Prof Ravindra Khaiwal of PGIMER Appointed as Convener of Knowledge Forum on Stubble, MSW, and Biomass by the Commission for Air Quality Management
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), New Delhi, has appointed Prof. Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, as Convener of the Knowledge Forum on Stubble, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), and Biomass under its Shudh Vayu Sampark (SuVaS) initiative.
Prof. Khaiwal has gained wide recognition for his pioneering research on agricultural residue burning in North India. His work focuses specifically on Punjab and Haryana. He provides critical insights into how stubble burning contributes to seasonal air pollution. Prof. Khaiwal also examines its associated health impacts. He has published over 200 papers, achieved an h-index of 63, and earned 18,000 citations.
Prof. Khaiwal to Lead Knowledge Forum on Sustainable Air Quality
His work has significantly advanced the scientific understanding of air pollution in India. As Convener, Prof. Khaiwal will lead strategic dialogues. He will foster collaborative research. He will also coordinate with sectoral SuVaS members. Their goal is to develop innovative, evidence-based, and actionable solutions for addressing stubble burning, biomass utilization, and MSW management. The Knowledge Forum brings together eminent experts from leading institutions. These include IIT Delhi, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (Pune). The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology is also involved. The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute participates too. Punjab Renewable Energy Systems and the Confederation of Biomass Energy Industry of India are contributing as well. This diversity ensures a multidisciplinary approach towards sustainable air quality management.
Prof. Khaiwal Vows Collective Action for Cleaner Air through SuVaS
Commenting on his appointment, Prof. Khaiwal mentioned that he is deeply honored to serve as Convener of this critical Knowledge Forum. He added that tackling challenges like stubble burning and biomass management requires collective wisdom, innovation, and strong community engagement. Dr Khaiwal highlighted that through SuVaS, we aim to develop practical and scalable solutions. These solutions improve air quality. They protect public health and support sustainable development.
