Mangaluru : World Pollution Prevention Week is around the globe on December 2. This day is created to instill awareness on environmental pollution and its negative impacts on our health and the planet. International organizations such as the United Nations (U.N.), the World Health Organization (WHO), Greenpeace, and others have been urging countries all over the globe to take precautionary measures to control pollution.

In view of this Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways directed all Major Ports & subordinate bodies to conduct the Observance of World Pollution Prevention Week from 2nd December. In this regard, New Mangalore Port Authority under the leadership of Dr. A. V. Ramana, Chairman, NMPA, observed “World Pollution Prevention Week” from 2nd December to 8th December 2022. Various activities were planned out executed & followed during the week for creating awareness among, employees, stakeholders, students & general public.

New Mangalore Port, as its policy & objective has been consistently striving to protect the Environment and has undertaken various “GREEN” initiatives for sustainable future such as;

a) Constructed Sewage Treatment Plant with 1.2 MLD capacities inside the Port area.

b) Constructed rain water Harvesting Ponds and Ground water Recharge ponds inside the Port area, in the lower catchment areas covering 64,217 Sq. Mtrs. with a capacity of 1,10,340 CUM of water.

c) 5.2 MW ground mounted & roof top solar power Plant grid contributing towards Carbon foot print reduction to about 30,190 tonnes reported till March 2022. NMPA is now a 100% solar powered Port. As on 29th November 2022a total of 38.45 million units of power was generated, reducing 32,683 tonnes of carbon foot print & saving a sum of Rs. 26 crores to the Port.

d) To comply with integrated Management system Policy on reduction of green house gases port introduced 02 Nos. Electric Buses.

e) Provides 3- Phase Shore supply for 4 nos. of Indian Coast Guard Vessels and 4nos.of Port hired tugs at respective berths. This will reduce carbon emission and contribute towards GHG’s reduction.

f) Mechanized handling of Coal Cargo & Iron Ore Pellets through conveyor system to ensure zero spillage of cargo on roads.

g) Constructed several Coal settling tanks inside the wharf and also outside the wharf area where remnants of cargo are prevented to flow into the sea.

h) All the coal yards are provided with garland drains for collecting the overflow water coming out of yards due to coal dampening and/or dust suppression system sprinklers, rain water etc.

i) All most all the concrete roads & coal yards inside the Port have been installed with mechanized water sprinklers ensuring minimal dust pollution in cargo operational areas.

j) New Mangalore Port Authority installed 2 tonnes capacity Solid waste management unit through vermi-composting & with shredder. This vermi-composting unit produces 36 Tonnes organic manure annually, which will be used as manure.

Due to above initiatives & contribution for conserving the environment, Port has received enumerable awards such as;

1. Swachha Survekshan Award from Ministry of Shipping for 2 years consecutively

2. Greentech Award in gold category in port sector for the last 6 consecutive years

3. Samudra Paryavaran Award from Indian Coast Guard

4. Aranyamithra Award from Karnataka Forest Department

NMPA continually improves its environmental performance by prevention of adverse environmental impacts in all its operations. NMPA prevents and controls pollution to maintain eco-friendly environment and imparts environmental awareness amongst all interested parties, so as to reduce and manage wastes in an environmentally responsible manner.

This Pollution prevention week celebration is just as important on an individual level, while the actions of one person may seem insignificant, the collective action of millions of individuals is monumental, which will be contributing to minimize our environmental Pollution.

NMPA celebrated this special week by celebrating Ports sustainability achievements, conducting various Pollution Prevention activities as awareness program and a quiz competition for college students, Pollution prevention and Mitigation measures training to Port employees and distribution of three color coded Dust bins to all colony residents in Port to motivate segregation of waste as wet waste, dry waste and sanitary waste for proper disposal.