ECO MEASURES CUT POLLUTION LEVELS
For a state that is among the most industrialized in the country, it was feared that pollution levels in Tamil Nadu might surpass acceptable levels. But, the AIADMK government was at hand to initiate several measures for creating a sustainable and green environment. Leaving a great mark, the state stands first in the country for setting up eco- clubs at both government and aided schools. To create awareness among the public, numerous rallies, competitions and camps were held for which funds to the tune of ` 2.46 crore were allotted in 2013- 2014. Taking serious cognizance of the problem posed by plastic accumulation, the government undertook awareness campaign among people at a cost of ` 50 lakhs during the years 2011- 12 and 2012- 13. With a view to overcome the plastic bags and its damage on the environment, about 75 lakhs were allotted to encourage the public to use reusable bags.
A sum of 20 lakhs was allotted to create awareness about the ecologically sensitive areas in around Gulf of Mannar. Plans are afoot to setup recreational spots like park, fishing centre and play areas o in and around Chetpet lake at a cost of ` 22 crore. Renovation of the four temple tanks of Sri Aranganathar Temple at Srirangam were taken up at a cost of about ` 4.04 crore.
To encourage district administrations to promote green causes, collectors were honored with green awards for their role in maintaining the environment. Also significant is the institution of such awards for industries that does their bit for a cleaner environment. On 11th September 2012, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa distributed the awards to 12 industries.
With a view to achieve zero effluent discharges from the polluting
textile units in released 179.34 crores to setup 18 common effluent plants.
In an effort to prevent loss of life during the cleaning of effluent tanks, training was provided to about 3000 effluent treatment plant workers at a sanctioned cost of ` 25 lakhs.
Regular checks were also carried out on polluting industries and the emission levels were periodically monitored. A district office was opened at Tirupur to maintain a vigil over the textile industries present in the textile city. Such offices were also established at coimbatore west and Ariyalur to monitor industries in that region.
The Tamil Nadu pollution control board was revamped with the conversion of the two- tier administrative setup into three- tier setup involving the district, region and headquarters.
A massive tree- planting drive, to increase the green cover in the state, was launched by the government at an estimated cost of 122.17 crore. So far ` 1.95 crore seedlings have been planted costing ` 49.15 crore. With financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency ( JICA) to the tune of ` 686 crore, a Project Management Unit has been established for implementation of the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project. The state government has sanctioned ` 187.11 crore as part of its contribution.
Various tourism initiatives aimed at luring visitors from the state as well as outside are currently in progress. A butterfly park and Nakshatra park is being setup near upper anaicut reserve forest in tiruchi forest division for which a sum of ` 7.35 crore was sectioned. An amount of ` 27.10 crore was sanctioned for the advanced institute of wildlife conservation ( research, training and education) to be setup at Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur near Chennai. Tiger reserves were established in Satyama
ngalam in Erode district, and Sakkaraikottai in Ramanathapuram district. In addition, wild life sanctuaries were setup at Dharmapuri district, Kodaikanal in Dindigul district, Gangaikondan in Tirunelveli district and Kodiakarai in Tiruvarur district.
State permissions were also given to setup a forest museum in Arignar Anna Zoological Park at a cost of ` 20 lakhs during 2013- 14 and ` 13 lakh has been spent so far. The state has also granted permission to develop zoological parks in Vellore and Tiruchi at a cost of ` 5 crore. Renovations of all zoological parks, under the control of Tamil Nadu Zoological Park Empower Agency, has also been sectioned at a cost of ` 6.94 crore.
With parts of the state severely ravaged by the Thane cyclone most notably Villupuram and Cuddalore districts, replanting of trees in affected areas was taken by the government at a total cost of ` 12.96 crore. Governmental sanction was accorded to implement water conservation and canopy improvement strategies in degraded forestlands in 10 districts with the help of NABARD. The scheme is being implemented in 49,173 hectare at a cost of ` 44.38 crore.
People affected by damage caused by wildlife were awarded enhanced compensation. In the event of death, the compensation was increased from ` 1.5 lakhs to ` 3 lakhs and for crops from ` 15,000 to ` 25,000 per acre. A corpus fund of ` 2.5 crore was also created for early settlement of compensation to the affected individuals.
In schools run by the Forest Department, meritorious students securing the first three ranks in the 10 and 12 standard examinations were awarded with amounts ranging from ` 15,000 to ` 50,000. Thus far about 25 students were awarded to the tune of ` 6.70 lakhs.
About 17,564.90 acres have been declared as protective forests and 8,949.33 acres as protective lands in 2012- 13. In the current financial year till March 3 this year about 4,732 hectares were declared as protective forests and 4,179 hectares as protective land.