The CSIR – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur, India’s premier environmental research organization under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, organized a ‘Stakeholders’ Conclave and Brainstorming on Current Challenges and Environmental Issues in Southern Region of India’ at the Chennai Madras Complex. The event aimed to deliberate on emerging environmental challenges, share best practices, and strengthen dialogue between industries, regulators, and scientific institutions.
The Conclave was graced by eminent guests, including Dr. Jayanthi Murali, IFS, Chairperson, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB); Er. S. Sreekala, Chairperson, Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB); Dr. N. Ramesh, Member Secretary, Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC); and Dr. K. Rajeevan, Vice President & CTO, Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), Chennai. Over 350 participants from various state pollution control boards, including TNPCB, KSPCB, Karnataka PCB, PPCC, ANPCC, and LDPCC, as well as representatives from leading industries such as L&T, Ramky Industries, Saint-Gobain Pvt. Ltd., Ranitec CETP, Best Colour Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Tamil Nadu Integrated Waste Management Association, and Industrial Waste Management Association, attended the event.
In his address, Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Director, CSIR-NEERI, highlighted critical concerns including overexploitation of groundwater, climate change impacts, threats to region-specific species due to widespread pollution, and other environmental issues in Southern India. He also showcased NEERI’s successful interventions in biomedical waste management, soil remediation in Kodaikanal, and tannery and textile sector pollution mitigation.
Dr. Jayanthi Murali stressed issues of heavy metals, microplastics, e-waste, single-use plastics, odour from fish industries, and coastal dumping in Tamil Nadu. She highlighted government initiatives such as promoting women’s participation, development of tier-2 and tier-3 cities, fish net recycling incentives, the Green Champion Industry Award, and the Meendum Manjai Pai program.
Er. S. Sreekala emphasized challenges in potable water contamination, antimicrobial residues, hazardous chemical treatment, and the need for intensive R&D in urban waste and land erosion. Dr. N. Ramesh called for a collaborative approach involving industries, regulators, and academia to manage stressed water resources and declining biodiversity. Dr. K. Rajeevan highlighted the importance of recycled water, sludge treatment, and cost-effective solutions for emerging pollutants, proposing collaboration with NEERI for training programs.
The technical sessions addressed industrial waste management challenges, perspectives, and solutions. Industry experts from Saint-Gobain, Ranitec CETP, Best Colour Solutions, L&T Water Technology Centre, and others shared insights on low-carbon products, circular economy, ZLD wastewater treatment, and waste-to-resource initiatives.
In the panel discussion, stakeholders emphasized inter-state collaboration, comprehensive national policies, cost-effective ZLD systems, energy generation from municipal waste, and sustainable industrial practices.
Concluding the event, Dr. S. Venkata Mohan stated that the conclave provides a platform for holistic collaboration among industries, government agencies, regulators, and academia to collectively address environmental challenges. The event was organized with active contributions from Dr. Sivacoumar, Dr. Sunita Shastry, Dr. Salve, Er. Satish Dabe, Dr. G. Sarvanan, Er. R. Kathik, Dr. T. Rajesh, and Ms. D. Catherine.