TORONTO: There is increasing awareness in India regarding environmental issues, both in government and in the general population, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) said in a press note. "Alternative fuels" and "environmentally friendly technologies" are now common words in India and legislation has been enacted to reduce air, water and land pollution. "Now that these laws are being enforced, opportunities for Canadian companies abound," asserts the ministry. "The Indian environmental goods and services market is estimated at $3.1 billion, and presents tremendous opportunities for Canadian companies involved in renewable energy, energy efficiency, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, hazardous waste management, and urban infrastructure -- all areas in which Canada has global expertise," according to DFAIT. Some of the major environment sectors it identified include -- small hydro/hydro refurbishment; cogeneration technology; flue gas desulphurisation of thermal power stations; use of fly ash from thermal power stations; water and wastewater treatment; sea water desalination; durable membrane-based reverse osmosis; recovery and reuse of mercury from mercury cells for various industries; clariflocculators and fibre recovery in pulp mills; waste and biomedical waste management involving hazardous waste incineration and mechanical sludge; and de-watering special instrumentation for continuous operation using, for example, beta-absorption and UV fluorescence. Most major projects require an environmental review and approval from the central and state governments, it warned but said once a viable market has been identified, DFAIT can help companies make key contacts and connect companies to Canadian institutions that can assist with financing, insurance, guarantees and the backing of the Canadian government.
Source: IANS