Environmental Engineers should accept the responsibility of preventing Environmental Pollution and should lead the society, pressurize industries or government to act effectively.
My guide Dr. G. D. Agrawal has set an example of ideal Environmental Engineer who was Director of IIT, Kanpur, Member Secretary of CPCB, Delhi and the leader of Tarun Bharat Sangh who did fast unto death to save Ganga River Pollution due to construction of dams.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Environmental Engineering versus Environmental Pollution
There are many social organizations and NGOs in India working
in the field of environmental awareness and education. They have played an
important role as a whistle blower in drawing attention of society at
increasing environmental pollution. Strong social and political pressure groups
have formed to struggle against polluters and force the administrative
authorities to take appropriate steps in preventing pollution. Many of the leaders of such organizations are
dedicated environmental scientists.
Government of India has made it mandatory to teach Environmental Studies
as a common subject at school and college level. This has helped in dissemination
of knowledge about causes of
environmental pollution, their adverse impacts on human health, agriculture and
property and need of preventive waste minimization methods and nature
conservation.
However, it has indirectly fostered a belief that any infrastructural
development project, industrial growth or urbanization is bound to increase pollution and therefore should be opposed. This negative impact on the
minds of people is due to failure of environmental engineers in educating the
people about capability of modern environmental technology in control of
pollution. Environmental engineers
generally remain aloof from environmental awareness activities and do not educate people about research and
development in pollution prevention technologies. Most of the expert
environmental engineers pursue research of academic interest and remain engaged
in educational sector.
Other environmental professionals provide technical consultancy to industries, local bodies and project planners,
they are involved in technical designs
of treatment plants and do not have rapport with environmental NGOs fighting
against pollution. Many a times these consultants have to play a role of defending
polluters even though they know that the
pollution has occurred due to neglect in
operation and maintenance rather than faults in design. Naturally, environmental NGOs look upon these
experts as people working against
environmental protection.
In fact, development in any sector without damage to
environment is possible if necessary precautions are taken in selection of
site, waste minimization and recycling techniques are used, treatment plant
with proper capacity and efficiency is provided and operation of plant is
closely monitored to ensure desired performance.
Environmental engineers have to come out from their secure
design offices and lead the NGOS fighting for effective pollution control by highlighting drawbacks in present system
and offering convincing environment management plan to project proponents. He should also educate people about the
treatment methodologies and their
expected efficiencies. He should also create awareness about the evils of
pollution in administrators and decision makers and give clear idea about
seriousness of problem if pollution is not controlled due to any lapses in effective execution and management.
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