Date:28/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/12/28/stories/2007122851981900.htm

Back ‘Navy will give priority to environmental concerns’

– Vipin Chandran

Vice-Admiral Sunil K. Damle, Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, inaugurating the national convention of the Indian Institute of Architects here on Thursday.

Our Bureau

Kochi, Dec. 27 Indian Navy will give top priority to environmental concerns while carrying out its expansion and developmental plans, Vice-Admiral Sunil K. Damle, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, has said.

Speaking after the inauguration of the National Convention of Indian Institute of Architects here on Thursday, he said that environmental concerns occupy a prominent place in the Navy’s roadmap for the future.

Green and clean way

While Navy is looking at infrastructure development to meet its training and operational needs, it aims to do so in as green and clean a way as possible. Garbage management, pollution control and development of green spaces are the priority areas that the Navy is currently addressing, he said.

The world class Naval Academy at Ezhimala would be ready in 2009 and it will provide a prime example of infrastructure development coexisting with environmental conservation since it has been designed to be a green project right from the drawing board. The design was selected after a national competition amongst the reputed architects and the selected design is being constantly refined to meet world class standards, he added.

He also stressed upon the need to introspect on the urbanisation of India and the corresponding strain on civic amenities and resources. Urban areas are growing at an unprecedented pace and the huge demand for housing that has been spawned by the economic growth has thrown up huge associated problem – the collapse of civic amenities, climate change and the traffic explosion, he added.

‘Conscious Urbanism’

Mr Gurunath Dalvi, President, Indian Institute of Architects, in his presidential address said the national convention provides a platform that is expected to bring together architects and planners from across the country and even some experts from overseas, to deliberate and introspect on the theme subject of ‘Conscious Urbanism’.

Over 500 architects from across the country are participating in the convention.