Executive Summary
2009-10
Punjab
State Council for Science & Technology
functions under the aegis of the Department of Science, Technology
& Environment, Punjab. Its purpose is to promote socio-economic
changes and environmental awareness through the application of
science & technology and to bring science & technology out of the
laboratories and into the life of the common man.
The
focus of Council is on the improvement of the rural environments,
prevention and control of industrial pollution, socio-economic
development, conservation of natural resources and sustainable
development. The Council undertook the following activities during
the year 2009-10:
1.
Pollution Control
The low cost pollution control technologies
on brick kilns, rice shellers, induction furnace, re-rolling mills
and cupola furnace developed and demonstrated by the Council have
been widely accepted. In this direction, the following work was
taken up:
(i)
UNDP-GEF Project on “Energy Efficiency Improvement in Indian Brick
Industry”-
The
Council has been working in the brick sector since 1997 and has
conducted a number of awareness workshops and on-site training
programmes on better feeding, firing and operating practices for
the brick kiln owners & their workforces in the States of Punjab,
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Gujarat. As a result the technology
has been disseminated in more than 3500 brick kilns all over the
country. A UNDP-GEF project on Energy Efficiency Improvement in
Indian Brick Industry was prepared by TERI, Delhi in consultation
with the Council in the year 2006 wherein the Council was
recognized as one of the Local Resource Centres for Punjab and
Haryana States The project has now been approved for a period of
4 years starting from June 2009. The total cost of the project is
USD 2.8 millions. The GEF share is USD 0.80 million. The Ministry
of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India is the implementing
agency.
(ii)
Consultancy Assignment for revision of “Comprehensive Industry
Documents (COINDS) for brick kilns”-
CPCB
had invited technical and financial proposals in October, 2009
for consultancy services for the project on “Revision of COINDS
for brick kilns”. Based on the presentation made by the Council
and in recognition of the expertise available with the Council,
CPCB has awarded the said project amounting to Rs. 43.69 Lacs to
the Council.
(iii) Demonstration of Energy Efficient Cupola Furnace
-
The
Council had successfully commissioned demonstration units of
cupola furnace in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Jharkhand,
Karnataka, Bihar and J& K. Another project was awarded by DST for
setting up of 7 demonstration units (2 in Karnataka and 5 in
Punjab) of energy efficient cupola furnace integrated with air
pollution control device at a cost of Rs. 33.35 lacs.
(iv)
Air Pollution Control and Energy Conservation in
Re-rolling Mills-
Council demonstrated improved technologies for re-rolling mills
under a project sponsored by Petroleum Conservation Research
Association (PCRA), New Delhi. The economic benefit of Rs. 15.00
lacs per annum on account of fuel savings has been achieved by the
demonstration of new reheating furnace alongwith better designs of
recuperator, insulation and burner at M/s Jawala Steel
Corporation, Khanna.
(v)
Setting Off Consultancy Services on CDM Projects-
At the
instance of the Government of Punjab, the Council has taken up the
consultancy services on CDM Projects. The Council has been awarded
maiden project of “1MW Solar Power Plant at Vilalge Phulokheri,
District Bathinda” by Punjab Energy Development Authority.
(vi)
Demonstration of Scientific Evaluation of Water Purification
Systems in the Schools in State of Punjab-
DST,
GOI its programme “Water Technology initiative” (WTI), has
initiated a project to set up safe drinking water plants in
schools to provide good quality drinking water. Under this
project, PSCST tested drinking water samples in 20 schools located
in different districts of Punjab by hiring the services of NABL
accredited labs for collection and analysis of 32 physico-chemical
parameters, 2 biological parameters as per IS-10500-1991 and 30
pesticides from 20 schools. The analysis report revealed that
pesticides contents were not detectable. Coliform presence was
reported in 12 schools where as the fluoride contents of more than
4.5 mg/l were reported in 6 schools.
2.
