Final draft of state environment policy to be ready by May

Chennai:

The final draft of State Environment Policy is expected to be ready by May, according to member secretary of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board T S Srinivasamurthy.

Speaking after the conclusion of the workshop on formulation of Tamil Nadu State Environment Policy here on Thursday, he said the drafting committee, selected during the workshop will submit its draft in less than a week. Then the draft will be uploaded in the website seeking suggestions from the public, he added.

He said the focus would be on Tamil Nadu integrated coastal management, besides recent trends in green energy concept and climate change. The policy will also factor in specific areas in the state including biodiversity hotspots.

He also said the focus will also be on solid waste management, waste water management, hazardous and biomedical waste.

Earlier, the workshop was inaugurated by state environment minister B V Ramanaa. The minister said there is a need for a sound environment policy that ensures the negative effects of economic development are appropriately minimized through sound policies, strong institutions and effective monitoring and enforcement.

He said the state environment policy will focus on present and future challenges on the environment and would have future vision beyond 100 years from today. 

Representatives from town planning department, municipal administration and water supply and metropolitan transport corporation highlighted the need for land pooling scheme,  new amendment to cover non-plan areas besides modern slaughter houses and crematoriums, solid waste management, comprehensive study of wetlands and underground sewage system. The experts also stressed the need for separate lanes for heavy vehicles, public transport, cars, two wheelers and cycles.