Indian Express 13.01.2010
Environment dept chalks out ‘vision plan’ for 2010
A Programme to develop eco-cities and eco-villages in Maharashtra, lake and river conservation, stringent air and water monitoring: these are just a few tasks that the state’s environment ministry has chalked out in its 2010 vision document.
In an effort to introduce their vision to the environment fraternity, state environment minister Suresh Shetty addressed a meeting on Tuesday with various government departments, non-governmental organisation and other stake holders. Representative from NGOs like Mangroves Society of India, Awaz Foundation, Bombay Environmentalist Action Group and other Mumbai and Pune activists were present for the meeting. The state also announced its Vasundhara Award for organisations and students working for the environment.
Pointing the need for a stricter regulation to control non-biodegradable waste, Sachin Ahir minister of state (environment) said, “E-waste and bio-waste control have today become most important for the pollution control board. We need to take these regulations to district, taluka and even gram panchayat levels now.”
The ministry also plans to increase coordination with other state departments to workout a feasible plans on future projects like green buildings, environment cess etc, Shetty said.
To increase accountability the environment department has also begun listing complaints and the action taken on their website, he added.
