Date:20/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/20/stories/2008032057900200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Industries urged to green premises

Special Correspondent

Strive to make State pollution-free, says Minister

— Photo: V. Ganesan

HONOUR: Representatives of Infosys receiving a special award from T.P.M. Mohideen Khan, Environment Minister at the CII’s Leadership and Excellence Award in EHS 2007. V.R. Pappu of CII (extreme left), is in the picture.

CHENNAI: Environment Minister T.P.M. Mohideen Khan has appealed to industries to plant more saplings on their premises to reduce pollution.

Distributing the Confederation of Indian Industry Leadership and Excellence Award in Environment, Health and Safety 2007 here on Wednesday, he said that Tamil Nadu was the least polluted State. The industries should strive to make the State pollution-free. The Environment and Forest Departments launched an afforestation drive in six Corporations. Under it, one lakh saplings would be planted in each Corporation, he said.

V. R. Pappu, chairman, Leadership and Excellence Award in Environment, Health and Safety, CII Southern Region, said if environmental issues were addressed properly in a geographical area, many problems could be solved. More and more new entrants were participating in the event every year.

Representatives of power, metal, automobile, engineering, sugar, cement, paper, tobacco, food and information technology companies made presentations at the two-day event, said Swaminathan Krishnamurthy,

Senior Manager, Ernst and Young. On the environment aspect, many companies suggested the adoption of reverse osmosis system for drinking water purposes. Many of them had set up their own secured landfills to dispose of the hazardous waste generated, he said, adding that what proactive initiatives the industry could take regarding environment, health and safety issues needed to be discussed.

Sterlite Industries received the ‘Best Presentation’ Award, decided by the audience. The ‘Best Innovation’ Award was given to Ashok Leyland, adjudged by a jury. Hindustan Zinc Limited bagged the first prize. L and T and MICO Industries, Bangalore, bagged the second and third prizes.