Govt committed to the green cause: J Krishna Palemar

There is urgent need to protect environment. For this, proper planning and coordination of state agencies  is essential. Speaking to DNA on the occasion of the World Environment Day 2010, minister for ports, inland water transport,public works department, ecology and environment J Krishna Palemar says the state government is committed to reduce pollution and green the city and the state.

What is your take on the present environment scenario in the state, including cities and forest areas?
Environment in the cities and forest areas of the state is being damaged due to various reasons. The most important task ahead for us is to stop this and repair the damage. We are formulating various plans to protect the flora and fauna.

Another task ahead is to make the public reduce the usage of plastic. Early morning, one can find large amount of plastic bags dumped everywhere. We seem to be unable to do without them. But they cause pollution, kill wildlife and use up the precious resources of the earth. As litter, they find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. If they are burned, they fill the air with toxic fumes.

The government will do everything to protect nature. But such efforts will yield results only if people take care of environment. Awareness of the harmful effects of plastic bags should begin with children. More wind energy and mini-hydel projects are needed. Green projects are a way to preserve what remains of this planet. But the force to protect environment, especially in forest areas, is limited. There is a shortage of forest staff, due to which a large number of trees and other forest resources are being lost. The government is thinking in a big way to tackle this problem.

What are the new projects or policies which the government is thinking of to reduce the impact on environment?
Our main task is to reduce the use of plastic and completely stop the use of plastic below 20 microns which is coming from other states. In fact, there should be a ban on plastic below 20 microns. To impose this, we will soon hold meetings.

We are also thinking of introducing  green police who will work on protecting environment.

Furthermore, we are also keeping a close vigil on the hazardous and medical waste which is being unscientifically dumped. The dumping site of Dobbaspet is not sufficient. Also the trucks which carry the waste are not up to the mark. We are planning to set up zilla-level collection and scientific disposal centres. This will also help us in keeping track of the waste like whether it is being segregated and properly disposed of.

Is there any special plan to protect Western Ghats and coastal areas? What are you planning to reduce sand erosion taking place on beaches?
Seaside erosion is ever taking place and it is important to curtail it. The government will be spending Rs148 crore to errect cement blocks as a permanent solution. In Ullal, the work is under way to cover a stretch of 700 metres. Seawalls will also come up in other parts like Mangalore and Marwanthe.

The coastal zonal regulations will also be strengthened to protect the 320-km coastline. While in cities we cannot stop new houses from coming up or demolish old ones, in villages, one can control their spread.

When it comes to ports, we are trying to control the pollution levels and make it mandatory for companies to follow guidelines on nets and dust pollution.

Stringent measures are also being formulated to curtail and completely ban illegal sand mining and interstate mining happening at local level. Lorries have been stopped from coming near the ports and coastal areas.

Can you share some information on the afforestation project in the state?
The government is taking steps to increase the forest and green cover in the state.  It has decided to plant 20 lakh saplings in various parts of the state, especially where tree cover has been drastically reduced. Our target is to green 33% of the land according to the central government regulation.

More importance is being given to plantation of native and sturdy tree species which will not fall away in strong winds and downpour. No endemic species will be planted which harm the environment.

How do you rate the environment of Karnataka and Bangalore in particular compared to other states and cities? What should the government do to make Bangalore a true Garden City and Karnataka a true green state?
I cannot rate the state’s and the city’s environment status as a detailed survey is needed. But according to the central government’s environmental index in 2009, Mangalore is ranked seventh among the cities.

But I want to improve the environment and I aim to make the city and state pollution free. But the problem is that the departments do not come together. To address this, a meeting of all departments will be called next month to implement the proposed projects, clear all confusion and formulate working plans.

Pollution has increased over the years and environment has degraded considerably. Improving the situation will take time. But in three years, we will see to it that pollution levels are reduced to some extent.