Sustainable resource use key to future security: IIPE Director

Prof V S R K Prasad, Founder Director of the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), on Thursday stressed the need for sustainable use of natural resources to ensure a secure and healthy future for present and future generations.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Visakhapatnam chapter of the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), where he delivered a lecture on “Waste to Wealth for a Better Environment”.

Prasad said effective resource management could reduce waste and pollution while supporting economic growth by ensuring a steady supply of materials. He highlighted the importance of structured recycling systems for paper, plastic, glass and electronic waste.

He said sustainability was not limited to institutions and individuals also had a responsibility through everyday practices such as recycling, conserving water and electricity, using energy-efficient lighting and choosing sustainable transport options.

Referring to urban challenges, Prasad said vehicular emissions were a major contributor to pollution and had a direct impact on public health. Greater adoption of electric vehicles would help cut road-level pollution, he said, adding that nuclear power could meet rising energy demand while keeping emissions low.

He also flagged concerns related to data centres, saying careful planning of water and energy use was needed to address issues faced by people living in surrounding areas.

PRSI Visakhapatnam chapter chairman M K V L Narasimham, vice-chairman R P Sharma, secretary A Govinda Rao, PRSI Dehradun chapter secretary Anil Sathi, and senior public relations professionals from government and private organisations were present.