LEH: Principal Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Climate Change, UT of Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal, chaired the first meeting of the Pollution Control Committee.Detailed discussion on varied issues such as the mandate and duties of the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee, outsourcing scientific and engineering staff, setting up of air, water and noise monitoring stations was held.During the meeting, the Committee proposed that LPCC may seek the assistance of CPCB to prepare a comprehensive proposal for setting up of already sanctioned eight Water Quality Monitoring Stations for UT Ladakh, including preparation of bid documents for establishment, operation and maintenance of the stations.Dr Pawan Kotwal requested the experts of CPCB to extend handholding support to the newly constituted PCC of the UT of Ladakh so that it can discharge its functions effectively as soon as possible.Member Secretary of CPCB, Dr. Prashant Gargava, assured that they will provide all the necessary technical guidance and assistance to the PCC of UT of Ladakh.The Chairman, Ladakh Chamber of Industries, Tashi Gyalson raised the issue of issuance of Consent to Operate (COO) to the Guests Houses and MSMEs.The Committee approved the adoption of consent fee structure which was in force in Ladakh prior to the bifurcation of erstwhile state of J&K into UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh.Earlier, Preet Pal Singh, Chief Conservator of Forest gave a detailed presentation on the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee.The meeting was attended by Saugat Biswas, Administrative Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Dr Phunsok Angchuk Director, Health & Medical Education, UT Ladakh, Regional Officer, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Jammu, Professor Sameer K Sharma, Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu, etc.
