EIACP (PC-RP) on Environmental Problems of Mining

Date | 05.05.2025:

As part of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad's ongoing Centenary Celebrations, and under the “Mission LiFE Keynote Lecture Series [2025–26] – Harnessing Innovation for Environmental Sustainability: Policies, Practices, and Partnerships,” the EIACP Programme Centre (RP) and Centre for Mining Environment at Department of Environmental Science & Engineering (ESE), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, on Monday, May 5th, 2025, organized a lecture-cum-interaction session on “Environmental Issues of Food Processing Industries” at the Seminar Hall, Department of ESE, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

Before the commencement of the keynote lecture session, the invited keynote speaker, Mr. Ashok Agarwal, Director, KLA Food India Ltd., Uttarakhand, India was formally welcomed by Prof. Alok Sinha, Head, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering and Coordinator, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, at the HOD’s chamber. During this interaction, both parties engaged in a fruitful discussion on prospective collaborations between the Department/Institute and KLA Food India Ltd. The conversation focused on creating meaningful academic-industry linkages, including opportunities for M.Tech students, research scholars, and even candidates from GSDP (Green Skill Development Programme) training to undertake on-site visits to the company. Such visits would offer valuable field exposure and insights into sustainable agro-industrial practices. They also explored the potential for students and scholars to engage in project-based learning, internships, and collaborative research initiatives aligned with the environmental priorities of the food processing sector.

At the outset of the keynote lecture session, Prof. Biswajit Paul, Professor, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, extended a warm welcome to the invited keynote speaker and all the participants. Prof. Sinha in his welcome address, emphasized the significance of addressing real-world environmental challenges through knowledge exchange and collaborative dialogue. Prof. Sinha conveyed his confidence that the session would foster meaningful insights and encourage constructive discussions on advancing sustainable practices in the food processing sector, and provide valuable exposure to M.Tech students and research scholars, while helping them align their academic pursuits with practical, industry-relevant environmental solutions. Following the welcome, Prof. Biswajit Paul also delivered a brief introduction of the invited keynote speaker, Mr. Ashok Agarwal. Prof. Paul introduced Mr. Agarwal as a distinguished alumnus of ISM Dhanbad, who completed his B.Tech in Mineral Engineering with a Gold Medal in 1992, and has since become a pioneering entrepreneur and environmental advocate in India’s agro-industrial landscape.

Mr. Ashok Agarwal in his keynote lecture, delivered a comprehensive overview of the environmental challenges and emerging opportunities in the food processing sector. He highlighted the sector's critical role in global food security while drawing attention to its substantial environmental footprint—particularly in terms of water and energy consumption, waste generation, effluent discharge, and carbon emissions. Mr. Agarwal emphasized the urgent need for the sector to adopt sustainable production practices, energy-efficient technologies, and green innovations to minimize its ecological impact.

Drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Agarwal shared how, under his visionary leadership, KLA Food India Ltd. has emerged as a trailblazer in sustainable agribusiness. Starting with a traditional family-owned rice milling unit in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand in the early 1990s, he transformed the business into a modern, export-oriented enterprise through strategic modernization and environmental stewardship. Key milestones of KLA’s green transition includes:

• Becoming the first company in Uttar Pradesh to directly export food grains, earning national and state awards for export excellence.
• Installing Uttarakhand’s first grid-interactive rooftop solar power plant in 2015 to promote green energy.
• Receiving the National Productivity Council Award for achievements in energy conservation.
• Importing state-of-the-art rice and vegetable processing units from Japan and Sweden, ensuring maximum efficiency in resource utilization and minimal waste.
• Promoting agro-waste reuse, energy recovery, and community-centric sustainability initiatives.

Mr. Agarwal shared that today, KLA exports food products to over 40 countries across 4 continents, provides employment to more than 200 people, and achieves annual exports worth over ₹500 crore. KLA's sustainability-focused practices have inspired numerous small and medium enterprises across the region, catalyzing Rudrapur's emergence as one of India’s leading agro-processing hubs.

