“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 5th June 2004 at Steelennium Hall. Mr A N Singh, the Deputy MD, Tata Steel (CS) addressed the function as the chief guest and Mr RBB Singh, President, Tata Worker’s Union as the guest of honour. The function was well attended by the employees and officers along with VP (SS), VP (ES&P), VP(RM&IM). Office bearer of TWU namely Mr. KNP Singh, Secretary Supervisor and Technician Union and Mr D K Singh, Gl. Secy TWU, Mr Raghunath Pandey, Deputy President TWU with other committee members were also present.

Oceans cover more than three-quarters of the Earth's surface with millions of people on all continents depend on it for their livelihood. It is estimated that 40 % 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 for food.

This vital source of human survival is under threat from made disaster of increased marine pollution. 80 percent of pollution to the marine environment comes from land-based sources, such as runoff pollution.

It is in this context, that Tata Steel on World Environment Day, has given special focus to water conservation and on the quality of the discharged effluent. Tata steel is committed to keep seas and oceans healthy and alive by providing necessary resources and by taking appropriate actions through modernization and maximizing recycling of our waste-water after treatment. Tata Steel has taken ambitious projects of recycling and reuse two of its wastewater and drain water. The company is also recycling and using the treated sewage water into the works from its Town Sewage Treatment Plant. Various departments /units of the works has taken rainwater harvesting and water conservation projects.

While addressing the gathering, Mr. Arun Narayan Singh, briefed 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 tons of discarded plastic products find their way into the oceans, killing hundreds and thousands of marine mammals and ocean-going birds, and untold number of fish. This waste is not only deadly, it is persistent. Animals killed by plastic waste decompose, but the plastic does not. Inserted it remains in the eco-system to kill again and again. Dead zones in our wetland, seas and ocean are emerging as a big threat to 21st century fish stocks.

Mr. R. B. B. Singh, in his turn address emphasized on 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 Worker's Union would help in all possible ways the Steel Company in its efforts to conserve natural ecosystem.

Mr. U.K 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 & Environment in the Steel Company spoke about the role of this committee and how the committee will assist in water conservation and discharged water quality control. He emphasized on the need to do our bit as individual or as corporate to protect our marine water environment by educating our selves on the subject and sharing our knowledge with others. He also stressed on control of all sorts of oil spillage and leakage in the plant and its dumping in to the drains and sinks. He emphasized on reuse and recycling of every material wherever possible. He also advised that we all should see that the chemical fertilizers and pesticides etc used in our garden is not washed away by rain water and mixes with near by water body.

In the Secretary’s Report, Mr. R.P Sharma, Chief, Environment Management & Occupational Health Services & Secretary, Occupational Health and Environment Committee presented the achievements of the Steel Company in occupational health and environment areas.