Ecological sustainability stressed for industrial dev in WB

The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) today laid emphasis on ecological sustainability for industrial development in West Bengal.
A discussion in this regard was held here today to bring together the stakeholders of Haldia industrial region, policy makers and industry leaders.
The initiative was taken to bring to light the best practices to aid the state's industrial growth in an appropriate way.
This was the sequel of the inaugural edition held in Durgapur in February last focusing on Durgapur-Asansol Industrial Belt.
Over the last several years, the Chamber has been providing a relevant and sustainable forum towards promoting clean technology access and energy and environment management.

It has endeavoured to focus on sustainable development and to disseminate information and educate business, industry and civil society about the importance and need of balancing industrial growth with ecological stability.

Chamber president Sutanu Ghosh believed that addressing the environmental impacts in the industrial region is the need of the hour.
Ghosh said, "The port city Haldia in East Midnapore district is an important destination in the industrial map of West Bengal. With industries like agrochemicals, chemicals, petrochemicals, manufacturing, energy and oil refineries, it has reaped considerable success as far as development is concerned."
"But to sustain any long term development one has to move forward with measures to keep the delicate ecological balance intact or it can upset the process of progress and ultimately prove detrimental to normal life," he said.

A host of speakers representing various industries observed that because of busy industrial activity, Haldia region is prone to air and water pollution.
Dangers of liquid chemical effluents is there, so utmost care should be taken to minimize the hazards of releasing industrial by-products, which is of paramount importance not only for civil life but ocean life as well, the speakers said.
"So, importance of active waste management, recycling practices and proper effluent treatments are the keys to minimize the damages caused by rapid industrialization. Industries should grow but not at the expense of bio diversity," the speakers observed.