Mr. Agarwal’s keynote lecture on "Environmental Issues of Food Processing Industries" aligns seamlessly with the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) campaign’s theme “Adopt Sustainable Food System”, focusing on reducing the environmental footprint of the food sector while promoting resource efficiency, eco-friendly innovations, responsible consumption & production practices, and ecological responsibility. By showcasing practical solutions, policy recommendations, and scalable industry models, the session promoted the adoption of cleaner technologies and circular economy approaches, aligning with India's broader vision of environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Mr. Agarwal illustrated this connection by showcasing a range of practical solutions, policy recommendations, and scalable industry models, all aimed at promoting cleaner technologies, green energy, and circular economy practices within the food processing industry. His insights reflected India’s broader vision of environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

The lecture also echoed global concerns, as highlighted by the United Nations, which reports that food systems contribute nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning to sustainable food production and consumption—from farm to plate—can significantly contribute to bridging the global emissions gap. The talk further tied in with Sustainable Development Goal 12, which advocates for responsible consumption and production patterns by encouraging efficient resource use, waste minimization, and adoption of sustainable industrial practices.

At the conclusion of the keynote lecture session, Mr. Ashok Agarwal was felicitated by Prof. Alok Sinha, with a memento as a token of appreciation for his valuable time and for delivering an inspiring and insightful lecture. Also present during the felicitation were Prof. Nikkam Suresh, Emeritus Professor, Department of Fuel, Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Prof. Biswajit Paul.

Mr. Ashok Agarwal, drawing from his strong academic foundation in Mineral Engineering at ISM Dhanbad, effectively applied core engineering principles—such as screening techniques and cyclone separation methods typically used in mineral processing—to revolutionize his family’s traditional rice milling business. By ingeniously adapting these technologies for efficient husk particle settlement and material handling, he minimized waste generation and optimized operational efficiency. This innovative approach not only modernized the production process but also laid the foundation for a sustainable agro-industrial enterprise. His journey exemplifies how domain-specific technical knowledge, when applied creatively, can drive impactful change beyond its conventional boundaries. For students, especially those in engineering and environmental disciplines, Mr. Agarwal’s story is a powerful lesson in interdisciplinary thinking, innovation, and the importance of leveraging academic learning to solve real-world challenges while promoting sustainability.

The session drew an enthusiastic response from the audience, which included 45 participants comprising faculty members, research scholars, M.Tech students, and also including some representatives from small and medium agro-processing units based in and around Dhanbad. The interaction sparked rich discussions on aligning industrial development with sustainability goals, exploring circular economy approaches, integrating environmental policy frameworks, and strengthening the role of industry-academia collaboration in mitigating the ecological impacts of food processing. In line with the overarching objectives of Mission LiFE and India’s climate commitments, the lecture-cum-interaction session proved to be a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, inspiration, and partnership-building—all essential for driving sustainable transformation in the agro-industrial sector.

Glimpses of Lecture under Mission LiFE Keynote Lecture Series [2025-26]
held on 05.05.2025 at Dept. of ESE, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

Invited Keynote Speaker Mr. Ashok Agarwal, Director, KLA Food India Ltd., Uttarakhand, India along with Prof. Alok Sinha, Head, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering and Coordinator, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Prof. Biswajit Paul, Professor, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Prof. Nikkam Suresh, Emeritus Professor, Department of Fuel, Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad at the HOD’s Chamber, Dept. of ESE, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

Welcome Address delivered by Prof. Biswajit Paul, Professor, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

A brief introduction of invited keynote speaker Mr. Ashok Agarwal, Director, KLA Food India Ltd., delivered by Prof. Biswajit Paul, Professor, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

Invited Speaker, Mr. Ashok Agarwal, Director, KLA Food India Ltd., delivering a keynote lecture on the topic titled “Environmental Issues of Food Processing Industries”.

Invited Speaker, Mr. Ashok Agarwal, Director, KLA Food India Ltd., delivering a keynote lecture on the topic titled “Environmental Issues of Food Processing Industries”.

Distinguished Guests, Faculty Members, students and research scholars attending the keynote lecture.

Q&A Session.

Invited Keynote Speaker, Mr. Ashok Agarwal, Director, KLA Food India Ltd, felicitated by Prof. Alok Sinha, Head, Department of Environmental Science & Engineering and Coordinator, EIACP (PC-RP), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, with a memento as a token of appreciation. Also present during the felicitation were Prof. Nikkam Suresh (Left), Emeritus Professor, Department of Fuel, Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Prof. Biswajit Paul, Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.

Post Keynote Lecture Session, Mr. Ashok Agarwal, interacting with the students and research scholars.

Group Photo.

Newspaper Clippings.

 
(Source: Hindustan; Dated: 06.05.2025)

 
(Source: Koylanchal Sambad; Dated: 06.05.2025)

 
(Source: G C News; Dated: 06.05.2025)

(Source: Prabhat Khabar; Dated: 06.05.2025)