CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) organised a business meet in the NEERI Auditorium on August 30, 2018 to strengthen the partnership with slaughterhouses and dairy industries for environmental protection. The business meet was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. Ashish M. Paturkar, Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur; Guest of Honour Shri R.K. Rathod, Sr. Manager, Mother Dairy, Nagpur; and Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director, CSIR-NEERI. Dr. N.N. Rao, Chief Scientist and Dr. Girish Pophali, Principal Scientist were also present on this occasion.
While addressing the participants, Prof. Paturkar said that there is a need to assess the status of our country in terms of water consumption and waste management at slaughterhouses and dairy industries. These industries should treat the wastewater before discharging into the environment, he added. He advocated that though environmental norms are enough, the change in mindset is essential to protect our environment from these industries.
He urged the scientists to work on reduction of water consumption and effective treatment processes in slaughterhouses and dairy industries. He pointed out that there is a discrepancy in capacity of slaughterhouses and waste treatment systems. He advised the scientists and industries to design the compact effluent treatment plants (ETPs) to get maximum treatment with minimum cost. The industries should also make profit through recycling of the waste from slaughterhouses and dairy industries, he suggested.
Shri Rathod said that the dairy industry consumes a lot of water. Therefore, efficient water use and effluent management by the dairy processing industry are very much needed, he added. A proper ratio of milk and water should be maintained by the industry, as the milk already contains 80 percent water, he said. He stressed on the need to use more anaerobic treatment systems for methane production from dairy wastewater which can be used as a biofuel. He urged the scientists to explore more environment-friendly processes for the treatment of dairy wastewater.
Earlier, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director, CSIR-NEERI in his welcome address said that CSIR-NEERI has provided the solutions to various industries for waste water treatment and management. He informed that the Institute played a vital role to set up common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) in Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab. He advised the participants to understand the processes and customise at the industry and spread the outcome of this business meet to consultants and practitioners. This business
meet illuminated the issues like segregation, processing, recovery of value-added products from the waste along with the implementation of policies. Dr. Girish Pophali, Principal Scientist gave an overview of this business meet. Dr. A.K. Bansiwal, Head, Business Development Group briefed about the significant achievements of CSIR-NEERI and explored business opportunities. The representatives from State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), industries and research institutions participated in this event.
The scientists Er. Pravin Manekar and Dr. Sukdeb Pal were also involved in organizing this event. Dr. (Mrs) Rima Biswas Mondal, Scientist conducted the proceedings.
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