Conservation of Natural Resources
(i)
Wetlands:
The Council is coordinating the scheme “National
Wetland Conservation Programme” sponsored by Ministry of
Environment & Forests, GOI. Under the scheme conservation
activities for three Ramsar sites (Harike, Kanjli and Ropar
wetlands) and one National wetland (Nangal wetland) are undertaken
through various executing departments which include afforestation
of native tree species for habitat improvement, soil conservation
to prevent siltation, conservation of wildlife and fisheries, weed
control, water quality monitoring and public awareness, etc .
Conservation of another National wetland (Ranjit Sagar), which is
an interstate wetland (H.P., Punjab and J&K) is being taken by
Ranjit Sagar Dam Design Organisation under Deptt. of Irrigation.
(ii) Conservation of Bio-diversity:
The
Council has taken up Biodiversity Conservation programs in the
state. It has notified the Punjab Biodiversity Board (PBB) as a
statutory body to conserve biodiversity in the state. PBB is
facilitating the setting up of Biodiversity Management Committees
(BMCs) at village and town levels and train them for
implementation of the Biological Diversity Act at field level,
record local biological diversity within their respective
village/town, take up initiatives for its conservation, understand
the concept of collection fee for commercial utilization and
prepare Peoples’ Biodiversity Registers (PBRs). Massive awareness
programs have been taken up to sensitize the masses about
biological resources and its conservation.
3. Socio-economic Developement
(i)
Initiatives for Promotion of Biotechnology Sector in Punjab:
The
Council has been making consistent efforts for development of
world-class infrastructure in Punjab in the area of
biotechnology. Towards this end, the National Agri-Food
Biotechnology Institute coordinated by the Council has already
been made operational by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt.
of India in a transit campus set up at Mohali.
The
Council is now facilitating the setting up of Biotechnology Park
to be developed by the State Govt. and DBT-GOI through
Public-Private Partnership in Knowledge City, Mohali
to
promote biotech industry in various application areas of
biotechnology including agriculture , food, pharma, energy etc.
(i)
Organisation of Interactive Meet at NABI.
Council facilitated the organization of an interactive meet with
agri-food industry for identification of key issues required to be
addressed by NABI. The key projects of immediate relevance that
emerged out of this interactive meet included Identification of
crop varieties / quality planting material suitable for
requirements of processing industry (especially that of tomato,
potato, banana, baby corn and guava); Virus indexing in vegetables
and fruits; Cost effective conversion of agri-biomass especial
paddy straw to industrial chemicals & energy and Production of
novel value added products from existing agri raw materials.
(iii) Participation in India international Trade Fair
2009 organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation
The
Council participated in 29th India International Trade Fair 2009
(IITF-2009) held at Pragati Maidan from 14-27 November, 2009. The
theme of this year’s trade fair was “Exports of Services”. Punjab
Small Industries & Export Corporation coordinated State’s
participation in the event. The Council showcased its activities
/ services having potential for export / international
collaborations. These included mega projects of Biotechnology and
Nanotechnology coming up in Knowledge City, Mohali to highlight
Punjab as leading destination for investments in these sectors.
(iv)
Production and Promotion of Neem based Biopesticide as Environment
Friendly Biodegradable Alternative to Chemical Pesticides.
PSCST
with the support of Regional Network for Pesticides for Asia & the
Pacific (RENPAP) of UNIDO and Ministry of Chemicals and
Fertilizers (MOCF), Govt. of India has done pioneering work for
promotion of neem based pesticide as environment friendly,
biodegradable alternative to chemical pesticides in the state
under national level ‘Neem Project’. The highlights of activities
undertaken during the past one year were: Neem fruit
collection and processing, laboratory & field evaluation of neem
biopesticide, multi-location trials and organization of awreness/
sensitization programmes on Neem Biopesticide.
(v)
Biotechnology based Programmes for Women & Rural Development.
