The ESR, which will be tabled before the general body (GB) meeting, states: “The Mula, Mutha rivers stand in class IV category rivers, according to the central pollution control board. Human interference, water from nullahs and untreated sewage water are the main reasons for river pollution. Also, the residential waste water which flows from nullahs and small-scale industry waste water flowing in river is major cause for concern” states the ESR.

The oxygen in the water at Khadakwasla dam was found to be 5.98 mili gram/litre, which turns to zero when the water reaches the city. The water from the Mula and Mutha rivers can be used for agriculture and industrial processing. Water from Katraj and Pashan lakes fall in the class II category and can be used for drinking purposes, after purification, the report states.

Wastewater quality indicators, such as the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) (the laboratory tests to determine the wastewater effect upon fish and aquatic plant life) in Mula and Mutha are also rising.

“The rising levels of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Particulate Matter (RSPM) in the air is an indicator of the declining air quality. The rising vehicular movement in the city is a major reason for the increasing SPM and RSPM,” states the ESR, adding that alarming rise of particulate matter (PM 10) is also cause for concern.

The survey conducted by the PMC has also revealed that sound levels in city are also on the rise. The maximum sound level was found at Mandai (109.86 decibels) while Khadakwasla recorded the lowest sound level (43. 08 decibles).

“General sound levels in the city were found much higher as were the levels during festivals like Diwali, Dahi-Handi, Ganesh festival and Navratri,” the report states.

The ESR has recommended that a 100-metre area around hospitals and educational institutes be declared a silent zone’ and the implementation of the concerned rule should be observed strictly. The ESR has also appealed to citizens to establish pressure groups to put pressure on the implementing agencies to curb rising sound pollution.

For now, let’s take a quick walkthrough of what’s been happening about the garbage piles and finally its disposal, chronologically, from various online news sources:

• 11th May: Garbage impasse continues… Villagers sceptical of promises
• 13th May: PMC put on notice over garbage
• 13th May: Garbage piles up: 8000 tonnes so far
• 13th May: Tackle issue at ward level: municipal chief
• 14th May: PMC tries to bury garbage secretly on private land
• 14th May: Garbage stir ends on pledge to stop dumping
• 14th May: Now, operation clean-up begins

The Election results have reached the headlines and the since the PMC has pledged to take care of the garbage disposal, since the highly media splashed dose plus a notice from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, we can’t find any further news for now. Will update as something reaches us.

Hoping that Kalmadi brings a change to the city like he did during CYG.

PS: If you’d prefer news snippets along with the links to the full-length articles, drop in a comment. We’ll look into it.

DNA/PUNE/14th Mar. ‘09: The Ghole Road ward office of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has set a fuel-saving example. A bio-gas plant, which runs on the waste collected from hotels and restaurants located on the Fergusson College (FC) and Jungli Maharaj (JM) roads, has been set up on its premises.

The biogas plant is used by the employees of the ward office to make tea that is served to the staff and visitors. Initiated by the ward medical officer Dr Sanjeev Wavare, the biogas plant also helps the staff save money. “We no longer pay for chai. Instead we make it here,” said a ward official.

Wavare said the biogas plant can treat 15 kg of waste everyday. “The staff of the ward office collects the waste (left over food, vegetables) from the hotels and restaurants and then puts it straightaway in the funnel of the plant,” he said. An equal quantity of water is then added to the waste. “The output of 15 kg of waste is around 250 gm of biogas, which is sufficient for a family of five to prepare tea, breakfast and lunch,” said Wavare.

There are around 275 hotels and restaurants located on the FC and JM roads. “These hotels generate around 16 tonnes of waste every day,” he said, adding that the ward office has now been propagating others to set up biogas plants and use this waste to generate gas. “This initiative at the ward office was aimed at treating the waste at source,” he said.

On a daily basis, the ward office collects around 80 to 90 kg of hotel waste and with addition of vermiculture to the waste, manure is produced in eight days.  The design and specification of the biogas plant has been approved by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. “This is a small plant and the cost is just around Rs15,000,” he said.

After this successful venture, the ward office has also suggested the idea to city colleges. According to Wavare, the Shri Shivaji Preparatory Military School (SSPMS) has already set up a biogas plant with the help of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The cost of the one tonne capacity biogas plant is between Rs9 to Rs10 lakh, he said.

Similarly, the Symbiosis Institute on Senapati Bapat Road and Symbiosis Institute of Management at Vimannagar have set up biogas plants of one tonne each. The Dina Institute in Model Colony has set up a 50 kg biogas plant. “These institutes have large campuses and along with canteen/hotel wastes, they also generate biodegradable waste such as leaves and other waste material. This can produce quality manure,” he said.

