Coimbatore: Efforts are under way to make Coimbatore a carbon neutral district before 2050, minister for environment and climate change Siva V Meyyanathan said here on Saturday.
The minister inaugurated a workshop titled ‘Carbon Neutral Coimbatore’ organised by Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company jointly with the district administration at a private hotel in the city.
Talking to reporters, Meyyanathan said Coimbatore will be the first district in Tamil Nadu to achieve carbon neutral status. “The electricity department, transport and industry are the major contributors to carbon emission in the state. Changes should be made to bring down carbon emission in these sectors,” he said,
Earlier, addressing the gathering at the event, the minister said work will also be launched in Rameswaram and Rajapalayam municipalities to achieve carbon neutral status. “Rajapalayam, in the foothills of the Western Ghats, will witness intensive tree plantation drives to improve green cover. Rameswaram, one of the preferred tourist destinations, will also see activities to improve carbon neutrality. Kanyakumari also will be taken up in this cause.”
Meanwhile, a study is under way to check carbon emission status in delta districts such as Nagapattinam, Mayiladurai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Thiruvarur. The districts are less industrialized and are known for agricultural activities.
“Tamil Nadu is spread across 1.31 lakh square kilometres, out of which forest cover is only 29,000 sqkm. In order to achieve 33% forest cover, it should be increased to 42,000 sqkm. As many as three crore trees were planted last year and we plan to increase it to 10 crore this year,” the minister said.
“Industries in Coimbatore, which have been categorized under the red category by the pollution control department, should grow at least 100 trees. We should take a vow not to use plastic bags and only use cloth bags,” he added.
Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, environment, climate change and forests, government of Tamil Nadu, said that of the 4.89 million tonnes of carbon emission recorded in Coimbatore in 2015, transport and industry sectors contributed 40% and 30% respectively. “While Coimbatore is already a leader in industries, it is important to reach sustainability to stay on the growth trajectory as development cannot happen if all resources are exhausted. Focus should be on electric vehicles, cycling and creating lung spaces,” she said.
Manjappai vending machines that dispense a cloth bag for 10 were launched in the event. A book named Climate Change Glossary, consisting of Tamil words pertaining to climate change, was released.