PSCST has been making consistent efforts to
promote grass root biotechnological innovations relevant to
socio-economic developmental needs of the rural areas of Punjab.
A number of projects have been undertaken over the years to
empower masses especially rural women & youth. As a further
endeavour in this direction, following programmes / activities
were taken up in financial year 2009-10:
Ø
Promotion of Cultivation & Value Addition through Post Harvest
Processing of Bioresources in Shivalik belt
Ø
Solid
Waste Management through Vermicomposting
Ø
Genetic Literacy Programme
Ø
Women
empowerment through S&T intervention – New initiatives under All
India Coordinated Programmes- Development of Low Cost Sanitary
Napkins using Cotton Knitwear Waste
Ø
Developing community based approach for prevention and management
of anemia through nutritional inputs and awareness among young
women in India
4. Protection of IPRs
In
order to promote awareness about protection of Intellectual
Property Rights of researchers, innovators & entrepreneurs of the
state, a Patent Information Centre is functional since 1999 with
support of TIFAC, DST-GOI. The major objective of the centre is
to provide patent search and filing facilities at the doorstep of
innovators, researchers, R & D establishments and entrepreneurs.
The centre has been upgraded to Category-1 by TIFAC. Only two PICs
out of 21 in the Country are placed in this category. The Centre
has so far organized 33 one day patent awareness workshops & 45
faculty training camps for ITIs & Polytechnics. The Centre has
also conducted more than 180 patent searches and filed 26 patents
applications (out of which 8 have been granted). PIC has set up 5
IPR cells and 12 IPR clubs in various university and engineering
colleges of the state. Further, Intellectual Property Facilitation
Centre for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of Punjab has been
also set up in PIC, PSCST. The following activities were taken up
during 2009-2010:
Ø
Participation in 12th All India PIC Interactive Meet
Ø
Organization of IPR Awareness Programme at Patiala,
Amritsar, Ludhiana & Chandigarh
Ø
2 Patent awareness workshops & 6 IPR awreness camps
for ITI faculty
Ø
World Intellectual Property Day Celebrations, 2009
Ø
Women scientist training
Ø
Filing of 2 patents, 1 copyright application & 28
patent searches
Ø
Exhibition stall on IPRs at CHASCON-2010 in 4th CSC
at Chandigarh
5. Scientific Temper:
Council has taken up programs for developing scientific attitude
and caacity building in a big way through organization of
short-term workshops, long term programs and publication of
literature for students, teachers, voluntary organizations and
general public. Some of the activities undertaken to popularize
science and create environment awareness are as follows:
(i)
Celebration of National Science Day involving 29
organizations
(ii)
Celebration of National Technology Day involving 39
organizations
(iii)
Organization of Children’s Science Congress in Punjab at
district and state levels involving more than 350 schools
(iv)
Organization of Science Essay Writing Competition at
district and state levels.
(v) Organization of North Regional Workshop on improving the
quality of NCSC projects at PAU, Ludhiana for the states of J&K,
U.P., Uttrakhand, Delhi, H.P., Haryana, Punjab and UT Chandigarh
(vi)
Four District level workshops on ‘Disaster Preparedness’ at
Patiala, Bathinda, Kharar and Ropar involving more than 250 NSS
students & teachers affiliated to Punjabi University, Patiala
(vii)
Uploading and maintenance of PSCST Website and Website on
Planet Earth
(viii)
Northern Zone Master Resource Persons training Programme on
‘Total Solar Eclipse-2009’ at GNDU, Amritsar
(ix)
Incentives to 54 Young Scientists of Punjab for travel and
short term student projects
(x)
Initiation of project ‘Root & Shoot’ in Mansa, Bathinda and
Faridkot districts involving 60 schools
(xi)
12th Motivational Contact Programs for Talented
School Students at Punjabi University, Patiala
(xii)
Eco-Water Leteracy Campaign
and Science for Sanitation Month Programme- Council
undertook several activities such as district level workshops with
KVKs, development of resource material with PAU, preparation of
film on water conservation,, lecture-cum-demonstrations,
exhibitions, bio-solid waste management programme and vaad vivad
sesiions on low cost sanitation and hygiene.
