The Hindu : Karnataka News : Govt. urged to set up environment fund

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 14, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Govt. urged to set up environment fund

By Nagesh Prabhu

BANGALORE, JUNE 13. The State of the Environment Report has suggested to the State Government to create an environment fund in the Ecology and Environment Department as a common fund to counter ecological damage in various parts of the State.

A 280-page report released by the Governor, T.N. Chaturvedi, on June 5 (World Environment Day) has come out with common strategies across sectors to protect the environment. It has suggested allocation of 50 per cent of the royalty and `dead rent' collected by the Department of Mines and Geology to the Environment Fund for restoration and reclamation works. The report has identified key areas for immediate action, and says: "Policies should be evolved to determine the value of environmental goods and services and promote voluntary initiatives." Institutions had to rethink and strengthen their role to adapt to and confront new environmental challenges.

The report, which has been published by the Department of Ecology and Environment with financial assistance from the World Bank, has suggested the establishment of environment cells in all departments dealing with projects using/affecting resources and environment, including municipalities. It also favoured introduction of an environment audit to conserve resources and promote cleaner production systems. "The Department of Ecology and Environment must be strengthened considerably to enable preparation and monitoring of a natural resources plan for the State," it says.

In the section on "Blue Agenda," the report says that the demand for water will continue to escalate in the State. About 75 per cent of the cropped area depends on low and uncertain rainfall. While there is overutilisation of water in irrigated areas leading to environmental pressures and underutilisation of water in several other potential areas because of incomplete irrigation projects, "eighty per cent of the west-bound river water is not fully utilised and is allowed to drain into the sea."

On the supply of drinking water, it says 64 per cent of rural habitations and 47 per cent of habitations in urban areas receive less than the stipulated water supply norm of 55 and 135 litres per capita per day, respectively.

Fourteen districts in the State have more than the admissible limits of 1.5 microgram per millilitre of fluoride in drinking water, affecting 10 to 67 per cent of the habitations of these districts. Also, the water available in 13 districts is brackish and there is excess nitrate in water in eight districts and excess iron in water in 12 districts.

The report reveals that groundwater in the vicinity of the major industrial areas of Attibele, Bidadi, Devanahalli, Nanjangud, and Machenahalli exceeds the permissible limits for total dissolved solids.

Discharge of industrial organic pollutants and sewage into water bodies, leaching of pesticides and fertilizers into groundwater, crop violations, and ineffective watershed management, especially upstream of command areas, has degraded water resources in the State.

Strict implementation of cropping pattern, non-renewal of fitness certificate for vehicles older than 15 years, mandatory permission from Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to set up new housing layouts, setting up of heritage development committees under the Environment Protection Act, coverage of rural population with household sanitary toilets, formation of eco-corridors/villages, and legislative action to reduce time for finalisation of comprehensive development plans are some of the measures suggested to the Government to promote sustainable development and a safe environment.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka