Chairman, M/s. Envirotech Instruments Pvt Ltd, Delhi

S K Gupta is known as a person of air quality monitoring and management in India due to his pioneering contribution to develop India’s own instruments for monitoring air pollution and air quality in early 80’s. He had also initiated unique “Hands on Training” programmes in India to develop competent manpower. He has encouraged and supported Indian research and academic institutions to develop appropriate technologies to monitor and control pollution. Recently “Envirotech GD Agrawal” award was instituted by him at IIT Kanpur for most innovative research in the field of Environmental Engineering. He has inculcated entrepreneurship in many and provided employment to hundreds in this field. He has brought together over 600 Environmental professionals under one umbrella of Indian. Association for Air Pollution Control (Delhi Chapter) and was its founder secretary for 20 years. He is also the founder and mission advisor of Global council of environment and health Inc, working to ensure clear air and climate for every global citizen to save their lives. He has deep interest in improving and protecting the air quality and strong belief in traditional wisdom and values in life. Due to his contributions in the field of Air quality, he has been nominated to the commission on air Quality management in NCR and adjoining areas by Govt of India. He has also been nominated to the committee set up by BIS, on standardisation of Environmental Services. He is a civil engineer from IIT Kanpur and presently the Chairmen of Envirotech Instruments Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, largest producer of indigenous instruments for monitoring Air pollution and air quality in India and currently the leader in Indian market.

Environmental Management Centre Pvt. Ltd. Director, Ekonnect Knowledge Foundation

Prasad Modak holds B Tech (Civil Engg), M Tech (Environmental Science and Engg) from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Doctor of Engg (Environmental Engg) from Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Dr Modak was a Professor at Centre for Environmental Science & Engineering at IIT Bombay (1984-1994) and later as Professor (Adjunct) at the Centre for Technology Alternatives in Rural Areas (CTARA) (2009-2017). He is currently the Executive President of Environmental Management Centre Pvt Ltd and Director of Ekonnect Knowledge Foundation. Dr Modak has worked with Government of India, State Governments and with almost all key UN, multi-lateral and bi-lateral developmental institutions in the World. His career over past four decades has covered most frontier areas in environmental management and sustainability. Specific to air quality management, Dr Modak has published and worked extensively in areas such as air dispersion modelling, design of air quality monitoring networks, air pollution control, indoor air quality, air quality data analytics and preparation of air quality action plans.

Managing Director, Environmental Management Centre Pvt. Ltd. Director, Ekonnect Knowledge Foundation

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Prasad Modak holds B Tech (Civil Engg), M Tech (Environmental Science and Engg) from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Doctor of Engg (Environmental Engg) from Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Dr Modak was a Professor at Centre for Environmental Science & Engineering at IIT Bombay (1984-1994) and later as Professor (Adjunct) at the Centre for Technology Alternatives in Rural Areas (CTARA) (2009-2017). He is currently the Executive President of Environmental Management Centre Pvt Ltd and Director of Ekonnect Knowledge Foundation. Dr Modak has worked with Government of India, State Governments and with almost all key UN, multi-lateral and bi-lateral developmental institutions in the World. His career over past four decades has covered most frontier areas in environmental management and sustainability. Specific to air quality management, Dr Modak has published and worked extensively in areas such as air dispersion modelling, design of air quality monitoring networks, air pollution control, indoor air quality, air quality data analytics and preparation of air quality action plans.

ABSTRACT

In today’s world which is quickly urbanizing, deteriorating air quality has emerged as an important concern for cities. Clean Air Zones (CAZs) have become an essential strategy for addressing this problem and providing a successful method of managing air quality. A Clean Air Zone defines an area where targeted action is taken to improve air quality and resources are prioritized and coordinated in order to shape the urban environment in a way that delivers improved health benefits and supports economic growth. Cities have designated Clean Air Zones where strict air pollution control measures are put into place, especially focusing on vehicle emissions. These actions could include limiting the use of high-emission vehicles, creating low-emission zones, implementing congestion pricing plans, and providing incentives for using more environmentally friendly modes of transportation. By discouraging high-emission vehicles from entering these zones, Clean Air Zones (CAZs) reduce harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, which has an immediate positive impact on the health of city dwellers, particularly those who are susceptible to respiratory conditions. The success of clean air zones depends upon several factors such as the geographic scope, the rigour of regulations, public engagement, and the availability of sustainable transport options. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dr. Mukesh Khare is a Professor Emeritus of Environmental Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Delhi. He is the Fellow of Institution of Engineers India and Fellow of Wessex Institute of Great Britain. He is a Chartered Engineer. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in the Faculty of Engineering from Newcastle University, UK and has managed a range of Environmental projects throughout his professional career. With a specialization in air quality modelling, Prof. Khare’s experience has covered research and development studies, teaching, consulting, modelling, and editorial activities. In addition, Prof. Khare has authored more than 200 research publications, primarily for peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. Besides this, Prof. Khare has authored more than 5 books and contributed several chapters for various publishing houses in urban air quality monitoring, modelling and management. Prof. Khare has been serving as a member in High Level Task Force (HLTF) at Prime Minister Office. Prof. Khare has also been working as Member, Environmental Appraisal Committees (Infrastructure-I and Non-Coal Mining), Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change, Government of India. Prof. Khare has also been in various Public Sector Undertakings as Director in their respective Boards of Director. 

