Pune Chapter of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), hosted the 'Green Sabha' initiative on Saturday, October 19.
The event, focused on promoting eco-friendly construction, saw participation from industry experts, architects, and green building advocates. Held at PYC Gymkhana, the gathering aimed to explore sustainable construction methods and green architectural designs.
Manish Banker, Head of Tao Architecture Pvt. Ltd., led the keynote session on 'Design with Nature,' addressing the critical need for eco-conscious construction.
Banker highlighted the dramatic changes Pune has experienced over the past 30 years, stressing that those in the construction industry have a duty to preserve the city's original charm.
He advocated for adopting traditional Indian construction techniques, maximizing solar energy usage, and ensuring that buildings are designed to "breathe," just like the people who live in them.
The event began with an introductory speech by Dr. Poorva Keskar, Chairperson of IGBC Pune Chapter. She outlined the council’s ongoing efforts to promote green buildings through its green rating system and training initiatives.
Dr. Keskar noted that sustainability is not just a trend but should be the core of modern construction. She further emphasized the importance of government incentives and detailed several key sustainability factors, including reduced energy and water consumption, healthy indoor environments, and proper waste management.
The discussion underscored India's goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and the essential role of green construction in achieving this.
Vice-Chairperson Hrisikesh Manjrekar spoke about the need for collaboration between architects and construction professionals to advance sustainable building practices. He stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation in fostering innovation in eco-friendly construction.
During the event, Hindustan Petroleum MDI was honored with a 'Green Building' certification for its sustainable practices. The session was moderated by Sujal Shah and attended by representatives from various organizations, including Mahesh Bangad, Sanjay Tasgaonkar, Ganesh Jadhav, and Anshul Gujarati.