Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Tuesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to evaluate its current operations and deliberate on the state's circular economy roadmap.
The meeting focused on strengthening the board's regulatory framework and enforcement mechanisms to address environmental challenges more effectively. Officials presented updates on industrial compliance monitoring, waste management protocols, and air and water quality surveillance across the state.
Discussions centered on advancing the circular economy initiative, which aims to transform waste into resources through recycling, reuse, and sustainable production practices. The roadmap outlines strategies for plastic waste management, construction debris recycling, and industrial byproduct utilization.
Ahuja directed officials to enhance coordination between the pollution control board and other government departments to ensure seamless implementation of environmental policies. He emphasized the need for capacity building within the OSPCB and the adoption of digital tools for real-time monitoring.
The review comes as Odisha seeks to balance industrial growth with environmental sustainability, particularly in mineral-rich regions where mining and manufacturing activities pose significant ecological challenges.
Senior officials from the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, along with OSPCB member secretary and technical staff, attended the meeting held at the state secretariat in Bhubaneswar.