ABSTRACT

Air pollution is a major and growing risk factor for ill health in India and many other countries. It is a major cause of premature death and disease, also, it is the largest environmental health threat globally.

In addition to health impact, Air pollution also causes economic impact in the region. Although the government has issued a series of clean air
policies it has been observed that enforcement is a major barrier. This address will focus on the important role of enforcing existing air
pollution policies in achieving air quality and hence minimizing health risks.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Prof. Gopal Pathak graduated in Civil Engineering from BIT Mesra in 1977. In 1980, he joined the Department of Civil Engineering, BIT Mesra
as a faculty member. Further, he did his Masters in Civil Engineering and also completed Ph.D. in Air pollution from the same institute and rose to the position of Professor in the year 2000. Apart from the experience in Academic field, he also assumed many administrative positions as
HOD-Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dean-Student Welfare, Dean-Faculty Development, Dean_x0002_-Administration and
Campus Development, etc. He has also served the institute as Acting Vice-Chancellor.

Prof. Pathak has published and presented many technical papers in various National and International Journals and conference proceedings in places like China, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Australia, Iran, South Africa, USA and others during his professional career. He has also been visiting Professor and Scholar in many foreign universities of great repute. To name a few – University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (1997) University of Ningbo, China (2006), Princeton University, USA (2009) International Institute Of Water and Environmental Engineering, Burkina Faso, Western Africa (2009) Stanford University, California (2011) He worked as Vice-Chancellor of Jharkhand University of Technology, Ranchi from 15 June 2017 to 14 Dec., 2020. And from 15th Dec., 2020 he has been leading Sarala Birla University as Vice Chancellor.

ABSTRACT

Southeast Asia (SEA) countries was determined as one polluted area in the world. WHO indicated that more than 2 million deaths from air pollution exposure per annum. It was the most vulnerable zone to the adverse impact of air pollution. SEA countries has constantly faced air pollution causing the severe effects not only human health but also on its economy and ecosystem. The strategies were performed independently by each country to reduce exposure to ambient PM_2.5, The implementation plans were continually operated for air pollution reductions based on stricter regulatory limits for PM_2.5 and other air pollutants, they would help prolong life, and delay, or prevent, the onset of air pollution related diseases. The air pollution episodes can be happened by various sources including the transboundary effects. The integrating of multidisciplinary and partnership should be taken to solve the problem. The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Countries Network) would play roles to minimize the critical problem of air pollution in this region.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Currently, Kraichat Tantrakarnapa is working at Faculty of Tropical Medicine, MAHIDOL University, Thailand.

Kraichat has experienced for 25 years in many natural resources and environmental areas in Thailand and neighboring countries. He has participated as a consulting unit for many organizations, both local and international agencies. The experienced works are Environmental Health, Environmental Impact Assessment., Computer application for Environmental Management, Environmental Health Impact Assessment, Climate change and health impact, Environmental Management System, Occupational Health and Safety Management System and Environmental Planning.

Education

– B.S.(Statistics) Chiangmai University, Thailand

– M.Sc. (Technology of Environmental Management), Mahidol University, Thailand

– Ph.D. (Environmental Engineering), Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand

– Post graduate in Occupational Health and Safety in the Workplaces, ITC-ILO and University of Torino, Italy

