Prominent environmental scientist P.A. Ramachandran passed away
Kozhikode: Prominent environmental scientist, engineer and writer P.A. Ramachandran who made significant contributions for the formation of many action plans that set standards for environmental planning and protection passed away at a private hospital in Ernakulam on Friday. The 82-year old Thrissur native who was settled in Kozhikode was under treatment following an accidental fall.
A fellow of the World Health Organisation during 1980-1981, he had handled prime roles in various State and Central government institutions. It was during his tenure as the Regional Engineer of Kerala State Pollution Control Board that the management of Gwalior Rayons factory faced strong legal actions for discharging the industrial effluents to the Chaliyar river.
His contributions as a consultant had been instrumental for designing and constructing industrial effluent treatment plants for the Ganga Action Plan in the highly polluted Kanpur industrial belt. This was apart from his engineering support to many major projects implemented by the Kerala Public Works Department and the Kerala Water Authority.
For his decades’ of expertise in the field and post-graduation in the subject from the California State University, he had been appointed as the head of the Environment and Safety Department, Government of Dubai and the Senior Controller of Pollution in the Ministry of Environment, Oman. He had also served as the Lead Auditor for a German-based international inspection and certification firm.
Ramachandran’s passion for writing had also won him several followers and researchers in environmental affairs. ‘Ee Kalavum Kadannu Pokum’, ‘Nakshathrangale Thottu Nilkkumbol’ and ‘Ente Haritha Yathrakal’ were some of the prominent works in the list. It was in 1976 that he came to Kozhikode and later emerged a prominent personality in the field.
He is survived by wife Leena Devi and daughter Anupama. The cremation will take place at Santhi Kavadam crematorium, Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday evening.
courtesy: The Hindu
