The state action plan on climate change is likely to be implemented through the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (DSTE) in coordination with 25 participatory departments.
Sources said that the draft plan had already been made and had been submitted for the Cabinet’s approval and other necessary clearances.
Once the final nod is received, steps would be taken to implement the nearly 83 targets under various missions in solar power, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, agriculture, water and strategic knowledge, and green Puducherry.
The DSTE Annual report 2012-2013 was released by Minister T Thiagarajan in the presence of G Nehru, MLA , Dr S Sundaravadivelu, Special Secretary (DSTE), and M Dwarakanath, Director (DSTE), during a World Environment Day function on Wednesday. As per the DSTE report 2012-2013, the state action plan had been formulated on the lines of National Action Plan and DSTE was the nodal agency to prepare the draft plan.
Speaking on the sidelines of the function, Dwarakanath said preliminary discussions were on to establish an ISRO gallery at the Sub-Regional Science Centre-cum-Planetarium, the construction of which is nearing completion. The ISRO gallery, if materialised, would be set up in the 50-seater planetarium.
Dwarakanath revealed that the department would be aiming at zero waste discharge from institutions in the near future by making them manage the waste materials within their campus.
As per the report, the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee, one of the divisions of the DSTE, had issued directions to private medical colleges and hospitals at Pillaiyarkuppam, Kanagachettikulam and Karaikal for non-compliance with Water Act. Directions had also been issued to 45 health care facilities for non-compliance (non-submission of reports) under Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Six government hospitals, seven private medical colleges, 40 pvt hospital and 48 laboratories had entered into an agreement with common bio-medical waste treatment facility at Thuthipet for disposal of expired medicines and sludge.
Even the Puducherry Coastal Zone Management Authority, another division of DSTE, had stopped the construction of a private hotel at Dumas Street following a notice of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations.