National Green Cops (NGC) district coordinator S. Guruvayurappan urged the local self-governing institutions to plan all projects keeping environment-friendly development in mind.
Addressing a seminar organized by the Chittur-Tattamangalam municipality, he made a series of recommendations that would be binding on all local bodies.
It proposed that each local authority set aside one-third of its land for biodiversity and habitat conservation, using existing conservation areas and other barren, fallow, private or under-utilized government land.
Road development should include planting of trees, medicinal plants and shrubs that will benefit the public without causing disturbance. Proper soil testing can ensure the longevity of roads while reducing the need for stone, sand and bitumen, he said.
A village with zero waste
Projects should focus on zero-waste villages, provide households with cloth bags and train students in environmentally friendly practices. Organic waste can be turned into compost or biogas, while inorganic waste should be reused or collected. According to him, strict measures and fines should control littering on the roads.
Mr. Guruvayurappan underlined the promotion of organic farming, mixed cropping, home gardening and fruit or medicinal gardens with incentives and recognition to promote production of healthy food without chemicals.
Small forests and green spaces should be created in houses, gardens, farms and public spaces to protect local flora and fauna. Indigenous trees like karimpana and sandalwood should be protected along with initiatives like sacred groves, medicinal and butterfly gardens, riverside plantations and eco-tourism.
He said employment programs should support village and urban forestry, agriculture and environmental protection, while households deal with sewage treatment and rainwater harvesting. Local governments should also provide environmental education as a civic duty and promote an ecological way of life, he said.
Published – 23 Feb 2026 21:08 IST
