An appeal to political aprties of Andrapradesh

To

All political parties of Andra Pradesh

I, M.Vijayaram, the under signed request all political parties of Andrapradesh to include below points in your election manifesto in view of up coming Assembly elections during 2009.

1. In order to implement programs on environment protection and water conservation, a special ministry must be created at the state level. Like the way it is being done in the developed countries, the government must bring environment protection to the top of the list of its development programs
2. We have a national level master plan developed 30 years ago on the development and conservation of forests. The plan targets that 33 per cent of the ground be covered by forests. However, even today, we still have only 23 per cent of the ground covered by forests. Had the plan been executed, the situation would not be as it is now. The department of forests must be strengthened and empowered at least now. The revenue generated from forests must be utilized only for the conservation and development of forests. The department of forests must support all the organizations and individuals striving for the cause by distributing saplings and plants free of cost.
3. If AIDS kills people one person at a time, natural disasters caused by environmental pollution kill people in the thousands and lakhs at a time. Hence, the fact that environmental pollution has much worse impact on mankind than AIDS, must be well publicized and its awareness must be brought to the people as well.
4. The government must immediately declare environmental emergency. As part of environment protection and water conservation programs de-silting of lakes and digging of water pits must be taken up on war-footing. The government must make it mandatory for the people to participate in such programs. Those causing harm to the environment must be treated as offenders and must be punished appropriately.
5. All the existing lakes must be declared as protected areas by the government. Any offenders filling the lakes and making constructions over them must be punished.
6. The government must make it compulsory for owners of plots 250 Sq. yards or more to have water pits dug in their plots. The current G.O. in effect must be enforced strictly.
7. The Walta law, which was brought into effect to control indiscriminate use of ground water resources, must be publicized and enforced strictly.
8. It is known from the experience of several countries that involving children in the environmental protection programs yields excellent results. Every school must appoint drawing / art teachers, who can impart knowledge and training on environment protection by pictorially showing the ill-effects of air, water and ground pollution. The subject, Environment Education, which is a part of the current school curriculum, must carry marks and the students must be required to pass the exam on the subject.
9. There used to be craft teachers 20 years ago. They would teach and get the children to do practicals on gardening, cleanliness & hygiene, water conservation, weaving etc. This methodology must be re-introduced into schools so that the students will be encouraged to be environmentally conscious.
10. The government must require all the public and private organizations to spend at least a few hours a week towards activities concerning environmental protection and water conservation. Documentaries on environmental protection must be screened in movie theatres and other places so that the message reaches a larger audience.


Yours sincerely,

Vijayaram