UK Minister lauds sustainable environment practices

New Delhi: UK Energy and Climate Change Minister Amber Rudd, who is on a two-day visit to the country, Tuesday took stock of low-carbon means deployed at New Moti Bagh Colony here and appreciated Centre's efforts in this regard.

During her visit to the colony housing top IAS officers, Rudd inspected zero-waste facility which aims at converting garbage, both organic and plastic, generated there into green-coal and fuel in a sustainable way.

The Minister also inspected a waste water treatment plant installed in the same premise.

New Delhi MP Meenakshi Lekhi and National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) CMD AK Mittal, who accompanied Rudd along with British High Commissioner James Bevan, briefed the Minister about measures being taken at the plants, which help produce sustainable energy and recycle water in-house.

Reacting to the steps taken, the Minister acknowledged them as "fantastic and very impressive".

"The plants occupy minimal space and treat waste without emanating foul smell to produce green coal, cooking gas and fuel which can work as replacement for conventional diesel in generators.

"The measures are environment-friendly, save transport, cost and use of landfills/waste dump site," Rajesh Mittal, managing director of Green Planet Waste Management, which operates the facility, said.

Earlier in the day, Rudd held a meeting with Union Minister of Environment and Forest Prakash Javadekar to discuss both the countries' ambitions for a climate agreement later this year.

She is also scheduled to hold parleys with Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh later during the day.

Rudd's visit to the country beginning today comes after official visits to India by Britain's Minister of State for Trade and Investment Lord Francis Maude and British Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Sajid Javid earlier this month.