Mangaluru: The government is planning to implement the ‘Green Building Incentive policy’ in order to promote rainwater harvesting in houses and private buildings, said the Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister and State Minister for Urban Development and Housing U T Khader.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a workshop on rainwater harvesting organised at the Nethravathi Auditorium in the Zilla Panchayat building on Wednesday, June 19, Khader said, “Rainwater harvesting will be made mandatory for those houses built on 30 X 40 sq ft land. Meanwhile, those who install rainwater harvesting system in their buildings will be provided concession in tax also, under the proposed ‘Green Building Incentive Policy.’ There is also a plan to take stringent action against those who do not follow this rule.”
Khader also informed that measures would be taken by the government to increase green cover and wastewater treatment plants in different parts of the state.
Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath said that he had already taken the initiative to install rainwater harvesting system in his house. “Before asking others to install rainwater harvesting system in their houses, I decided to practise it in my house first. As it is inevitable to find alternative drinking water sources these days, everyone should opt for rainwater harvesting system”, he stressed.
Prior to the programme, Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Raghu Alanahalli enlightened the gathering on the importance of rainwater harvesting.
It is shameful to depend on tankers for drinking water needs: Shree Padre
Eminent rainwater harvesting exponent Shree Padre asked people to be very serious about rainwater and its conservation. “Though Dakshina Kannada district has been receiving around 3500 mm rainfall annually, it is shameful that we are forced to depend on tankers for drinking water. If every family is ready to install rainwater harvesting system in their houses, the district will never have drinking water problems”, he opined.
