Kolkata: The West Bengal government has devised a multi-pronged strategy to curb growing environmental degradation including development of appropriate technology to curb industrial and other pollution and introduction of environment guards.
Environment Minister Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar said a committee has been set up to suggest ways to tackle the pollution demon and development of new technologies to mitigate industrial emission and effluent discharge.
The committee, the minister said, would comprise professionals from diverse fields, representatives of industry, local administration, pollution experts and other stake holders.
The state's many sponge iron units have long been held responsible for throwing pollutants into air and as such they have been directed as a first step to grow green belts in their surroundings which would act as absorbers and cushions.
"Officials have undertaken field visits to different sponge iron units to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation and see that appropriate anti-pollution devices had been installed," he said.
A sustained programme of action has been taken by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board against use of banned plastic bags and other items.
In a meeting with officials of all civic bodies early this month, it has been decided unanimously to make the state free from banned plastic items within a month.
Electromagnetic radiation hazards from cell phone towers would be studied by a committee of experts from IIT Kharagpur and IIT Bombay. The committee would submit a report within two weeks to the government, the minister said.
The department has identified 11 places in Kolkata and its outskirts to establish 'hot-spots' where electronic wastes will be collected before being dismantled or recycled.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 10:49