ABSTRACT

There is increasing scientific consensus that climate change is the underlying cause of the prolonged heatwaves that have increased the risk of extreme wildfires in Australia, North America, Southern Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Amazon. With prolonged droughts and record-breaking temperatures, extreme wildfire events are likely to become more frequent and intense in the future, releasing large quantities of smoke and negatively affecting air quality and global health. Additionally, agricultural fires are causing seasonal smog in India, Southeast Asia and other regions, further deteriorating outdoor air quality. Another major source of indoor and outdoor air pollution in many communities in India and globally is the domestic use of biomass for cooking and heating. In Australia, wood heaters is a dominant source of particulate air pollution (PM2.5) causing a disproportional burden on health, the environment and the economy. A wide range of interventions have been proposed for reducing population exposure to biomass smoke emitted from different sources, including air filtration, structural and occupancy changes in the built environment, facemasks, air pollution alerts, and behavioural adaptation measures. This presentation explores the sources, exposure levels and health impacts of biomass smoke in a variety of settings, as well as interventions aiming to protect public health from biomass smoke.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Sotiris Vardoulakis is Professor of Global Environmental Health at the Australian National University (ANU), Director of the HEAL (Healthy Environments And Lives) National Research Network, and Adjunct Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. He is co-Director of the Clean Air and Planetary Health in Asia (CEPHA) Network, the Clean Energy for Healthy Environments And Lives (CE4HEAL) partnership and the International Consortium for Urban Environmental Health and Sustainability (Healthy-Polis). Previously he was Director of Research and Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Occupational Health at the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh, and before that Head of the Environmental Change Department at Public Health England. He also held academic positions at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Birmingham. Professor Vardoulakis’ main research interests include climate change, air pollution and health, sustainable cities, exposure assessment, health impact assessment, environmental epidemiology, and public health communication and policy. He was one of the lead authors of the first UK Climate Change Risk Assessment and contributor to the National Adaptation Programme. He served as a member of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, UK) Public Health Advisory Committee on Air Pollution and of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Working Group on Indoor Air Quality. He is a currently a Coordinating Lead Author of the UNEP Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-7) Air Chapter.

ABSTRACT

A variety of sources of pollutant emissions can be modeled as area sources.  These include manure lagoons, landfills, wastewater treatment ponds, and highways.  A group of point sources can also be treated as an area source. Thus, the area source model is an important component of a comprehensive air pollution model.  The literature describes several approaches to modelling dispersion from area sources, but there is little consensus on an approach that can be applied to arbitrary shaped area sources, and is numerically efficient.  This paper brings together ideas from previous work to propose an approach that meets these requirements. Although AERMOD and the OML model incorporate this approach, an adequate description is lacking.  This paper fills this important gap, and also provides examples of its application to 1) different shaped area sources and 2) inverse modelling to estimate methane emissions from manure lagoons located in an dairy. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dr. Akula Venkatram is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Riverside, California, USA.  His research is focused on the development and the application of models for the transport and dispersion of air pollutants over urban and regional scales.  Dr. Venkatram co-edited and contributed to the “Lectures on Air Pollution Modeling” published by the American Meteorological Society.  He was member of the team that developed AERMOD, and was a principal contributor to RLINE, the USEPA model for line sources. He is the recipient of the inaugural award from the AMS Committee on Meteorological Aspects of Air Pollution for “contributions to the field of air pollution meteorology through the development of simple models in acid deposition, ozone photochemistry and urban dispersion”. His research on modeling the air quality impact of transport related emissions was recognized in 2010 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, through a Scientific and Technological Achievement Award for “expanding and improving the scientific and regulatory communities’ ability to assess the impacts of mobile source emissions”. His research on this topic is summarized in the monograph “Urban Transportation and Air Pollution” https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Transportation-Pollution

ABSTRACT

Most of the cities in India are highly polluted today. To respond to this challenge, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
launched National Clean Air Action Plan (NCAP) in January, 2019. The objective of NCAP was to improve air quality in 131 cities (non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities) in 24 States/UTs by engaging all stakeholders. The programme envisages to achieve reductions up to 40% or achievement of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter (PM10) concentrations by 2025-26.

To date, we haven’t seen much traction on the implementation of the Clean Air Quality Action Plans. Cities continue to be under the grey skies,
people wear masks when outdoors, schools are shut during emergencies and advisories are issued to avoid morning walks. Some cities have
installed machines to suck polluted air, closed construction activity, deployed wetting of roads and even attempted artificial rains to scrub the
dusty atmosphere with no major improvement in air quality. How can we make air quality action plans work? This presentation will make an
attempt to suggest possible solutions.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Prasad Modak holds B Tech (Civil Engg), M Tech (Environmental Science and Engg) from Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Doctor
of Engg (Environmental Engg) from Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok.

Dr Modak was a Professor at Centre for Environmental Science & Engineering at IIT Bombay (1984-1994) and later as Professor (Adjunct) at the Centre for Technology Alternatives in Rural Areas (CTARA) (2009-2017). He is currently the Executive President of Environmental Management Centre Pvt Ltd and Director of Ekonnect Knowledge Foundation.

Dr Modak has worked with Government of India, State Governments and with almost all key UN, multi-lateral and bi-lateral developmental
institutions in the World. His career over past four decades has covered most frontier areas in environmental management and sustainability.
Specific to air quality management, Dr Modak has published and worked extensively in areas such as air dispersion modelling, design of air
quality monitoring networks, air pollution control, indoor air quality, air quality data analytics and preparation of air quality action plans.