Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Feb 6: Shankar Sharma, a consultant to the electricity industry and a power policy analyst, on Friday February 6 said that the coastal region faces more ecological issues than the rest of the state as it is situated between the ocean and the Western Ghats.

Addressing a meeting on pollution control at the DC's officer here on Friday February 6, Sharma said, "Coastal region faces more problems because on one side there is the ocean and on the other side there are the Western Ghats, so coastal ecology is a very important issue. We are planning to conducted a detailed study on good practices and submit the report to pollution control board.

"After Rajasthan, Karnataka is the most water stressed state in the nation," he added.

He further said, "Each person has contributed to global warming in one or the other way. According to a directive issued in 2008 by the then union government, each state is supposed to come up with a climate plan. Accordingly, public consulation meets are being held in various parts of the state. It was held in Mysuru on January 26 and in Madikeri on January 28. The last meeting will be in Bengaluru."

A B Ibrahim, deputy commissioner of DK district said, "The coastal region is sensitive to change as people want to retain the inherent charm of the place. Here the main issue is with the sea. Though according to some surveys Mangaluru is the second cleanest coast in the nation, there is pollution in the sea because of industrial waste. We have solid waste management plant in Mangaluru but it is not up to the expectations of people. As people of this region travel to different countries their expectations are high. Garbage burning is also a problem. Mangaluru is turning out to be a petro hub so more and more companies are coming up. Pollution is an issue that has to be taken care of."

Kateel Dinesh Pai, an environmental activist representing NGOs, gave his suggestion on pollution and said in desert places green house gas detectors should be placed. "Industries are releasing sulphur and nitrous gases in the air as they are expensive to absorb. This has to be stopped. The Pollution Control Board has given permission to MSEZ companies even though they have clearly said that these industries will emit 16.8 ton sulphur and 17.8 ton nitrous per day. To save forests, Western Ghats have to be protected from projects like Yettinahole. Environment police should be formed and strict action should be enforced against violators of rules."

Raghuveer Pai, researcher Mangaluru University said, "Rain water harvesting should be made compulsory. Waste management plant is available but collecting waste is a major issue. Unadulterated fuel should be used for automobiles. Old machines should be phased out. Farmers should be educated on green technology in farming. We should concentrate on energy efficiency."

Henry Walder from Disha Trust said, "In villages waste is thrown without separating the dry from wet waste. Segregation of waste should be made compulsory and in this direction rules should be formed and notified. Plastic collection should be made by the plastic companies. Compostable waste in villages should not be collected but should be turned into compost and used in farming. In Dakshina Kannada we have many vented dams but none of them isfunctioning. If they start functioning then we willl not face water shortage in this region."

Dr G Shriniketan, professor, NITK Suratkal, N Lakshman and Ganesh, officer, state Pollution Control Board and others were present.