A meeting of the District Environment Committee, chaired by District Collector Arvind Kumar Poswal, was held today to discuss various environmental actions. Key officials present included Municipal Commissioner Ramprakash, UDA Commissioner Rahul Jain, and Deputy Conservator of Forests Ajay Chittora.

Action Against Single-Use Plastic  

The committee emphasized the urgent need to combat single-use plastic for environmental protection. Fines will be imposed on distributors of single-use plastic, with implementation expected within two to three days.

Cleanliness Drive Initiatives

Collector Poswal reviewed the progress of cleanliness directives from the previous meeting. He highlighted the necessity of maintaining cleanliness at tourist spots and proposed placing awareness stickers at designated locations. In response to the accumulation of coconuts, clothes, images, and other items in local lakes during recent festivals, he directed a dedicated cleaning team to address the issue promptly.

Repairs at Neemuch Mata

The Forest Department has been instructed to replace damaged railings along the Neemuch Mata Road with iron railings. The Collector also urged the Forest and Devsthan Departments, along with UDA officials, to explore expansion possibilities for the Neemuch Mata temple premises and prepare a detailed proposal.

Concerns Over Illegal Hill Cutting

The meeting raised concerns about the illegal cutting of hills adjacent to the city and construction approvals granted in eco-sensitive zones. Collector Poswal sought updates on actions taken regarding previous complaints and reiterated that no construction approvals should be granted in sensitive areas.

Addressing Pollution  

Environmental issues discussed included pollution in the Baghdada Sanctuary reservoir and plans for e-rickshaws to be operated by the Municipal Corporation. The Collector inquired about measures taken by the Transport Department to mitigate vehicle pollution and directed officials to take action against unfit vehicles and those over 15 years old.

Awareness Campaigns

Collector Poswal proposed launching awareness campaigns in schools to discourage the use of polythene and plastic among students. He also called for the construction of check dams to prevent marble slurry from flowing into Bada Madar Talab and stressed the need for effective measures to prevent contaminated water from entering the city’s lakes. Additionally, he instructed that notices be issued to clinics and hospitals failing to comply with biomedical waste disposal regulations.