Kochi: A complete biodiversity register to be prepared

KOCHI: The corporation budget has given prominence for environmental protection. There are many projects for the protection of environment.
Preparation of a complete biodiversity register of the city is one of the proposals. Though the corporation has prepared a namesake biodiversity register at the behest of the state biodiversity board, the register is incomplete.There will be measures to identify green public places in the city and evict encroachments, if any. A master plan for the management of public places in the city will be prepared. Projects will be designed for increasing the green cover in the city. New parks and biodiversity parks will be set up with the support of international and national agencies.
The vast land in the possession of Rice Research Institute at Ponnurunni East hosts many migratory birds and aquatic birds. The roads like Puthiyedath Road and Karupath Road will be renovated with walkways and shade trees planted on the shoulders of these roads. A portion of the land in the possession of the Rice Research Institute will be taken over from the agency with the permission of the state government for setting up a bird sanctuary.
Kerala State Housing Board had plans to set up an exhibition city on the 18 acres adjacent to Mangalavanam, but the construction of the project couldn’t be carried out due to restrictions related to environmental issues. Kochi Biodiversity Park consisting of biodiversity-cum-heritage museum, cafeteria and small signature shops will be set up on the land.
An action plan with the help of various competent agencies will be prepared on the measures for addressing the issues arising out of climate change. The action plan will be implemented in a phased manner. A plan will be prepared for the management and protection of trees in the streets.
Kochi being the first city included in Cities for Forest project in the country, saplings of indigenous trees will be planted in already identified locations at Vaduthala. The land has been identified through a walkathon. Boom barrier system, a floating net which prevents the entry of waste into the shore, will be set up at Fort Kochi beach. Eco zone project, announced in the budget, envisages developing select divisions or wards in the city into model environmental-friendly zones. Clean and environmentally-friendly public places, special consideration for pedestrians and cyclists, reduction of waste at source, decentralized biocompost plants, measures to reduce air and sound pollution, etc, will be there in the model eco zone.