A bio-gas plant of one tonne capacity can produce gas equivalent to nearly five domestic cylinders in a day. According to Wavare, there are around 37 biogas plants in the city.

The aim behind the project was to demonstrate to citizens that garbage segregation can reap rich benefits. Besides, the ward office employees now have a garden where they can spend a few moments during their hectic day. The rooftop garden was inaugurated by MLA Girish Bapat on Thursday, who lauded the initiative and said that similar projects should be taken up at all ward offices. 

Ward officer Madhav Jagtap said the wet waste collected from some 100 households in the ward was used in the garden. “Wet waste was used as manure for the potted plants. Besides flowering and medicinal plants, we have also grown vegetables like pumpkin and bitter gourd,” Jagtap said. 

He added that the terrace garden will now be opened to the public to show them that they can grow their own plants using the wet waste generated at their homes. 

“We are planning to have 20-minute tours for citizens. They will be taken around the terrace garden and explained how it has been grown. We have put up informative boards about the medicinal plants,” Jagtap stated. “Ultimately, we want all the wet waste generated in the ward to be used within it for productive purposes such as this,” he added.

[source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Pune/Ward-office-uses-wet-waste-to-develop-garden/articleshow/4197852.cms]

School children have done it though. Following is a press coverage from The Times of India, Pune edition.

TOI/PUNE/19th Feb ‘09: In a bid to spread environmental awareness among students and citizens, 20 schools in Pimpri-Chinchwad will soon be engaged in environment monitoring. The schools will also monitor and make observations about weather on a regular basis.

The decision to involve schools in environmental awareness comes after resolutions were taken at the science congress which was organised last week by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Khagol Vishwa (an organisation for amateur astronomers) the Rotary Club and SNBP school. The theme of the event was ideal city environment’, and the organisers decided to undertake activities which would help create awareness about environment protection and weather changes.

According to Mayuresh Prabhune of Khagol Vishwa, the schools will monitor pollution of the Pavana river and undertake activities to stop pollution with the help of the municipal corporation and other social groups.

In order to monitor environmental pollution, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has two monitoring stations, one in Pimpri-Chinchwad’s industrial area and the second in the residential area. Prabhune said that the MPCB would be requested to start more such centres.

The schools will also monitor weather conditions with the help of the India Meteorological Society. At present, the municipal corporation itself monitors the maximum and minimum temperatures and the rainfall. There is also a plan to form a science club which will undertake various activities. Information about the environment and the weather conditions will be collected and analysed, Prabhune said.

The science congress received an overwhelming response from students and citizens alike. Exhibitions, and lectures by eminent experts were organised during the four-day event.

[source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Pune/20-schools-to-take-up-environment-monitoring/articleshow/4152222.cms]

Trees on Varsity Campus Saved from Axe:

On another note, for the campus makeover of University of Pune, the road widening planhas been withdrawn to save trees being axed.

Read the complete coverage here.

IndianExpress/PUNE/19th Feb ‘09: Pune is aiming for a safari park each for leopards and deer, with the former planned under the jurisdiction of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the latter on the terrain of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) The civic bodies are looking to allocate 100 acres for each project, but both will settle for 50.

Pune municipal comissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi said the civic administration was scouting for space to house the leopard safari park and has finally zeroed in on two spots. “One location under consideration is at Baner-Pashan and the other is inside Katraj Zoo. Both these spots offer ample scope to set up the park. The park is certainly coming up on any one of the two locations,” he said.

Pointing out that only Borivali has such a park at present, Pardeshi said the process for setting up a leopard safari park in Pune had begun after the civic body received an in-principle approval from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Nagpur. “We have appointed experts for preparing a plan for the park,” Pardeshi said, adding that frequent straying of leopards into city areas had prompted the move.

Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal commissioner Asheesh Sharma said the deer safari park will come up at Talawade. “I have already written to the divisional commissioner and the district collector about allocating us 100 acres in the area,” he said.

Over 38 hectares (nearly 100 acres) in Talawade that belongs to the state government has been with the PCMC for maintenance. “Once we are allotted this land, we will start the works. The reservations for public amenities like garden and playground there would be clubbed together for the sake of the safari park,” he said.

Avinash Patil, deputy director of PCMC’s Town Planning department, said the Talawade land was handed over to the PCMC in 1997 for maintenance purpose and later fencing of the land was allowed.

PCMC’s zoo director Anilkumar Khaire said the “semi-dry” climate of Pune was suitable for the leopard and deer safari parks. “Both deer and leopards are common in Junnar taluka of Pune district,” he said.

Khaire said several types of deer are found across the country, but the PCMC will initially house at least three varieties of deer. “Those available in the Western Ghats will get top priority,” he said.

The PCMC will soon seek permission from the Central Zoo Authority for setting up the deer safari park. Pardeshi and his team of zoo officials had discussed the projects at a meeting last month with minister Ajit Pawar.

Pet cemetery

The plan to set up two safari parks follows the distinction of a unique pet cemetery, arguably the first in the country to be set up by a civic body. Set up by the PCMC at Nehrunagar in April 2007, it has had over 400 burials so far.

[source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/spot-a-leopard-in-city-and-a-deer-next-door/425477/]

[image courtesy: http://flickr.com/photos/arnolouise/2883943507/sizes/m/]

Speaking to TOI, municipal commissioner Ashish Sharma said that a detailed project report on water recycling has already been prepared. This report will soon be submitted to the Union government so that the corporation can implement the project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

According to Sharma, the corporation is looking at providing 120 MLD treated sewage water for industrial use from its various sewage treatment plants including the one at Kasarwadi. “We will be able to provide water at competitive rates. The location of the STP at Kasarwadi is convenient for providing water in the industrial belt of Bhosari and Pimpri,” he said.

The PCMC is also looking at power generation from sewage treatment plants, though the plan is in the initial stage, Sharma said.

As part of the works to be completed under JNNURM, the PCMC has completed the work of construction of four sewage treatment plants at Pimpale Nilakh, Chinchwad, Ravet and Kasarwadi. At Kasarwadi, the corporation already has one plant of 40 MLD capacity which is functional. Another plant of the same capacity is being built there. The other STPs that are functional include Chinchwad (30 MLD), Pimpale Nilakh (20 MLD), and Chikhli (32 MLD). The PCMC proposes to start more STPs at Akurdi (30 MLD), Ravet (20 MLD), Chinchwad (30 MLD) and Charholi (21 MLD).

Incidentally, district guardian minister Ajit Pawar had asked the PCMC to undertake water recycling projects on a large scale. His suggestion had come at a function in May last year when he laid the foundation stone for the Rs 400-crore ambitious project of laying a direct pipeline from Pavana dam to Ravet to meet the water supply needs of the twin township. He had pointed out that the Pavana river, from where PCMC draws nearly 340 MLD water for drinking purposes, gets highly polluted from Chinchwad onwards, due to release of domestic and industrial effluents from the twin township.

Meanwhile, welcoming the increased allocation for JNNURM projects in the interim Union budget, Sharma said that the municipal corporation wants to focus on the Pavana river improvement project. Similarly, development of two temples along the Pavana river banks the Moraya Gosavi Samadhi temple in Chinchwadgaon and the Jhulelal temple in Pimpri, as heritage structures, is top priority. The PCMC also wants to start work on stormwater drainage and nullahs, he said.

Regarding works related to BRTS which are to be funded under JNNURM, Sharma said the PCMC has received sanction for four routes. The PCMC, he said, wants to complete the Nashik phata flyover on top priority. The work, which is funded under JNNURM, is estimated to incur an expenditure of over Rs 90 crore. The corporation has already floated tenders for the work, he added.

[source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Pune/PCMC-planning-to-step-up-water-recycling/articleshow/4152204.cms]

10 February, 2009, Pune: Praj Industries, the globally leading biofuels technology & solutions Company announced break-through in cellulosic biomass to ethanol technology at Pilot Scale. Praj formally inaugurated its cellulosic ethanol pilot plant at its R & D Centre called Praj Matrix – The Innovation Centre near Pune.

The Laboratory facility at Praj Matrix was put into operation in April 2008 with the objective of promoting basic research and its scale up for non-food biofuels and industrial biotech processes. The first phase of the scaled up program has now been achieved with this break-through wherein the pilot plant has successfully demonstrated production of ethanol from corn cob and sugarcane bagasse under varying operating conditions. This follows proven bench scale process development for which Praj has already filed for patents.

“We are proud to say that Praj Matrix facilities can now be counted as the best-in-class advanced biofuels research facilities across the globe. It is perhaps also the only one of its kind on this side of the hemisphere. In fact, the break-through puts us right on top of the league with advanced nations”, said Pramod Chaudhari, Chairman, Praj.

As production of ethanol is expected to double by 2012, feedstock expansion has become a top agenda, fostering intensive R & D activities in this field. Most of the R & D has been promoted in USA and some in Europe, mainly assisted through government grants. Praj Matrix advanced biofuels pilot plant will propel India into a different league of countries pursuing sustainable and secure energy resources.

