IN NATURE WE TRUST

Item

Title: IN NATURE WE TRUST
extracted text: Executive Director, Mrs. R. Sundaram presenting a paper at the
Seminar on Industrial Disaster Management and Risk Assessment

Shri Mohan Dharia, Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission,
Inaugurating the Seminar

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
& MANAGEMENT STUDIES

A PROFILE
Objectives

Governing Body

Centre for Environmental & Management Studies is
a society registered under the Societies Registration
Act (vide Regn. No. S - 17306 of 5.2.986). The
main objectives of the society, among others are :

(a)

To be actively involved with and make its
contribution to rural development and preserve
ecology and environment.

(b)

To take part in dealing with the growing
concern for environmental management
resulting from economic growth, increased
urbanisation and population growth.

(c)

To make its various activities-educational &
training, distinctly reflect a global dimension
and perspective.

(d)

To make its various activities internationally
oriented through programmes of collaboration
with Institutions and Centres abroad including
in developing countries in Asia and Africa.

The Centre has the following Governing Body
members :
1.

Prof. K.K. Das:
A distinguished Prof, of
business management with academic and
industrial experience of over thirty years in die
United States and in India.

2.

Mrs. R. Sundaram: A senior executive with
wide experience in business management and
twenty five years social work in rural areas.

3.

Dr. K. L. Anand:
An outstanding Physician
associated with several social organisations in Delhi

Advisory Body

Executive
Committee

4.

Lt. Gen. Mahipat Sinhji PVSM (Retd.):
A distinguished member of the Armed Forces
and Ex. Chairman of State Pollution Control
Board, Gujarat, a highly industrialised State.

5.

Mr. H.D. Baba Patil:
A prominent social
worker. He is also on the Board of Maharashtra
State Electricity Board for over four years.

6.

Mr. K. V. Thangkabalu, M. P.: A prominent
member of Parliament and leading social worker
of Tamil Nadu State.

1.

Mr. Manoj Kumar Jain: An Industrialist with
wide experience in the position of Chief
Executive in several Production Units.

2.

Mr. K. V. Chaubal: An Electrical Engineer by
profession, he has also held position as Chief
Executive in leading companies.

3.

Mr. K.P. Nyati: A consultant of high repution
in environmental management with specific
thrust in waste reduction in Small Scale Sector.

4.

Dr. P. V. Krishna:
A chemical Engineer by
profession; was advisor to Govt, of India. He
was also Project Co-ordinator for a few years
at ILO New Delhi.

The day-to-day activities of the Centre are managed
by a committee consisting of an Executive Director,
a Director and a Registrar. The Executive Director
Mrs. R. Sundaram is a person with wide experience
in social work particularly in rural India for over
twenty five years. She is associated with several
national and international service organisations.
She has been responsible to start social work in
remote areas and to provide leadership in running
such rural organisations.

Activities

I.

Seminars
and
Workshops

Since its inception the Centre has been assiduously
working on several issues relating to ecology and
environment. It has attempted to bring about
attitudinal changes among captains of industry,
industrial workers, students and the general public
for a committed endeavour to save life sustaining
resources and to conserve ecology. In the field of
industrial environment management the Centre has
conducted seminars/workshops on the following
topics:

(a)

Our Environment (Nov. 1986; New Delhi)

(b)

Pollution Control & Environmental
Management (July 1987; New Delhi)

(c)

Industrial Pollution Management (Nov. 1987;
Jaipur)

(d)

National Workshop on Industrial Pollution
Control & Management (Feb. 1988; Jaipur)

(e)

National Seminar on Industrial Disaster
Management & Risk Assessment (March 1989;
Bombay)

(f)

Hazardous Waste Management (Nov. 1989,
Bombay)

(g)

Hazardous Waste Management & Industrial
Pollution Control (April 1990, Baroda)

(h)

Effluent Control & Management of Hazardous
Wastes (December 1990, Bhubaneswar)

(i)

Environmental Safety & Judicious Usage of
Pesticides (March 1991, New Delhi)

(J)

Hazardous Waste Control in Sugar, Distillery,
Paper & Pulp Industry (April 1991; Pune)

(k)

Industrial Environment, Occupational Health
& Safety (Sept. 1991; Bombay)

II. Interaction
with
Legislators

The Centre has realised the importance of involving
the elected representatives of people in the gigantic
task of preserving ecology and ensuring
environmental safety. Accordingly the Centre
organised a seminar on the subject of Co-ordination
between NGOs and the Elected Representatives of
People in Environmental themes. The seminar was
addressed by Dr. Balram Jhakar, Speaker, Lok
Sabha, Shri Z. R. Ansari, Environment Minister and
other M. Ps. The efforts of the Centre in this
direction has generally been appreciated.

