karnataka The government is preparing to impose a green tax on water bills. The government has taken this decision to address the shortage of funds for the conservation of the Western Ghats. The Karnataka government is considering imposing a monthly “green tax” of Rs 2-3 on the water bills of all corporations and municipalities supplied with drinking water from rivers originating in the Western Ghats. Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre on Wednesday directed Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Ecology to submit the proposal within a week.
Work will be carried out in the Western Ghats.
The Forest Minister plans to use this amount to help projects like improving security and greenery of the Western Ghats, purchasing agricultural land to create animal corridors and installing railway barricades for animal safety. The Forest Minister states in the letter that the amount collected will be entirely reserved for the conservation of the Western Ghats. In a letter to ACS, the minister said, “The Western Ghats of Karnataka are home to the rivers Tunga, Bhadra, Kaveri, Kabini, Hemavati, Krishna, Malaprabha and Ghataprabha. We supply drinking water from these rivers to many cities and towns.” “They will only be able to meet our future water needs if we protect their catchment areas along the Western Ghats.”
It will be implemented as soon as possible.
The minister argued that even a small tax of Rs 2-3 could raise significant funds for conservation and protection of ecologically sensitive ghats. “This small amount can help create awareness among people about the role of Ghats in our lives and inculcate responsibility towards environment protection,” he said. After receiving the proposal from the departmental secretary within a week, it will be sent to the government for approval. The Forest Minister plans to implement the green cess as soon as possible.
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