Biological Monitoring, Analysis & Quality Assurance Workshop on 20– 22 Nov

Chandigarh, November 22, 2018: Three-day residential training programme on the “Biological Monitoring, Analysis and Quality Assurance” concluded today at Panjab University. This programme was jointly organized by Panjab University and PGIMER Chandigarh with support from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi. This training aims to build the capacity of the participants to initiate biomonitoring in their respective state laboratories or research institute to monitor and control the pollution of water bodies such as lakes, ponds and rivers. Over 35 participants from various pollution control boards representing 12 states of India attended the training programme. Prof Sanjay Kaushik, Honorary Director, Indian Council of Social Science Research, North-Western Region, Panjab University and Dean College Development Council (DCDC) Panjab University chaired the valedictory session. Prof Kaushik highlighted that there is need to increase the public participation for the protection of our water bodies. Dr. Suman Mor, Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, and coordinator of the programme stated that there is need to public laboratories, where students and common public can be trained for bio-monitoring of lake river and ponds to protect them so that they become the pillar of environmental protection. She also stressed that biological monitoring allows to know ecosystems dynamics and also serves as support in the conservation, management and sustainable use of natural resources. Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, joint coordinator of the programme and Additional Professor of Environmental Health, School of Public Heath, PGIMER stressed upon the implementation of water safety plans to ensure adequate water quality by protecting water supply systems from hazards, which may lead to outbreak of a disease. He also highlighted that data should be interpreted with a holistic approach having incorporation of quality check and good lab practices to ensure safe drinking water supply. During the three-day training over various issues related to microbiology of water & wastewater, bacteriological examination of water, biomonitoring of rivers & lakes, toxicity assessment, quality control and quality assurance were covered. Several experts from the region including Prof R Jindal, Prof Prince Sharma, Dr Yogesh Rawal, Dr. Naveen Gupta, Dr. Nishima from Panjab University and Prof Samir Malhotra, Dr Malkit Singh, Dr. Bhaskar Krihnamurthy from PGIMER provided the practical and hands-on training to the participants. The training programme is financially supported by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi.