Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on World Environment Day organized Delhi Environment Summit 2015: “Towards a Clean and Green Society” on 5th June 2015 at The Leela Palace Hotel, New Delhi. Faculty members Ms. Sangeeta Singla, Mr. Ashok Kumar (Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities) and Ms. Jincy Elsa Jose (Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering) from Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon attended the event.

The Summit focused on Air pollution, ways of improving the air quality, solar energy, green buildings, waste management and role of technology. The prominent topics of discussion at the meet were to develop innovative ideas to use solar energy and other alternate energy resources; recycling and reuse of non-biodegradable products; E-waste recycling and reuse; Recycling and reuse of water; and bio-waste on domestic platform. The main aim of this summit was to make a greener India.

Mr. Rahul Munjal, Convener, CII Delhi Panel on Environment and Sustainability and Managing Director, Hero Future Energies Pvt. Ltd. said there is a need to have laws to promote use of solar energy through special incentives and schemes. He discussed about the Delhi Environment Campaign organized by CII as a precursor to the Summit. As part of the campaign, cleanliness and plantation drives were organised across various colonies of Delhi motivating and urging citizens on reducing the use of plastic. Through the campaign, CII reached out to over 1000 citizens and 750 households. He also mentioned that the industry with CII envisions Delhi to be a solar city by 2020 and also increase the green cover of Delhi to 35% from current 20%.

Mr. Asim Ahmed Khan, Minister of Environment & Forests, Govt. Of NCT of Delhi inaugurated the Summit. He said that the industry must initiate focused efforts to conserve the environment and recognize the areas that need attention. He mentioned that to reduce the level of vehicular pollution in Delhi Government is looking to stop the movement of commercial vehicles and about banning of burning of leaves in Delhi. Penalties and strict measures have been adopted to implement this. He urged all the citizens to actively participate in the plantation drive being organized.

Lending her support to the Environment Summit, Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, Member of Parliament encouraged citizens to be involved and leaders in implementing sustainable development. She mentioned that waste can also be considered a valuable resource if it is disposed and recycled properly with best technology options available.

Mr. S. S. Yadav, CEO, Delhi Jal Board spoke about recycling of water for various purposes. He also spoke about reducing extraction of groundwater and promoting use of treated water and implementing rainwater harvesting. He further added that special Rainwater Harvesting Cell setup the Delhi Jal Board to assist RWAs with implementation.

Dr. Alka Kaul, Chairperson, CII Delhi State Council and Director, Horizon Industrial Products Pvt. Ltd said that the entire process of environmental conservation must be re-energised with holistic regulatory measures. Dr. Kaul urged the participants to take charge of the situation and adopt measures to improve the situation.

Other dignitaries present at the summit were Shri Kamal Meattle, CEO of Paharpur Business Centre and Software Technology Incubator Park; Dr. Bharat Inder Singh, Maxmedicentre Delhi; Prof. (Mrs.) Pramila Goyal, Centre of Atmospheric Sciences IIT Delhi; Dr. Niraj Sharma, Principal Scientist CSIR-CRRI; and Dr. Himanshu Dholakia, Research Associate in Council of Energy, Environment and Water.