Bangalore: In line with the company's policy to protect, preserve and enhance the environment it works in and supporting projects that bring benefit to the community, Coca-Cola India, in association with the SEARCH Foundation launched the Coca-Cola India Lecture Series on Sustainable Environment at the India International Centre in Bangalore today (Nov 20, 2004).

The programme was inaugurated by Professor Robert Swan, noted environmentalist and the first person in history to have walked unsupported at both the South and North Poles. Delivering the keynote address at the session, Professor Swan said, "Its my privilege to meet such a distinguished panel and learn from their experiences. I wish to thank Coca-Cola India for providing this opportunity to me and congratulate the company for this laudable initiative."

The inaugural lecture in this series was delivered on "Water Conservation and Augmentation Using Rain Water Harvesting". Several eminent speakers, including Dr M.Mehta, commissioner, Ground Water, Ministry of Water Resources, Dr Salim Roomani, member secretary, Central Ground Water Board, Dr B. Sengupta, member secretary, Central pollution Control Board, Magasaysay Awardee Rajendra Singh shared their views and expressed the need to initiate direct action for water conservation across the country. Prof AK Gosain, IIT Delhi moderated the two technical sessions.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Gupta, vice president, External Affairs - South Asia, Coca-Cola India said, "The need to initiate direct action and increase awareness on sensitive issues like environment cannot be overemphasized and we believe committed Corporates can play a vital role in this area. We are delighted to be able to work with SEARCH Foundation in organizing this lecture series and hope that it will help to fulfil the needs of the communities across the country. He added, "We are honoured by the presence of such a distinguished panel of experts and feel immensely encouraged to take this initiative forward."

According to the company release, this programme aims to increase awareness on environment issues among general public, Government agencies and various stakeholders as well as identify key initiatives that can help in environment conservation over a long-term.

This series would consist of 12 monthly lectures spread across the year and each lecture would have technical sessions where leading luminaries would speak on various environment related issues, the release said.