The Hindu Business Line : Kochi civic panel moots creation of environment divn

THE executive committee of the Paristithi Bhavan of the Kochi Corporation has come up with a proposal to set up an Environment Division (ED) in the Corporation.

One of the main tasks assigned to the ED is the environment and ecological impact assessment of various projects, including water management, and proposals that are being implemented in corporation limits.

The ED should assess the environmental and ecological impact of building measures such as residential houses, shops, offices, markets, drainage, sewage, flyovers, wetland reclamation and any engineering intervention that may adversely affect the quality of environment.

The committe suggested that the ED should act as a nodal agency for the protection and improvement of the environment and ecology of the areas. It should also engage experts to assess environmental impact and assist the division.

The ED should have a role in recommending and assisting the Corporation in all matters of prevention and control of pollution, protection of forest and wildlife, biodiversity conservation, protection of wetland and management of coastal zones.

The committee pointed out that the division should insist on an environment ecological impact assessment for every proposal for establishing industrial units within the jurisdiction of Corporation notwithstanding the NOC issued by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board.

The ED should also insist setting up of biomedical waste disposal mechanism by private hospitals as per rules.

As the Corporation is the trustee of all the natural resources in areas coming under its jurisdiction, it should have the power to forbid the cutting of trees as recommended by the Division. It should prepare an inventory of sacred trees and keystone trees such as banyan trees that are there for protection and conservation.

The committee also suggested that the Kochi Corporation should render financial incentives such as tax discounts to people for preserving trees that are conserved as sacred trees. The committee has also urged the planning department to make arrangements for the annual maintenance of avenue trees including the pruning of trees, dressing injuries and maintenance of tree guards.

The Corporation should also prohibit the cutting, injuring and disfiguring of any avenue trees within its area and shall initiate civic and criminal proceedings against the offenders, the committee suggested.