New green areas with Central funds for city

Chennai: New urban green areas will be created in Chennai using Central funds. The state capital, with its record of water scarcity, needs to protect its 800 hectare marshland and adjoining green spaces, Union minister of environment and forests Prakash Javadekar said on Saturday. After interacting with state forest department officials, led by secretary Hansraj Verma, on creating urban green spaces in Greater Chennai, the minister urged foresters to clear encroachments in protected areas. Tamil Nadu had been asked to furnish details of marshlands, green spaces and reserves that had to be covered under the Central projects, he said.

The government had introduced the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill in the Lok Sabha. Nearly Rs 38,000 crore was available with the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority. The sum remained unspent for years. This will be used to create urban spaces in metro cities, he said.

Pointing out that fresh air is a birth right, Javadekar said  there was a need for more greening projects. Public and corporate firms should come forward in creating new open spaces and gardens. Under the new green projects aimed in Chennai, rainwater harvesting will be planned and there is a need for protecting wetlands and its migratory birds, he said.

To a query on the proposed neutrino project, he said, “We will abide by the rules and regulation. Environment clearances issued by certified organisations would alone be considered”, he said.
On the state BJP unit’s request for reviving the banned 'jallikattu’ (taming of bulls), the minister said the issue was under legal scrutiny.