Need for environment-friendly development: CM

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for development that does not harm the environment in modern times. He was speaking after performing the State-level inauguration of the World Environment Day celebrations in the State on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for development that does not harm the environment in modern times.

He was speaking after performing the State-level inauguration of the World Environment Day celebrations in the State on Wednesday.

Mr. Vijayan said the lessons from natural disasters that were caused by climate change were in front of the State. It had experienced drought-like conditions and flooding. The government had a clear vision of preparations, projects, and policies to tackle climate change. For this, State Action Plan on Climate Change framework had been revised.

This year’s celebrations focussed on sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, water, fishing, and tourism. Stress should be on environment-friendly sustainable development. Any environmental concerns arising out of development activities should be addressed with people’s participation. Greenhouse gas emissions were a major problem today. Transportation, industry, and unscientific waste management worsened it.

Kerala, though, was trying to become a carbon-neutral State by 2050. It was trying to increase the number of carbon sinks and launching a web portal that contained the State’s carbon details. Scientific waste management too was being done with the support of local bodies. Use of fossil fuels should be minimised, and electric vehicles used. Renewable energy sources should reduce greenhouse gases to the maximum. Recycling of e-waste should be encouraged, he said.

The Chief Minister released the greenhouse gas inventory report, launched the Kerala green house gas web portal, and gave away the ‘Paristhithimitram’ awards.

Mr. Vijayan planted a ‘Chembarathi Varikka’ jackfruit sapling to inaugurate the Agriculture department’s ward-level fruit tree sapling project at Cliff House. Agriculture Minister P. Prasad planted a custard apple sapling, V.K. Prasanth, MLA, planted a Thailand rose apple sapling, Mr. Vijayan’s wife Kamala planted a guava sapling, and his grandson Ishan a Kottukonam mango sapling.