worthy job by creating a city chapter where we can come together to find innovative solutions and take concrete actions to improve air quality and protect public health. As government officials, we are committed to supporting this effort and working with all stakeholders to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all citizens.”
Kabi Ghosh, Durgapur Sub Divisional Voluntary Sports and Cultural Clubs Coordination Society “As partners, we believe that by collaborating with SwitchON Foundation we can pool our resources and expertise, and make a real difference in improving the air quality and protecting public health.”
Vinay Jaju, MD SwitchON Foundation said, “ The Steel industries in Durgapur are one of the major sources of air pollution and GHG emissions. Green steel technologies are now available and use of renewable energy can help in reducing the carbon footprints. There is a need for stringent implementation of the City Clean Air Policy bringing together different stakeholders of the city. Change is only possible through collaboration, engagement and communication.”
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Contact: Vinay Jaju | M: +91 9331178105 | Email: VJ@SwitchON.org.in
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