Wanted! Seas and oceans dead or alive? With this theme being suggested by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Occupational Health and Environment Committee of Tata Steel observed World Environment Day today on June 5, 2004 at Steelennium Hall. Mr AN Singh, deputy MD, Tata Steel (CS) addressed the function as the chief guest and Mr RBB Singh, president, Tata Workers Union (TWU) as the guest of honour. The function was attended by the employees and officers along with VP (SS), VP (ES&P), VP (RM and IM). Office bearers of TWU, namely Mr KNP Singh, secretary, supervisor and technician union, and Mr DK Singh, general secretary, TWU, Mr Raghunath Pandey, deputy president, TWU, were also present with other committee members.

Oceans cover more than three-quarters of the earth's surface. Millions of people on all continents depend on it for their livelihood. It is estimated that 40 per cent of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand actively exploit beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits. It is a great source of fish.

This vital source of human survival is under threat from the man-made disaster of increased marine pollution. Eighty per cent of the pollution of the marine environment comes from land-based sources, such as runoff pollution.

It is in this context that Tata Steel has given special focus to water conservation and the quality of discharged effluents on World Environment Day. Tata Steel is committed to keeping seas and oceans healthy and alive by providing the necessary resources, and by taking appropriate action through modernisation and maximising the recycling of wastewater after treatment. Tata Steel has undertaken ambitious projects for the recycling and reuse of its wastewater and drain water. The company is also recycling and using the treated sewage water in its works from the Town Sewage Treatment Plant. Various departments / units of the works have undertaken rainwater harvesting and water conservation projects.

While addressing the gathering, Mr Arun Narayan Singh spoke about marine pollution. The rivers that run into the sea carry silt, untreated sewage, industrial waste and the assorted rubbish of consumers from far inland. Each year tonnes of discarded plastic products find their way into the oceans, killing hundreds and thousands of marine mammals, ocean-going birds and an untold number of fish. This waste is not only deadly, it is persistent. Animals killed by plastic waste decompose, but the plastic does not. Once inserted it remains in the eco-system to kill again and again. Dead zones in our wetlands, seas and oceans are emerging as a big threat to 21st century fish stocks.

Mr RBB Singh emphasised the importance of environment conservation and sustainable development in the present scenario. He also appreciated the different water conservation activities undertaken by Tata Steel to keep the rivers of Jamshedpur free from pollution. He also assured that the Tata Workers Union would help the steel company, in all possible ways, in its efforts to conserve the natural ecosystem.

Mr UK Chaturvedi, vice president (long products) and chairman, occupational health and environment committee, a joint body of union and management that overseas the status of health and environment in the steel company spoke about the role of this committee and how the committee would assist in water conservation and discharged water quality control. He emphasised the need to do our bit as individuals or as corporates to protect our marine water environment by educating ourselves on the subject and sharing our knowledge with others. He also stressed on the control of all sorts of oil spillage and leakage in the plant and its dumping in drains and sinks. He emphasised reuse and recycling of every material wherever possible. He also advised that care should be taken to see that the chemical fertilisers and pesticides etc used in gardens are not washed away by rain water which mixes with near by water bodies.

In the secretary's report, Mr RP Sharma, chief, environment management and occupational health services, and secretary, occupational health and environment committee, presented the achievements of the company in the occupational health and environment area.