A provision of Rs 10 crore has been made for a climate change fund to address various issues arising out of climate change in rural areas, CM Pramod Sawant announced in his budget. Govt will also encourage 100% compostable biodegradable packaging across all industrial sectors, he said.
A provision of Rs 2 crore has been made to set up renewable energy-fuelled cameras in far-off and off-grid areas to keep an eye on littering. Waste management inspectors will also be appointed in designated areas and will be provided incentives to enforce compliance and maintain cleanliness, the CM said.
Govt has earmarked Rs 70 lakh to establish a climate change cell, ‘to support climate-resilient development’.
These programmes will fall under the umbrella of Climate and Disaster Resilient Greener Goa, with an investment of Rs 1,650 crore through a 70:30 funding convergence between central and state govts. An SPV will be created to implement the project efficiently.
Notified wetlands will get funds from a Rs 1 crore provision for the management of water bodies. Rs 1 crore has been allocated to support biodiversity management committees and the Goa State Biodiversity Board has been allotted Rs 1 crore for conservation of salt pans.
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Green energy outlay gets green signal
The CM announced Vigyan for Energy Development and Advancement (VEDA) to encourage youths to enter the renewable energy sector, for which a provision of Rs 2 crore was made. He also announced a green cooking programme at schools, anganwadis and tribal homes with a provision of Rs 10 crore. Panchayats across the state will be given batteries to store 2.2MW solar power to promote clean energy. TNN
