Kolkata: A senior scientist has called for greater focus on biomass energy as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fuels, saying it remains underexplored in India, reports The Week.
Speaking at a symposium titled The Green Summit 2025 on Saturday, Aniruddha Mukherjee, professor at Calcutta University and expert in environmental biotechnology, bioremediation, and toxicology, said biomass energy can play a key role alongside solar, tidal, and hydro power.
“Biomass energy has a lot of potential, but it has not been adequately evaluated in the country,” Mukherjee said. Biomass energy is derived from organic matter such as plants, animals, and waste materials, which can be converted into heat, electricity, or biofuels.
Prabir Purakayastha, founder member of the Delhi Science Forum, also addressed the event. He explained that while excess carbon dioxide contributes to global warming, it is not a pollutant in the same sense as particulate matter. “Without carbon dioxide, life on Earth would not exist, though excessive levels remain a serious concern,” he said.
Mukherjee further highlighted India’s demographic challenges, noting that the country’s population is expected to reach 1.68–1.7 billion by 2050. The proportion of citizens above 60 years, currently at 8.4%, is projected to rise to 25% by then.
He stressed the need for scientists and environmentalists to work with industries to address ecological issues and adopt sustainable energy solutions.
