Mangaluru, June 19, 2019: DK District in-charge Minister U T Khader has said that the State government was contemplating implementing a Green Building Policy with the objective of encouraging rain water harvesting in cities including Mangaluru.
He was speaking after inaugurating an informative programme on Rain Water Harvesting held at the Netravathi Auditorium of Zilla Panchayat on June 19, Wednesday under the aegis of the Zilla Panchayat and Udayavani daily.
Under the proposed policy it would be made mandatory for houses or buildings of 30x40 area to incorporate Rain Water harvesting system and also to plant a minimum number of trees. It is also proposed to offer tax rebates to those who comply with the rule and initiate strict action against those who fail to adhere to the rule, Khader said.
Concrete grounds and interlocks are preventing water percolation, he said adding steps would be taken to promote greenery in a specified area on either sides of the road while laying roads.
MLA Vedavyas Kamath who presided over rhe function, said in order to inspire people he himself has begun the task of percolation of rain water around his house.
Delivering a special lecture about the need for water conservation, eminent rainwater harvesting expert Shree Padre said people of the district have least awareness on the need to conserve water. "People realise the importance of water only when there is a crisis. It is indeed shameful that a region which receives 3500 mm of rainfall annually has to depend on tanker water," he observed.
He said an average family requires 3 lakh litres of water every year. Considering the amount of rainfall the region receives, rain water harvesting if done is suffice to meet the water requirements of a family for a year, he said.
Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, ZP Chief Meenakshi Shantigodu, CREDAI President Naveen Cardoza and others were present.