Clean Kochi: Holistic view needed

KOCHI: In order to realise the vision of a clean and green Kochi, we need to think beyond trees and must have a holistic view regarding the current situation, said environmentalist and social activist Geo Jose.“To know where the city stands in terms of environmental conservation, a detailed status report needs to be prepared,” he said. “The environmental issues in Kochi are very different from that of other cities since Kochi lies close to the sea-level and is basically a marshy area. Similarly, each area within the city has unique needs. The report must look into all these factors and suggest practical, customised solutions to the issues. In order to prepare such a report, experts from each field should be included in the team. For example, arborists are experts who have  knowledge about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Another issue to be looked into is that of open spaces. The report should clearly state where such spaces are currently available, where they are needed and also the sensitivity of the area,” added Jose.The level of pollution in the water bodies of the city is very high. “The public sees canals and  water bodies as readily-available dumping grounds for garbage and septic waste. Since no action is taken against those who pollute these water bodies, they continue to be clogged,” Jose said. “The canals are of vital importance to the city. It is said that in olden days, the canals were used for water transport. They are also meant for the rainwater to drain out of the city during monsoon. Nowadays, the canals have become stagnant and during monsoon the rainwater mixes with the contaminated water in the canal and spreads diseases as it spills out.”Pointing out that the encroachments on the sides of the canals are also hindering their flow, Jose said that the corporation must take strong steps to spot and remove those encroachments.