III. Publication
of
Proceedings

The proceedings of all these seminars and workshops
containing useful information on policies,
management aspects and technological
considerations etc. have been published.

IV. Participation
in National &
International
Seminars

The Centre has also participated in seminars and
workshops held on the subject of Environment by
other organisations, notably:

1.

World Bank Policy on Rural Development and
Role of Women (Bangalore; organised by
BIRDS)

2.

Sustainable Development (New Delhi;
organised by Development Alternatives)

3.

Eco 1992; New Delhi hearing (New Delhi;
organised by Development Alternatives)

4.

Pollution Prevention and Low Waste
Technologies New Delhi; organised by Carl
Duisberg Casselschaft, Germany and NPC.

5.

Population-2000 AD. (New Delhi; organised
by Centre for Parliamentarians on Development
& Population)

6.

Workshop on Implementation of Rules relating
to Hazardous Substances (Bombay; organised
by Ministry of Environment & Forests)

7.

Workshop on Hazardous Substances
(Chandigarh; organised by Ministry of
Environment & Forests)

8

Conference ol NGOS on I ra’in .ninent arid
Development organised by the Ministry of
Environment & Forests (New Delhi, May
1992).

9.

The Centre has also been invited to participate
as an observer in Earth summit to be held in
Brazil in June, 1992.

V.

Ecology
Regeneration

Under a project for greening the environment the
Centre planted 100 saplings at Balgarh run by
Lions International. A project for similar work around
Jaipur city is under preparation.

VI.

Awareness
Programme

Under Environment Awareness Campaign 1990
the Centre conducted painting competition among
students of 10 schools in Delhi on environmental
themes. Three of these schools were for mentally
retarded children living in resettlement colonies and
of very poor strata. This programme is conducted
on annual basis. In 1992 Essay competition was
held in 10 Schools.

VII.

Rural
Health
Management

Malaria is a wide spread disease endemic in certain
parts of the country. The anti-malaria programme
is in existence for over four decades but the resurgence
and escalation of the disease is calling for new
orientation in its management. The Centre on
behalf of Government of India conducted survey in
four villages severely affected by malaria and among
others suggested (a) Environmental modification
(b) An intensive health education campaign
(c) Involvement of the rural people in die programme
etc. for reinforcing the present efforts. In this juncture
because of illiteracy, blind beliefs and other socio
cultural factors which hinder development of a
scientific out-look and for the purpose of creating
awareness of health issues which shot t’d wholly fonn

concern of an individual in his as well as community's
interest the Centre produced a video film for mass
communication purpose in rural areas which aims
at:
1.
discarding of superstitious practices
2. acceptance of modem scientific techniques in
health management.
3. improving personal and social hygiene and
sanitation etc.
This mass communication film has received wide
acclaim.

VIII Work with
Rural Women
and Children

About 80% of the population live in rural areas. The
rural women in particular suffer from several
disadvantages due to social, cultural and economic
factors. Over 50% of the women are still illiterate
and are not exposed to modem trends in life.
The Centre has been working in four villages for
creating awareness among rural women of modem
developments particularly in improving environment
and sanitation and hygiene. These women are
taught to give up antiquated customs and practices
and to imbibe modem ideas and thought.

EX

Future Plans The Centre believes that behavioral and attitudinal
changes coupled with development of social
responsibility is an essential component in measures
to be adopted for conserving ecology and preventing
environmental degradation. With this end in view it
intends to work in rural sector and urban
conglomerations on mass contact programme aimed
at arousing public conscience on the subject of
environmental management. The curtain of apathy
bom out of poverty and ignorance has to be lifted
and information and knowledge has to be instilled.
The Centre intends to go about this by producing
video cassettes on mass media campaigns and
dissemination of information through documentation
etc. Foran indepth understanding of sectorial issues
it is proposed to survey and prepare study reports on
specific environmental segments and research on
appropriate themes suited to rural technology.

