Nadda launches Centre for Environmental Health

Union minister JP Nadda on Thursday launched the ‘Centre for Environmental Health’ to assess the impact of problems such as air pollution, climate change, pesticide use and sanitation on health.

A joint initiative of the Public Health Foundation of India and the Tata Institute of Social Science, the centre will conduct research across a range of environmental health issues, including chemical exposure, water and hygiene.

“Evidence based research is very important as it gives us strength to sensitise people in that direction. The ministry is proactive on environmental issues, concentrating on preventive and promotive health and this comes in that ambit,” Nadda, who launched the centre jointly with former environment minister Jairam Ramesh, said. 

The Health Minister said the government would work in close coordination with the centre, noting that the research will help in policy-making and sensitising people about the issue.

“This research and capacity-building will be very helpful to us. Whatever inputs we get from the centre we will go forward in that direction and certainly work towards making a difference,” he said.

Ramesh, who had initiated the work for the centre six years ago, said environment-related issues need to be looked upon from the public perspective. 

“If you look at environment as an environmental issue, it will come across as a regulatory burden. It will seem that environment is a constrain for ease of doing business,” he said.