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AP to promulgate ordinance for nature conservation

Our Bureau

HYDERABAD, Dec. 5

THE Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet, while clearing a new infrastructure policy, has approved promulgation of State Water, Land, and Trees Ordinance, aimed at conservation of natural resources.

The State Information Minister, Dr N. Shivaprasad, said the ordinance is aimed at promoting water conservation and increasing tree cover and regulating the exploitation and use of groundwater and surface water and to ensure protection and conservation of water resources and environment.

This envisages constitution of Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Trees Authority of which the Minister of Forest or any other minister nominated will be ex-officio chairman.

The authority (with a mandate to meet at least once in three months), while regulating water conservation and enhancement of tree cover, advise the Government on the legislative and administrative measures for conservation of land-based natural resources . It will also advise on strengthening public participation in conservation of natural resources.

It entails creation of a mandal level authority to provide inputs from the grassroots. While earmarking certain zones where water pumping is prohibited, it makes it mandatory for every user of a well and a borewell to register. Further, since wells requi re pumping facility, AP Transco permission has now been made mandatory to make necessary fixtures.

Construction of rain water harvesting structures, re-cycling and reuse of waste water by industrial and domestic users and effective steps against water contamination are being built into this.

Tree plantation is to be made mandatory in urban areas. Guidelines for tree plantation along highways, canals is to be taken up on a massive scale. Along with this, encouragement would be given to acquire non-conventional energy devices to protect the tr ees.

Based on a public interest litigation in the State High Court, the Government, while taking up massive promotional campaigns, is set to crackdown on polluting vehicles.