THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government on Wednesday decided to increase punishment and penalty for those who pollute water resources across the state.
The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Cabinet also decided to bring an ordinance to make required amendments to The Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act.
It requested Governor P. Sathasivam to promulgate the ordinance. It approved a draft bill which prescribes punishment of three years imprisonment or Rs 2 lakh fine or both to those who are found guilty of polluting water sources.
At the moment, the offenders are liable for imprisonment up to one year and a fine ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000.
The decision comes in the wake of growing instances of dumping of waste into lakes, rivers, streams and ponds polluting water at an alarming rate. Drinking water and other water resources are being contaminated by dumping waste from markets, commercial establishments, abattoirs and poultry farms, especially from places where there is no mechanism for waste disposal.
Top priority has been given to water conservation under the Haritha Keralam Mission. The increasing pollution of water sources, reclamation of ponds and lakes, dwindling rainfall because of climatic changes, entire rain waterflowing straight into the sea rain and sand mining in rivers have created a grave situation in the state.
According to estimates, by 2030 the state would require 64 per cent more water than the current level of consumption and in three decades the demand for drinking water would go up by 29 per cent and requirement of water for irrigation by 81 per cent.
The Mission has taken up the humungous task of conservation of water sources, prevention of wastage of water, rain water harvesting schemes and conservation and protection of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. Under the mission, efforts will be made to conserve and protect 44 rivers, 50,000 ponds and 60,000 wells, lakes and streams.
