White paper on environment gets cabinet nod

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPI-M led LDF government in Kerala today approved a white paper on environment that lays emphasis on balanced economic and social development while preserving the states bio-diversity.

The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, approved the document that outlined the states approach towards protecting and preserving the environment while striving for economic growth.

"The main objective is to design an environment friendly economic system and government is committed to preserving clean water, soil, air and bio-diversity," an official release said.

Kerala has 44 rivers and most of them were facing various types of pollution, the release said.

Solid waste disposal was a severe problem in the state and government would go ahead with schemes under the Haritha Kerala mission.

Issues connected with solid waste have also affected the availability of drinking water and its supply.

A total of 90,563 solid waste treatment plants have been set up in the state, it said.

Another problem was severe air pollution, the white paper said, adding, air pollution is more in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.

Action plans would be formulated and it would be implemented with peoples co-operation, the government said.