The state government is all set to introduce an ordinance to give more teeth for environmental protection,? according to Minister for Ports and Excise K Babu. The government will also come up with a Rs 64-crore comprehensive package for creating environmental awareness among the people and finding solutions to issues of waste management.

He was speaking at an interactive session with representatives of industries and other establishments, organised as part of the Green Kochi campaign by The New Indian Express in Kochi on Monday. The campaign is being held in association with the Kochi Corporation and the state Forest Department with an aim to make Kochi environment-friendly.

The government was? planning to pass an ordinance to? bring up a? strict and comprehensive law on environmental protection. But we were unable to do so owing to the situation that prevailed in the Assembly. But we are hoping to make it a reality soon, he said. Environmental protection and waste management are some of the key priorities of the present government, he added. The minister added that the government would soon launch a project specifically looking at environmental protection. Other than? creating environmental awareness, the project will also focus on import of machinery.
Funds for the purpose will be distributed to respective local bodies so that they can take up projects which are specific to environmental protection. The? project will be undertaken under the Ministry of Urban Affairs.

Kochi Corporation Mayor Tony Chammany, Hibi Eden MLA, Deputy Mayor B Bhadra, Opposition Leader K J Jacob and former Mayor Mercy Williams also attended.