Ensuring clean environment to the next generation is everyone’s responsibility, says KSPCB chairman

MLA and chairman of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) P.M. Narendraswamy has said that passing on a clean environment to the next generation is the responsibility of everyone and there should be collective contribution towards reducing pollution and people should use eco-friendly vehicles.

He was speaking after inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations of the KSPCB organised at Nehru Stadium in Hubballi on Tuesday. Regional offices of KSPCB in Dharwad, Gadag, and Uttara Kannada districts had jointly organised the event.

Mr. Narendraswamy said that in Gadag, Dharwad, and Uttara Kannada, over 3.5 lakh milk packets were getting into the soil everyday. “Steps have to be taken to prevent it by creating awareness. A country should have forests in 33% of the total land but we have it in less than 20%. The National Green Tribunal too has emphasised on environment conservation. The challenge is excessive use of chemical pesticides and huge solid waste generated in urban areas and it has to be addressed through collective efforts,” he said.

He said that to create awareness, quizzes and debates were being held in schools and colleges, and prizes were being given for those making reels on environment conservation. The KSPCB would set up six air quality monitoring centres in Dharwad district, he said.

Mr. Narendraswamy emphasised the need for the public to be involved more in initiatives of environment conservation and said that the impact would be more through concerted efforts. He also listed various initiatives taken at the global level through conventions and emphasised that the board was working towards achieving global goals and mandates.

Presiding over the function, MLA Mahesh Tenginakai called on people to join hands in various initiatives to make towns and cities free of garbage and plastic. He said that extensive training was required to make industries reduce the amount of waste generated. People should also contribute towards saving waterbodies, he said.

MLA and chairman of Karnataka Slum Development Board Prasad Abbayya elaborated on various measures taken by the government in addressing the issue. The KSPCB had taken a good initiative of sensitising the children, the future citizens of the country towards environment conservation, he said.

A host of political leaders including MLA Arabail Shivaram, former MP I.G. Sanadi, Hubballi Dharwad Mayor Jyoti Patil, Chairman of HDUDA Shakir Sanadi and various officials were present. On occasion those who were involved in environmental conservation initiatives were honoured.