environment

No Severe Ozone Depletion in the Tropics

No Severe Ozone Depletion in the Tropics

A ground-breaking study led by Prof. Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath from the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-Kharagpur), in collaboration with international researchers, has refuted previous claims of a severe ozone hole in the tropical stratosphere. The study provides reassurance that there is no significant ozone depletion in the tropics and no associated health threat. The recent study entitled “No Severe Ozone Depletion in the Tropical Stratosphere in Recent Decades," challenges earlier assertions of a year-round massive ozone hole in the tropics. The previous research suggested that such an ozone hole…
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Sustainable Alternatives in Energy, Environment & Healthcare for Science & Society

Sustainable Alternatives in Energy, Environment & Healthcare for Science & Society

INDO-US, INDO-AUSTRALIA AND INDO-CANADA INTERDISCIPLINARY WORKSHOPS AT IIT KHARAGPUR The Bioprocess & Bioproduct Development Laboratory of the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Kharagpur along with the collaborators from USA, Australia, and Canada organized three days workshop under the Government of India’s Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) from 24th to 26th February 2023. The workshops were inaugurated by Prof. Amit Patra, Deputy Director, IIT Kharagpur in the august presence of Dr. Prachi Kaul, Director, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute and Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti, Dean BTBS, IIT Kharagpur. The workshop saw a footfall of  more than 80 participants from both within…
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A Study on Rising Atmospheric Pollution in Rural India

A Study on Rising Atmospheric Pollution in Rural India

Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have found increasing atmospheric pollution in rural India using Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) measurements from satellites. Prof. Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath and Research Scholar Mansi Pathak of Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) of IIT Kharagpur analysed the significant impact of urban pollution on the air quality of rural India by differentiating the pollution in two zones - rural and urban - and assessing the extent of air pollution in rural India. The researchers found that air pollution is not typically an urban phenomenon but can also affects the environment in rural…
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Pledge for Green has not gone unseen

Pledge for Green has not gone unseen

Trees and forests play a very crucial role in maintaining an ecological balance and providing oxygen to human beings on the planet. Van Mahotsav is thus, both warning and an urge to mankind to protect forests, plant trees and avoid the future from turning into deserts. If enough trees are planted in towns and cities, definitely it can help in reducing the overall temperature. Planting trees is recognized as one of the most engaging, environment friendly activities. In an endeavor towards maintaining the green campus as well as to spread awareness of planting more and more trees and protecting the…
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Studying Plastic Pollution in the Ganga with National Geographic

Studying Plastic Pollution in the Ganga with National Geographic

Ganga, the life source of Northern and Eastern India is a prominent area of study by researchers from diverse disciplines, a key among them is the environment. In 2019, the National Geographic Society organized the expedition "Sea to Source: Ganges" to scientifically document plastic waste in the Ganges watershed and support holistic and inclusive solutions. A proud partner in this women scientists-led expedition was IIT Kharagpur along with the Isabela Foundation, University of Dhaka, the Wildlife Institute of India, and Wild Team Bangladesh. Researchers and students from an environment-focused group at the Dept. of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur participated in…
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Turning Steel Slug Dump to Greenery Hub, IIT Kharagpur’s Transformative Work at Odisha

Turning Steel Slug Dump to Greenery Hub, IIT Kharagpur’s Transformative Work at Odisha

IIT Kharagpur Researchers Transform Steel Plant Slag Dumps in Odisha into Greenbelt Using Traditional Indian Organic Components and Japanese Afforestation Techniques A drive through Angul, near the Dhenkanal region of Odisha will give you vast stretches of green canopy and vegetation on what was once industrial dumpsites. The transformation to a green belt is not a natural reclamation but the Midas touch of the Post Mining Mine Site Restoration group of the Department of Mining Engineering of IIT Kharagpur through a project supported by Tata Steel BSL. The researchers afforested over 32000 square feet in the region following a rapid…
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Book Review: Blue Infrastructures by Dr. Jenia Mukherjee

Book Review: Blue Infrastructures by Dr. Jenia Mukherjee

Dr. Jenia Mukherjee, Assistant Professor at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Kharagpur, has published a pioneering volume on Kolkata’s ecological history - Blue Infrastructures: Natural History, Political Ecology and Urban Development in Kolkata. Sponsored by ISIRD, SRIC, IIT Kharagpur, this book is a strong manifestation of interdisciplinary research on the urban environment. The author focuses on Kolkata, formerly the colonial capital of and currently a major megacity in India, in terms of its extensive blue infrastructures, i.e., its rivers, canals and wetlands as an integrated composite whole. "I have tried to unfold ways in which this reclaimed…
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How safe is your tea in a paper cup?

How safe is your tea in a paper cup?

IIT Kharagpur Research Gives Evidence of Microplastic Pollution in the Hot Liquid Consumed from Disposable Paper Cups With the current crusade against single-use plastic, disposable paper cups are on the rise especially for consuming water and hot beverages. But even these cups are not without peril. Recent research by IIT Kharagpur has confirmed contamination of the hot liquid served in paper cups due to the degradation of microplastics and other hazardous components from the lining material of the cup.  Paper cups are usually lined by a thin layer of hydrophobic film which is made of mostly plastic (polyethylene) and sometimes…
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IIT Kharagpur Researchers Develop Industry-grade Silica from Rice Biomass

IIT Kharagpur Researchers Develop Industry-grade Silica from Rice Biomass

Rice husk is one of the most widely available agricultural wastes. The process of disposal of rice husks looks more crucial as burning the material each year during the winters has been creating a severe environmental challenge. While the husk is often used to meet energy requirements for rice milling, this process produces an enormous amount of ash (approx. 20%) which is a hazardous material to the environment. Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have devised an economic and eco-friendly way to dispose of this biowaste. A team of researchers from IIT Kharagpur’s Dept. of Agricultural and Food Engineering have developed a…
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Green Innovation by IITKGP Students Stands Second at NEC Hackathon

Green Innovation by IITKGP Students Stands Second at NEC Hackathon

Students from IIT Kharagpur have secured 1st Runners-up position at the NEC Hackathon: Environment for developing environment-friendly and revenue-maximizing business applications for the farming community to manage crop residue. Vaishnav Katiyar, Pranav Agarwal, Paras Chaudhary and Shivam Tiwari, final year students from the Dept. of Architecture & Regional Planning have achieved this feat at the PAN India competition organized by NEC Japan and HackerEarth. The event witnessed participation from 1149 teams from all over the country of which 18 teams reached the finale. The hackathon enabled participants to identify the challenges, a factor of problems, analyze them and develop a solution…
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