Some Messages

VICE PRESIDENT
INDIA
NEW DELHI

November 2, 1986.

MESSAGE
The Centre -for Environment and Management Studies
has my felicitations on the occasion of its inauguration.
While a wholesome Environment is a cherished goal,
Management is a valued means for achieving that goal.
Both Environment and Management are based upon
Balance. Any situation, whether natural or man-made, if it
is imbalanced, cannot but become unstable and deteriorate.
I have pleasure in extending my best wishes to the Centre
for its professionalized and useful study of the important
subjects selected by it.

Vice President of India

Some Messages . . ...

PRIME MINISTER

MESSAGE
The proper management of the environment is one of
the primary tasks before the nation today. It is clear now
that the country's prosperity and well-being is linked with
how well we can preserve our environment. It is a concern
which must be appreciated both by the people and the
government for its requires the participation of all I am
glad that we have voluntary organisations coming forth to
contribute in this direction.
I send my good wishes for the success of the Seminar
on "Our Environment" being organised by the Centre for
Environmental and Management Studies this month

Nev/ Delhi
November 14, 1986

(Rajiv Gandhi)

Some Messages

SPEAKER
LOK SABHA
NEW DELHI
Dated 4-11-1986

Message
I uni glad to know that the Centre for 1 nvironmcntal and Management
Studies established for undertaking research in environmental management,
rural development education eli. propose tu highlight the problems caused by
environmental pollution and bringing about better public awareness about its
hazards.
I nviionrnrnial degradation is a major threat to man kind in the picsent
century Pressures of burgeoning population pollution caused by rapid
industralisution, apathy ami ignorance ol the people to mention ccologL.il
balance, have resulted in violation of natural systems As in other parts of the
world, India is also increasingly concerned a >out the enormity of this problem
Concerted action both on the part of the public agencies and voluntary
organizations will be requited to preserve and nulurc u healthy environment, so
very essential for our survival on this earth.
I send my good wishes to the Centre which is being inaugurated on (he
20th November und hope it would succeed iu its endeavours I am sure the
deliberations at the Seminar on 'Our Environment* being organised by the
Centre on the occasion will help in evolving fresh ideas for better management
environment.

(BAL

AM JAKHAR)

What the media say.........

The Hindu

Environment protection: call
for public awareness
NEW DELHI, July 22. The Union
Textiles Minister, Mr. Ram Niwas
Mirdha, said today that development
and environmental concerns should go
hand in hand.

Inaugurating a seminar on pollution
and environmental management,
Mr.Mirdha said mere passing of laws
relating to environment would have no
effect unless public opinion was vigilant
and widespread.

The three-day seminar, organised by
the Centre for Environmental and
Management Studies (CEMS), will
consider issues relating to environment
and public awareness & industry.

Mr. Mirdha said India had pioneered
environmental protection in the world,
and it was obligatory that it take the lead
in this respect. He regretted that the
administration was still not fully geared
to cope with this problem and often the
standards laid down were “very
unrealistic”.
He called for a constant awareness
campaign, especially among the youth,
to safeguard the world’s dwindling
natural resources.

The Minister of State for Industry,
Mr.M. Arunachalam, said one of the
difficult challenges at present was
safeguarding against industrial effluents
going into the rivers. The Ganga Action
Plan was a major step in this direction.

He gave details of technologies being
inducted for recycling municipal waste
and water treatment plants being set up
by industries. He also provided salient
facts relating to afforestation:
prevention, containment and recovery.
Guidelines had been issued to States on
steps to be taken before any industry
was granted a licence.
The Rajasthan Chief Minister,
Mr. Harideo Joshi, who was the chief
guest, emphasised the need for involving
social organisations and the common
man for working towards a pollutionfree environment.
In his keynote address, the Ganga
Development Authority projccldircc tor,
Mr. K.C. Sivaramakrishnan, said the
role of non-govemmcntal and voluntary
organisations was important in this
regard and the Environment Ministry
was now treating them as an extension
of the Ministry.
There had been a dramatic change in
the last five years in the outlook towards
environment and the issue had been
taken up at a political level. Twenty
State Governments had full-fledged
State Pollution Control Boards.
The CEMS’s executive director,
Mrs. R.Sundaram and seminar
coordinator Mr.R.K.Warrier regretted
that mankind had degraded the
environment in its struggle for survival
against the elements — UNI.
0

Times of India

What the media say ........

