Major initiatives under way in Tamil Nadu for sustaining environmental development were aligned to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s Vision 2023, Environment Minister Thoppu N.D. Venkatachalam said here n Friday.
Large-scale funding for revival of major tanks and massive planting of saplings were directed at eclipsing the impact of harmful gases released into the environment due to industrial progress.
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The Chief Minister’s hope is on younger generation for sustaining environmental development, Mr. Venkatachalam said, inaugurating a two-day seminar and exhibition on environmental awareness at Sri Vari Arangam along Perundurai Road.
In the backdrop of changes in monsoon pattern, melting of glaciers and resultant rise in sea level, Tamil Nadu was in the forefront in taking remedial measures through emphasis on increasing green cover for multi-pronged benefits of preventing soil erosion, bringing down heat effect, recharging aquifer, and preventing the effect of ultra-violet radiation. Through proper treatment, pollution in water bodies in Erode district has been addressed effectively, he said.
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The Eco Clubs and National Green Corps units in schools were playing a pivotal role in bringing about gradual restoration of tree cover, campaigning against use of plastic materials, and creating awareness about rainwater harvesting. It has now become imperative for each individual to plant a sapling and tend to it, he said.
Presiding over, K. Skandan, Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, advocated that initiation of environment consciousness must begin at the level of individual households.
Awareness programmes
Awareness programmes have become necessary to protect water and air, he said, adding that the younger generation needs to learn where the polluted water goes, how and why it must be cleaned.
Hans Raj Verma, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment and Forests, observed that the youth were responsive to the initiatives under way for sustaining a clean, green environment on which, he said, hinged their future.
H. Malleshappa, Director of Environment, said environmental remediation was being carried out through close to 14,500 eco clubs in schools.
The Government has sanctioned Rs. 17.5 crore for Erode district for reviving utility of Ganirowtherkulam in Erode taluk and Rs. 4.5 crore for Iyerkulam in Perudurai taluk, and a few other tanks.
Integrated Costal Zone Management has also been accorded a thrust. Local-level interventions to safeguard water, land and air was being carried out to address monsoon-change impact, he said.
District Collector S. Prabakar, Erode MP S. Selvakumara Chinnaiyan, Corporation Mayor Malliga Paramasivam, and Erode West MLA K.V. Ramalingam also spoke.