On the occasion of World Environment Day 2023, a seminar on Green Built Environment was organised on Friday by the Indian Green Building Council in association with CREDAI Bengal and the Rotary Club of Calcutta Inner City. Several builders, environmentalists, architects and policymakers had participated to create awareness about green buildings.
Sushil Mohta, chairman, IGBC Kolkata; Debashis Sen, IAS (retd) managing director, West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd; members of Rotary Clubs, Sukanya Dasgupta and Ravindra Sehgal, Apurva Salarpuria, vice-president, CREDAI Bengal; and Vivek Singh Rathore, co-chairman, IGBC Kolkata, were among others who graced the occasion.
Mohta in his opening remarks highlighted the importance of green buildings. “With lesser consumption of energy and fossil fuel, more water conservation and environment friendly planning, India will soon become the second country in the world in terms of the largest registered green buildings footprint,” he said.
Aroop Biswas, minister in-charge of power, housing, youth services and sports, could not attend the seminar but had sent across his speech. In his message, he mentioned government support and subsidies for green properties.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Debashis Sen, talked about various initiatives of HIDCO that encouraged green building construction. “I would point out the importance of cycling and electric vehicles in creating a less-polluted city. Even though a number of initiatives have been taken by us to popularise cycling and EV charging stations, I believe the gated community and common people should come forward to help,” Sen said.
Vivek Singh Rathore, concluded the session with his message of the 3Ps – Promote, Process and Protect to save the environment.