“On the occasion of our silver jubilee year celebrations, we dedicate Praj Matrix Pilot Plant to all Prajiites, employees and stakeholders, who have demonstrated unstinting support towards this dream which has now come much closer to realization”, added Pramod Chaudhari, Chairman Praj.

“Further work would also involve scaling up to the next level of ‘commercial demo plant’ where the Company plans to add on the cellulosic module to an existing conventional distillery where the basic feedstock is easily available. We are already in discussions with a few distilleries and have received encouraging responses from them. Very soon we will start execution of the commercial demo plant”, added Shashank Inamdar, CEO & MD, Praj Industries.

These breakthroughs are expected to present a new set of opportunities for Praj.

“We are also working on technologies where the approach of cellulosic ethanol production process can be made widely applicable to other industrial chemicals/products. This will enable Praj to gain foot-prints in the domain of Industrial Biotech.” Said Balu Sarma, Chief Technology Officer, Praj-Matrix.

The strength of scientists and technologists at R & D has gone up to seventy five in a span of a year comprising of doctoral and post graduates in different fields.

Vinod Khosla, one of the investors in Praj, shared his appreciation by saying, “On the occasion of Silver Jubilee celebrations of Praj, I am glad to note of the achievement of Praj Matrix to bring about a break-through technology in cellulosic biomass to ethanol. The Pilot Plant indeed is a milestone and will certainly put Praj in the big league of advanced biofuels. I foresee renewable fuels to sustain challenges through innovation, such as these. Pramod and his team have indeed done well.”

“People like Vinod and many other shareholders have given us faith that we are pursuing the right path. We see a promise of greater magnitude and possibilities in this break-through and will continue to lead in renewable, green energy solutions”, said Pramod Chaudhari.

About Praj Industries Limited:

Praj is a global Indian company that offers innovative solutions to significantly add value in bio-ethanol, bio-diesel and brewery plants and related wastewater treatment systems as well as process plant & equipment for customers, worldwide. Praj is a knowledge based company with expertise and experience in Bioprocesses and engineering. It delivers know how, License, engineering design, plant & equipment. Project management, commissioning and customer care and turnkey projects. Led by an accomplished and caring leadership, Praj is a socially responsible corporate citizen. Praj is listed on the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges of India. BioCnergy Europa B.V., The Netherlands, Praj Jaragua Bioenergia S.A., Brazil are JV Companies of Praj, while Praj Schneider, USA is a wholly owned subsidiary.

About Praj Matrix-the innovation centre:

Spread across 5 acres of land near Pune, Praj’s state-of-the-art R & D facilities, Matrix – The Innovation Center spearheads technological research and development. The facility houses 14 laboratories including clean room facilities, and Pilot Plants for cellulosic and conventional ethanol, and biodiesel. It also houses a brewery laboratory as per European Brewing Convention standards. Praj invested in R & D way back in 1989 wherein it concentrated upon employing biotechnology for developing cutting edge processes for ethanol production based on various feed stocks. Praj Matrix employs highly qualified professionals from different technical disciplines including fermentation and microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetic engineering, chemical sciences, algal sciences, analytical chemistry, and process technology and engineering. Praj Matrix has nine patents to its credit and has six patent pending applications. Focused on biotech related R & D, Praj Matrix – The Innovation Center is concurrently working on other industrial biotech programs focused on biochemicals and health and wellness products. 

Now in its third year, the National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) is organizing the Entrepreneurship Week from the 7th to the 14th of February. This year, with over 400 colleges and 4,00,000 students participating, the theme being followed is “Go Green”.

12 colleges from Pune have applied for the Championship this year. During the week, students will aim to focus attention on sustainable development, green business opportunities, and innovative solutions to environmental problems. Students will be mobilized to take part in a wide range of activities and programs – both online and face-to-face. These will include expert panel discussions on alternative forms of energy, competitions to identify and debate on green opportunities, educational movie screenings exhibitions to showcase ideas and ventures of students, and much more!

Bharat Surana, student coordinator of the E-cell of SICSR-Arsh, one of the participating cells, says “We have brought the PMC, PETA and other organizations together to spread the word of a green lifestyle. We are organizing a Cycle Chalo and Save Animals drive among other things during the week.”

Other institutes also part of the celebrations are Indira, ISBM, HNIMR, SCMLD and Sinhagad Institue to name a few. Visit these campuses to see the drive of green entrepreneurship among young students. Go pledge yourself for this effort. We Can, We Will.

[source: http://thetossedsalad.com]