KALIMPONG
29 Nov 2013
The
Kalimpong Farmers’ Welfare Association has demanded inclusion of
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik under the central eco-city
project. Association secretary Bishnu Chettri today submitted a
deputation to Deputy Magistrate B Lepcha and requested her to forward it
to Union Forests and Environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan.
The Central Pollution Control Board
grants eco-city status to urban areas that have the potential of
environment promotion. Chettri said the project that was initiated
during the 10th five year plan must include the four towns of the
Darjeeling hills to promote and conserve environment and tourism. Noting
the Darjeeling hills hold a unique place in the state owing to its
topography and rich biodiversity, the association secretary said the
inclusion is also necessary for the structural development of the
region.
“Darjeeling is famous for tourism but is
facing myriad problems. There are scores of issues including lack of
parking, waste management, mismanagement of tourist spots, forests,
water sources and an absence of planned development,” he said, adding
“structural development of this region is possible if the government
includes it in the eco-city scheme”.
Chettri also noted the region’s
municipality bodies are directly responsible for the problems under
their jurisdictions and as such, they too must take initiatives to solve
the issues. (EOIC)
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