Establishing ECAC in West Bengal
ECO-Asia: Lessons-Learnt Workshop in India
Replicating Innovation through Regional Networks
Claridges Hotel
New Delhi, India
May 24, 2012
Barna Majumdar
Environmental Engineer (Planning)
West Bengal Pollution Control Board
Department of Environment, Govt. of West Bengal
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Presentation Outline
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Brief introduction of ECAC
Lessons learnt for ECAC establishment &
replication from other countries
Outcomes, benefits, successes and
challenges in the implementation of ECACs
Plans and next steps: the ECAC Model – and
vision
ECAC Background
Problems of Compliance
 Non-availability of reliable information on appropriate
pollution control technology and dependable
vendors for installing the same
 Regulatory agencies cannot function as technology
provider providing consultancy service
 Absence of properly accredited agencies capable of
supporting industries in their endeavor to comply
environmental norms
 Fear psychosis amongst the
approach regulatory agencies
entrepreneurs
to
The ECAC Rationale :
An Independent & Reliable
Environment Compliance Assistance Centre
is the Perfect Answer to
Reciprocate the regulatory agencies’ effort
towards
Improved Environmental Compliance
And
Enhanced Environmental Consciousness
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DoE & WBPCB set up an ECAC in the state – this Centre is the 1st of
its kind in India with active support of AECEN and in collaboration with
international development agencies (World Bank, USEPA, USAID,
OECD, ADB)
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Steering Committee constituted in May 2008 for framing policy
guidelines and for coordinating with AECEN, World Bank and other
interested parties.
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Strategic Partners (viz. IIPC, IISWBM, ICC, BCCI, FOSMI etc.) were
identified
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WBPCB received Small Grant through ECO – Asia and committed a
matching amount as seed money towards initial ECAC expenses
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A 3 member Expert Technical Committee was constituted
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Two full-time personnel were employed
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Several stakeholder consultations, brainstorming sessions ….
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ECAC : Purpose
The primary purpose of ECAC is to assist industry in –
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accessing information on environmental compliance,
clean production policies, programs and practices
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selecting appropriate clean technologies after
evaluating a range of available options that meet the
local needs
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introducing clean technologies demonstrating cost
effectiveness and environmental benefits
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Target Sectors & Criteria for Selection
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Primary sectors identified on the basis of current industrial development
trend in the state as well as pollution potential of the sectors – Phase I Sponge Iron Industry
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Phase II 4 sectors with focus on SMEs since SMEs face problems in
accessing appropriate technology, technical assistance & funding :
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Tannery and Chrome Chemicals Manufacturing
Lead Acid Storage Battery Manufacturing, Secondary Lead Smelting and
Processing,
Downstream Petrochemical and Chemical Industries including Plastic
Processing and
Dyeing, Bleaching & integrated textile processing Sector
The ECAC 2nd phase focuses on Replication / Expansion & Scale up
ECAC Success Stories : 1st Phase
Considering the response of the Durgapur Workshop a few tentative
areas were identified for exploration by ECAC :
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Replacement of injection coal by CBM in conventional coal based DRI process
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Replacement of oil and wood by CBM in conventional coal based DRI process during initial
start up
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Feasibility of CBM based DRI process - technology options and environmental compliance
A Website for the ECAC was designed with
focus on the Sponge Iron sector after obtaining
feedback from technical experts, stakeholders,
strategic partners, members of US & Philippines
CACs. The website was inaugurated by Hon’ble
MIC on Sep 16 2009.
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ECAC : Success Story - 2nd Phase
Consultation workshop on Tannery and Chrome Chemicals Manufacturing
Sectors held on May 18, 2010 involving CLRI, Chennai, Govt. College of
Engg. & Leather Technology, Kolkata, CLCTA & BCCMA. Two officials of
WBPCB visited CLRI, Chennai & tanneries in Tamil Nadu for undertaking
a best practices identification study.
Consultation workshop on Lead Acid Storage Battery Manufacturing,
Secondary Lead Smelting and Processing sectors held on June 29, 2010
involving ILZDA, NML, Exide Industries, Indian Small Scale Storage
Battery Components Manufacturing Association, FOSMI, WBSIDC etc.
Consultation workshop on Dyeing, Bleaching and Integrated Textile
Processing Sector held on August 13, 2010 involving eminent speakers
from ATIRA, AIIH&PH, Jayashree Textiles and other industries, West
Bengal Dyeing & Bleaching Associations.
Consultation workshop on Chemical and Petrochemical Sector held on Oct
6, 2010 at Haldia – a major industrial hub of the state involving eminent
speakers from premier institutes of the country like Jadavpur
University, IIT Kharagpur, Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. Plastic Federation
of India etc.
ECAC Achievements :
The 1st newsletter of ECAC Environet was published on Apr 6 2010
by Hon’ble MIC
The 1st flier of ECAC was inaugurated by the Hon’ble MIC on the
Aug 13 2010 for wide dissemination amongst all stakeholders
The 2nd newsletter of ECAC Environet was published on Mar 29
2011
Sector studies were initiated in 3 areas and success story reports
were published on Mar 29 2011
An Evaluation Survey was conducted at the end of 2nd phase to
assess the performance of ECAC and gaps in its development.
(a) Training in specific areas (in environmental auditing, EIA, sourcing finance etc.), (b)
ECAC to develop a structured mechanism for feedback, (c) strengthening information
base of ECAC, (d) present infrastructure of ECAC – space, resources, manpower etc.
ECAC : Vision . . . Future ECAC Model
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Strengthen operation and activities of ECAC to help the industries (Increasing
staff strength, area and scope of work & networking with other institutions to catalyze
assistance to industry with funding from other sources (Eg.- CBIPM project)
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Progressively reduced WBPCB role and support (managerial as also funding)
leading to independent ECAC
Provide customized solutions to industries for abatement of pollution with
the help of technical experts
Pricing for customised services (based on business plan to be developed) and
sustainability
Undertake studies / projects for green technologies in selected sectors
Undertake studies / projects for the SMEs and assist the SMEs for achieving
compliance
Establish national and international
implementing “Best Available Practices”
linkages
for
documenting
&
Network with other ECACs for new/innovative approaches and solutions
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ECAC : under the CBIPM Project
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WBPCB is in the process of selection of consultants for executing various components of
ECAC activities.
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For preparation of the detailed business strategy and plan of ECAC, technical proposals have
been received from consultants and an evaluation report sent to the World Bank.
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A Technology Fair was organized by the ECAC in association with the Indian Chamber of
Commerce on Mar 2 & 3 2012. The objective of the fair was to address the current issues
related to industrial pollution and its management. The event provided a platform for the
participants from different stakeholder groups to share and gather valuable knowledge and
experience on clean and green technologies and best practices. More than 200 delegates from 5
different sectors visited the fair over two days.
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Tannery and chrome chemical sector study - technical evaluation report of the proposals
received from bidders has been sent to the World Bank.
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Lead acid battery sector study - draft ToR for hiring of consultant sent to the World Bank
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Sponge iron sector study - the Board is in the process of selection of consultants.
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Several other SME sectors have been identified for undertaking studies as a part of the ECAC
initiative.
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Environment Compliance Assistance Centre
Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091
Website : www.ecacwb.org
Email : contact@ecacwb.org
Phone : (033) 2321-4759
: Contact :
Barna Majumdar
Environmental Engineer (Planning)
West Bengal Pollution Control Board
Dept. of Environment, Govt. of West Bengal
Paribesh Bhawan 10A, Block LA, Sector III,
Salt Lake , Kolkata 700 098
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