Govt to follow SC rule on green in mining areas

Addressing a gathering at Jnana Jyothi Auditorium on the occasion of Foundation Day of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Gowda said investments in the State were good, but they should strike a balance between environmental issues and development.

Referring to mining in Bellary, Gowda said the government was seriously considering the Supreme Court directions regarding environmental conservation in the mining zones of the State.

On the environmental issues in Bangalore, he said the government’s priorities were providing clean drinking water to citizens, constructing stormwater drains, and solid waste management.

“The government is committed to providing underground drains in every part of the city and ensure the sewage treatment plants function properly. It will also streamline solid waste management to avoid  adverse effect on environment,” Gowda said.
He, however, sought the citizens’ participation for a clean Bangalore. “Saving Bangalore is everyone’s responsibility. People’s role is essential for the success of any government scheme,” he said.

The chief minister assured Transport Minister R Ashoka, who was also present at the function, that he would seriously consider the transport department’s long-pending demand for subsidy on ethanol.

Hailing the industrial units that bagged the KSPCB awards for taking environment-friendly measures, Gowda asked them to inspire others to emulate them.

Oil lobby
Minister Ashoka said the government was running about 1,500 of its 21,000 buses on ethanol-blended diesel. The government is moving towards an alternative fuel, but there are many challenges hindering the move, he added.

“We are not getting permission for using alternative fuel. If that happens, it will benefit farmers and the people in general. But the powerful oil lobby is at work. The Middle East is dependent on oil money and it doesn’t want any such measure initiated,” he said.
He said the government was interested in battery-run buses, cars and other vehicles, but proper research was not encouraged.

On environmental issues pertaining to mining, Ashoka said: “We cannot use up iron ore, simply because it belongs to us. We have to conserve it for the future generations too. We have to restrain from committing excesses on Nature.”