(xiii)
Facilitated sanction of project ‘Metabolic genotypes as
modulators of DNA and chromosomal damage in persons engaged in
quarrying/stone crushing’ to GNDU, amounting to Rs. 18.77 lacs
for three years
(xiv)
Regular publications- Nirantar Soach (monthly) and
Future Frontiers (quarterly)
6.
Outreach Programmes
Punjab
State Council for Science & Technology has been actively taking up
public awareness programme on environmental issues. It has also
been working as nodal agency for implementation of NGC Programme
and National Environment Awareness Programme in the State which
are focused for creating environmental awareness amongst the
masses. Council is also coordinating activities for celebration of
various environment related days like Earth Day, International
Biological Diversity Day, World Environment Day and International
Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer in the State by involving
schools, other educational institutions and NGOs. The following
outreach programmes were organized during 2009-10:
o
Celebration of important environment related days
o
Implementation of National Green Corps Programme
o
Implementation of National Environment Awareness Campaign 2009-10
o
Green
School Programme 2009 in Punjab
(i) ENVIS Centre on ‘State Environment Issues’
The
ENVIS centre set up in the Council is maintaining a bilingual
website on State Environment Issues (www.punenivs.nic.in/
www.punenvironment.com) which provides information on status,
various programs and projects related to environment in the state
for use by general public. The website has a dynamic query
response system. During the year 2009-10, the ENVIS centre
uploaded information on environmental and physico-geographical
issues, brought out publications and organized capacity building
workshops.
(ii)
Biotechnology Awareness Programmes
In order to ensure effective percolation of the
benefits of biotechnology, the Council continues to take up
outreach programmes for varied target groups. The programmes
organized in 2009-10 included: Popular Biotechnology Lecture
Series, Training & Awareness Programmes on Neem Biopesticide and
workshop on ‘Solid Waste management through Vermicomposting’.
7.
Publications:
Regular publications of PSCST- ‘Nirantar Soach’’,
‘Future Frontiers’ and ENVIS Newsletter and were brought out.
Other publications and resource material brought out during the
year was:
Ø
Book
of summaries containing the projects presented at State Level
Children’s Science Congress-2009
Ø
Revised publication of ‘Our Tree’- activity book under project
‘Root & Shoot’
Ø
Project completion report titled ‘Motivational Programmes & Impact
Assessment for Talented School Students of Punjab’
Ø
Report
of Northern Region Orientation Workshop for the State/ District
Academic Coordinators & Evaluators for Improving Overall Quality
of NCSC
Ø
Four
issues of the ENVIS Newsletter published with following lead
topics:
·
Vol. 7, No. 1 & 2 on ‘ Protected Areas’
·
Vol. 7, No. 3 on ‘Wetlands of Punjab’.
·
Vol.7, no. 4 on ‘Soils of Punjab’
Ø
The ENVIS Centre published five Posters on:
·
Punjab ENVIS Centre Activities
·
Protected Areas
·
Wetlands of Punjab
·
National & State Symbols
·
Observing Clouds
v
The ENVIS Centre also prepared a folder on ‘ Punjab ENVIS Centre
Activities’
v
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Biotechnology in Punjabi
v
Compendium of ‘Technological Options for Women Empowerment & Rural
Development’
v
Booklet titled ‘Biotechnological Interventions in Food Production,
Processing & Safety’
8. Awards:
o
During the year,
‘GR8! Women Award 2010 in Science & Technology’, was awarded to
Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Additional Director (BT), by the Indian
Television Academy for her achievements in S&T.
o
The
Society for Promotion of Plant Science Research conferred
‘Distinction Award’ on Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Additional
Director (BT) for her academic distinctions and significant
contributions in Life Sciences / Biotechnology.
