The ‘Public Outreach’ programme was organized at CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur on the second day of the ‘One Week One Lab’ campaign, which began on 8 April 2023. The Chief Guest Prof. Anil Sole, President of Fortune Foundation and Former Mayor, Nagpur Municipal Corporation inaugurated the event. Dr. Atul Vaidya, Director, CSIR-NEERI and public representatives were also present on this occasion.
Addressing the audience, Prof. Sole said that environment and unemployment are two major issues which need to be addressed. He briefed about the initiatives taken by him for environment protection when he was the Mayor of Nagpur Municipal Corporation. He informed that the concept of eco-friendly immersion by installing artificial ponds was introduced by him to prevent water pollution. He said that CSIR-NEERI will have to play a big role in the New Education Policy which underlines the importance of making environmental education an integral part of curricula and encouraging environmental awareness. He urged the scientists to make environmental information available to the public and representatives of civil society.
Dr. G.K. Khadse, Sr. Principal Scientist gave presentation on the research work undertaken by CSIR-NEERI. The former MLAs and Corporators took part in this event and interacted with the CSIR-NEERI scientists on various issues like water treatment and management, sewage treatment, safe drinking water supply, lake rejuvenation, leakage in drinking water network and in sewer lines etc. Dr. A D Bhanarkar, Chief Scientist, Dr. Aabha Sargaonkar, Chief Scientist, Dr. G K Khadse, Sr. Principal Scientist, Dr. S Y Bodkhe, Sr. Principal Scientist and Dr. Asheesh Sharma, Principal Scientist, responded to the queries of the public representatives. Dr. Milind Mane, Shri Vijay Zalke, Shri Rajesh Ghodpage, Dr. Parineeta Fuke, Shri Ram Munje, Shri Sheshrao Gotmare, Shri Sanjay Chawre, Shri Jitendra Ghodeswar, Ms. Sangita Girhe, Ms. Pragati Patil, Shri Sunil Hiranwar, Ms. Ujwala Sharma, Shri Sanjay Bangale, Shri Dharmpal Meshram, Shri Jitendra Kukde, and Ms. Vandana Bhagat were among the public representatives who participated in this event.
The general public visited the Institute and found out about various techniques, products and research works. Cycle rally was organized in the morning. A skit was performed by students at Freedom Park, Nagpur for creating environmental awareness. The skit was jointly performed by CSIR-NEERI and Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Nagpur. CSIR-NEERI in association with JanAkrosh also organized a campaign against noise pollution for the general public at Ajni Chowk, Nagpur.