KSPCB to celebrate golden jubilee to mark 50th anniversary

Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini awards to be conferred to five eminent environmentalists

Bengaluru Express

Bengaluru, Nov. 16: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is all set to celebrate its Golden Jubilee celebration to mark 50th anniversary across the state and a grand valedictory Bengaluru on November 18 and 19.

State-level Indira Priyadarshini Award will be given away to five achievers who have worked for environmental protection and pollution control to mark the 50^th anniversary of KSPCB, said its Chairman PM Narendraswamy.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday at the KSPCB, PM Narendraswamy said that a symposium on the theme ‘Circular Economy and Sustainability’ has been organized on the first day, November 18. The symposium will discuss topics such as waste water treatment and recycling, solid waste management, construction waste management, plastic and e-waste management, distributed economy in waste management, importance of business responsibility and sustainability index building, Extended Producer Responsibility System – Challenges and Opportunities, e-waste, plastic waste and battery waste management and distributed economy in battery waste management.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will inaugurate the first day’s program. I, as the Chairman of the KSPCB, will deliver the introductory speech. Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre, Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary Anjum Parvez would participate, he said.

On the second day, on November 19, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the grand valedictory ceremony to be held at the Palace Grounds in Bengaluru. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will be present. Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Ishwar Khandre will preside over the program. I will submit a request to the government about the steps to be taken by the government based on the suggestions given by the subject experts in the first day’s symposium. I will also give a report on the Golden Jubilee programs held across the state, he said.

In this program, which is being held under the joint auspices of Bangalore City, Bangalore Rural, Tumkur, Ramanagara, Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts, the district-level ‘Indira Priyadarshini Award’ will be given away for those who have rendered yeomen service in the field of environment and ecology. He said that awards have been given in all the districts of the state in a similar manner.

Awareness programs were organized in all the assembly constituencies of the state in the backdrop of the Golden Jubilee because the Golden Jubilee should not be limited to Bangalore, but should reach every village. Various competitions were organized for students regarding environmental protection. The winners were honored at the district-level program and awarded certificates. In addition, civic workers who are involved in cleaning work and working for the environment have been honored, Narendraswamy informed.

PM Narendra Swamy said that the objective of the Golden Jubilee is to create awareness among the people about the laws related to environmental protection and pollution control, to remember the late Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister, who established Pollution Control Boards under the Central and State Governments in 1974, and to involve the youth and students in environmental protection and pollution control work.

Realizing that pollution control is not possible without involving the youth, a competition has been organized for the youth to make reels on environmental awareness. A prize of Rs. 50,000 has been announced for the best reel related to environmental protection. He said that Rs. 25,000 has been announced for the second prize and Rs. 10,000 for the third prize.

KSPCB Chairman Mr. Narendra Swamy also announced to institute an award in the name of Vruksha Maate Salumarada Thimmakka for their excellent service in the field of environment. The award will carry a cash award of Rs. One lakh and a memento, he added.

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