Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)
Udupi, Aug 23: State forest minister, Ramanath Rai, visited the thermal power plant of Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) near Nandikoor, Padubidri in the district on Monday August 22. It was a surprise visit to check problems being faced by locals because of environmental pollution and other problems created by the plant.
Being the minister in charge of environment pollution and issues connected with it, he has the right to address the public grievance relating to these issues. If any environment pollution control norms are violated by the company, the department has the right to take legal against Adani group which owns UPCL, he stated.
Rai explained that his department has taken up the programme of bringing back the lakes which have ceased to exist or damaged over time, under which the existing lakes will also be looked after and protected.
Taking the entire district as an unit, there is a provision to utilize Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund for developing forest areas through private sector. The department will send CCF proposal, under which this private sector can develop forest areas, Rai pointed out.
There are several private companies which have adopted government lakes in Bengaluru for maintenance and to improve the quality of water. Some of the adopted lakes in different districts are Maragondanahalli lake by UBR group company, Bommasandra lake by BEL company, Halahalli lake by Netherhood trust, Mysuru lake by Infosys, Jindal company maintaining Ballari lake that is acquired by revenue department for about 100 hectares and so on, he stated.
Rai also said that the purpose of his current visit was backed by his earnest desire to protect environment. The government had introduced many programmes to protect forests like green fencing, green schools, wildlife visits etc.
He also clarified about his surprise visit, by reminding the people that the only thing they can conserve and save for the future is nature alone. He also drew the attention of the people to the fact that environment conservation is a question of life and death of the people. He said that the environment of the world has become polluted and getting increasingly polluted with each passing day with the adding of poisonous substances.
Keeping global temperature under control and making efforts to maintain peace in society are everyone's responsibility for happy future, Rai said.
There was some heated exchange of words between UPCL officers and forest minister over certain complaints received from the members of general public.
Answering questions of media persons, the minister said that he has never received any proposal from the company regarding acquisition of additional land, so far. This issue will be discussed in the Industrial area development department's meeting. Most of the decisions will taken by higher authorities, Rai said expressing his limitations.
IFS officer, Ramachandra, chief executive director of Adani-UPCL, Kishore Alva, and others were present at the meeting.
Watch Video :