CEOs Conclave on “Sustainable Environmental Practices at Work Places” held in City
Every year in India 1,30,000sq km of forest is chopped or burn down. Which means we loose at least 10 million trees every day.Trees evolved 370 million years ago
One hectare of forest can absorb approximately six tonnes of carbon dioxide a year
One good tree has a potential to absorb the pollution generated by a car running for 25,000kms

Hyderabad|India|December'2010: On the sidelines of a global environment conference on Sustainability: A Business Strategy, a CEOs conclave was held here at Novotel Hotel at Shamshabad Airport on Saturday night. Organized by Greentech Foundation, a not for profit organization, the panelists who will discussed the subject include Mr. Dharampal, IAS, CMD of Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd, New Delhi; Mr. Yazeed Sallam, Director of Health Safety & Environment, Aircarft Maintenance Ltd, Jordan; Mr. S.K. Agarwal, Executive Director, NHPC Ltd; Mr. M.R. Patel, Executive Director, IFFCO Ltd; Dr. J.D. Desai, V.P & Chief of Environment, Reliance Industries Ltd; Dr. R.K. Suri, Director of Ministry of Environment & Forest, New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. R.K.Suri, Director, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India while Chairing the session said humankind in his eagerness to urbanize and industrialize, has not only destroyed plant cover, but also polluted air, water and land so much so that development appears to have become synonymous with deforestation and desertification and progress with environmental degradation. While a developing country like India needs both environment and development. There is a most urgent need to chalk a long term strategy to keep the environment clear and work for ecologically sustained development.

Stating further he added that every year people chop or burn down 130,000 sq.km of forest, which means that we lose at least 10 million trees every day. When forests are destroyed, their carbon is released. In fact, deforestation accounts for over 20 per cent of the carbon dioxide humans generate, revaling the emissions of cars, trucks and planes.

Trees are lungs of our planet. They also offer a range of valuable ecosystem services which mainly constitutes water and soil, genetic resources, absorption of the dust and noise, purification of the air and carbon sequestration. The average value of these supporting services is estimated at 900 US $ per ha per annum. Tress will draw carbon dioxide from the air, leaving us a little less vulnerable to the threats posed by climate change. Depending on the location and size of tress, one hectare of forest can absorb approximately six tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, he said and added that thick vegetation also works as shield to mankind against natural calamities as we have seen the role of Mangroves during Tsunami in coastal areas. During the last few decades thee is a tremendous degradation of tree cover world wide due to industrialization and urbanization. It is therefore in our wider interest to restore, reforest and recapture the lost and degraded forest and woodland ecosystem.

In conclusion he said, we must thank trees for our life. It is estimated that one good tree has a potential to absorb the pollution generated by a car running for 25,000kms. Trees evolved an imponderable 370 million years ago and helped create the very air that we breathe by inhaling carbon dioxide, acting as carbon sinks and exhaling oxygen. If the world is to make a transition to a low carbon society and avoid the environmental, social and economic impacts of unchecked climate change, all sectors of society must be mobilized for Environmental Forestry.

Dr. R.K Suri suggested to name roads with names of the trees like Need Road , Banyan Road etc to bring awareness among the masses about the importance of the trees.

Participating in the discussion Er. Yazeed Sallam, Director of Health, Safety and Environment, Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Ltd, Jordan said building environment culture in the organization is important. It an indication of how companies care for it. Each organization must look at their suppliers, their quality and environmental managements systems before buying their products.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Dharampal, IAS, CMD of Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd, New Delhi said Delhi is one of the greenest capitals cities of the country. We emphasis lot on energy conservation,recycling, usage of renewable energy sources, introduction of green technologies.

The panel discussion was organized as a prelude to the two day global environment conference on Sustainability: A Business Strategy being held at Novotel on December 12th and 13th. During these two days environmental excellence awards will also be presented.

Mr. Kamaleshwar Sharan, President of Greentech Foundation welcomed the panelists and added that about 250 delegates from companies such as ITC Group of Hotels, Emami Ltd, HUL, NTPC, Wipro Ltd, NHPC, Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, Skoda Auto India Pvt Ltd and others were expected to participate in the two day meet on sustainability. Some of the issues that will be addressed during the two day meet include Oil Spill, Green Buildings Sustainability in Work Places, Clean Development Mechanism, Water & Waste Water Treatment Natural Resources Conservation, Recycling & Waste Management, Environment & Occupational Health, Drinking Water Purification & Treatment, he added.

Greentech Foundation is based in New Delhi , India and California , USA .