Poverty eradication the
major issue
By A Staff Reporter

The Chairman of Pollution Control

NEW DELHI, July 23: Though the

Board explained the legal framework

government had taken several steps for

contemplated to tackle this problem.

environment preservation, a major issue

The board also felt confident of

that continues to negate the effort is the

controlling the emission problem in

existence of poverty.

power plants and small scale industries

This was said by the Union Minister for

adequately.

communication, Mr Arjun Singh, at the

On water pollution the problem was

afternoon session of the seminar on

basically concentrated on flow from

Pollution Control and Environment

Najafgarh drains into Yamuna. One of

management, organised by the Centre

the speakers sounded a note of caution

for Environmental and Management

about the functioning of conventional

Studies.

sewage treatment plants, which were

Certain facts contrary to generally held

still not fool proof. The speaker felt that

beliefs were brought out by speakers in

small de-centralised biologically treated

the morning session. The speakers

systems work more effectively and were

pointed out that 60 per cent of pollution

capable of rich dividend and cost

in the Capital was attributable to

effectiveness in the long run.

automobile emission and 95 per cent to

petrol. This was particularly true in
case of vehicles and two-wheelers.

What the media say,,,,.

Times of India

Plea to tackle pollution
problems on voluntary basis
BY A STAFF REPORTER

PUNE, APRIL 15:
The pollution problems in sugar,
distillery, paper and pulp industries
would have to be tackled on a voluntary
basis by a change in corporate
objectives rather than enforcement
through legal measures.
This was the candid opinion of the
Executive Director of Centre for
Environmental and Management
Studies (CEMS) Mrs. R. Sundaram
while delivering her address at the two
day seminar on environmental hazards
and their control in sugar, distillery,
pulp and paper industries which was
inaugurated by minister of state for
environment Mr Sayed Ahmed here
today.

Mrs. L.F. Poonawala, Vice Chairperson
and Managing Director of Alfa Laval,
was of the opinion that avoidance of
pollution would improve the quality of
human life.

She pleaded that the viability of
anti-pollution investment should not be
judged in terms of pay back for return
on investment. She pleaded that the
government must consider giving
incentives for environmental measures
similar to those given for export.
Delivering the key note address, Lt.
Gen Mahipat Singhji pleaded for
planning in environmental control,
utilisation of resources, land earmarking
plan etc. He cautioned, "we were moving
towards a point of no return in our
pollution hazards".

The minister speaking at this
seminar, jointly organised by the CEMS
and the Maharashtra Pollution Control
Board, urged the participants not to
practise anti pollution measures on the
table alone, but to go to the field.

Mr Boroi, state labour secretary, in
turn emphasised that the hazards of
pollution would affect the well being
and safety of the labour. Mr Dr. Rasa!,
member secretary of Maharashtra
Pollution Control Board, proposed a
vote of thanks.

The Divisional Commissioner Mr
Arun Bongirwar, in his presidential
address, said that the concept of science
and pollution was a dynamic one and
needed constant monitoring.

The seminar would bee held in six
sessions. The first session dealt with
bio-earth composting, a novel scheme
which claims to achieve zero pollution
from the distillery effluent.

Hindustan Times

What the media say.........

Pollution needs more airing
Hindustan Times Correspondent

Extending the same theme, Rajasthan

NEW DELHI, July 22-Merestringent

Chief Minister Hardeo Joshi, who was
also the chief guest, said that progress

laws on pollution control penalising
those who break them would remain
ineffective unless the common man

to many only meant making more money

or development. But it was never
visualised that with increasing

was involved and exposed to these
issues. This was the view shared by
most speakers at a three-day seminar
on pollution and environment

population and betterment of life “our

management, inaugurated here today.

