MMRDA and TERI to work hand in hand

By Pallavii Pitale

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority ( MMRDA) alongwith The Energy and Resources Institute ( TERI )has signed a memorandum of understanding ( MOU ) in order to ensure overarching sustainability in urban areas and to promote energy efficient technologies, renewable energy and economic development in sustainable environmental framework by formulating sustainable policies for urban India.

Established in 1974,TERI is a global Not- for- profit research organization and a unique developing country institution. It is committed to all aspects of sustainable development.

In India, with it’s centres at Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Mukteshwar and Guwahati, TERI formulates strategies at local and national level to develop global solutions for critical energy and environment issues.

Dr.Rajendra Pachauri, a Nobel Laureate and Director General of TERI, is glad with the approach of MMRDA towards sustainable infrastructural development in Mumbai city region. He will also be the advisor for the Innovation Park, said Mr.Ratnakar Gaikwad, The Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA.

Jointly MMRDA and TERI have identified certain key issues to address environmental changes. Promotion of green buildings, Achieving energy efficiency in MMRDA buildings, renewable energy applications wherever possible, organizing various workshops,seminars and conferences on awareness towards green practices, developing projects methodologies for the preservation of mangroves, natural wetlands and salt pans within region, assessing human influx on infrastructural projects, estimating carbon foot prints of organizations and compilation of environmental status report are some of the issues which will be taken care of.