He cited the example of Pali a small
village in his State where with the

The participants including Ministers,
senior officers from the Ministry of

needs were also rising and in fulfilling
them certain other areas of our life were
being affected.”

increase in the block printingand dyeing

Environment; Members of the

trade, the Government was faced with

Parliament and representatives of the
industry, also felt that environment

the bigger problem of a chemical

emotional pleas but rather seen in its

pollution of a neighbouring river.
Cultural barriers were sc strong that
even educated people were not

totality and as a part of everyday life.

environment conscious. A doctor would

should not be seen as a series of

Textile Minister Ram Niwas Mirdha

in his inaugural address noted that
development and environment
concerns should go hand in hand.
The administration, he regretted, was

still not geared to cope with these
problems and often the standards laid

down were “very unrealistic”.

be smoking in his patient’s room or
teachers talking al 1 sorts of th ings before

their students. There were others who
were unable to understand the letter of
law and kept spitting all over the place

including in the hospitals.

The Times of India

What the media say , . . . .

Efficacy of pollution control
laws urged
By Our Legal Correspondent

JAIPUR, November 21.

consulting experts on the subject

However, pollution control boards

LEGAL experts today suggested
measures for effective implementation

of the air, water and noise pollution

control laws for maintaining the
ecological balance.
Participating in the concluding session

ofa two-day seminar on “Manage-ment

of Industrial Pollution” Dr. S J4. Dhyani,

Dean, Rajasthan University Law
College, suggested that the state water
pollution control boards should guide
industrialists, to enable them to avoid

aggravating the problem. The boards

should also invite suggestions from

industrialists so that a healthy interaction
takes place between the two in their
attempts for a clean environment

Dr. Dhyani further suggested that the

boards should not act in an arbitrary or

bureaucratic manner, rather they should
try to find workable solutions, after

should discharge their responsibilities

U'ith the utmost care and caution. The
boards should take immediate action
against any industry committing an

offence under pollution control laws.
Mr. Shukla, legal expert of the pollution

board, said that industrialists, were
themselves not aware of pollution

control laws.

Mr.K.L. Jain laid stress on introduction
of new devices in industries for

preventing pollution. He suggested that
industrialists develop research and

development wings in their industries
for reducing the quantity and toxicity of
affluents.

Mr. Jain suggested that pollution can

be controlled by industries, they
coordinate with the state pollution

control boards.

Q

Appreciation

Phone:

Dharmapuri
Salem
New Delhi

6566
77424
3711525

12-C, 6th Main Road,
K.B. Nagar, Adayar,
Madras - 600 020

K.V. THANGKA BA LU
Member of Parliament
(Lok Sabha)
Dharmapuri Constituency
Vice-President
Tamil Nadu Congress

1, V.K. Koil Road,
Shivaya Nagar, Reddiyur,
Salem-636 016

13th May 1992

Dear Smt. R. Sundaramji,
For over two decades now Environment has been a major concern for
both developed and developing countries. Developing countries like India are
particularly beset with issues which they have to tackle in the light of their
ambition for quick economic progress and improve living condition of the
population.

I have been closely watching the activities of Centre for Environmental
and Management Studies for over four years and it gives me great pleasure to
observe that the Centre has been perceiving environmental issues with open
mind and has been providing inputs which should provide right direction in the
management of environment. Its work with the rural masses particularly in
creating awareness of and building up of self reliance in managing human
settlement environment for public goods is of considerable merit.
I wish the Centre all success in its endeavors.

With best regards,
Yours sincerely,

(K V THANGKA BALU)
Smt. R Sundaram,
Executive Director,
Centre for Environmental and
Management Studies,
New Delhi.

What Experts say ....

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(fwn U\). in : f^rpn.

'TTTJ Tel583272
: 31 771 61-IARI-IN

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS
Indian Agricultural Research I run tuta
New Delhi-110012. India
Telephones : 587390. 582140-42 (Ext. 226)

Cable : Knshipusa. Telex : 3177161-IARI-IN

0...4..... 24,4, 92

Dear Mr. Sundaram,

>i

Kindly refer to your letter No. nil dated
Feb. 18, 1992.
I an in receipt of a printed copy
of the proceedings of the seminar on "Environmental
Safety and Judicious usage of Pesticides". The
minutes have been beautifully recorded and will be
an asset for personnel working in this area.
I
thank you for the proceedings.

With regards.

Yours sincerely,

Ur. K. Sundaraa
Regis trar
Centre for Environmental
and Management Studies
20F Sasant Lok
Vasant Vlhar
New Delhi 110057

The Executive Director Mrs. R. Sundaram
Speaking at a Seminar

A rural Health Check-up Camp in progress

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