No more environmental degradation should be allowed in Ooty: Collector

Nilgiris collector J Innocent Divya has been bestowed with ‘Green Award-2018’ by the state government. The award was presented to her by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami in Chennai on Thursday. Divya in chat with Shantha Thiagarajan:
What were your priorities when you took charge as the collector of the Nilgiris?
When I took charge, one thing that occurred first to me was environmental conservation. I knew that this would be the greatest challenge I would face as the collector.
What were the measures you took in the district to conserve environment…?
Right now, we have banned sinking borewells and using earthmovers. We have banned plastics which Supriya Sahu had introduced during her tenure here as collector. But over the years, its momentum has slowed down. We have now implemented it seriously.
What do you think of the ‘Green Award’ bestowed on you by the government?
I indeed dedicate the award to the people of the Nilgiris. With so much of involvement and cooperation, the people made it happen. Because an order is easy to pass but the people’s participation in this task is tremendous. Without their active support and cooperation, I don’t think this would have become possible at all. I think the sense of belonging of the people here matters a lot.
About the transformation in the Nilgiris….
The transformation we see in the district is because of the people. We pass an order and enforce it. The entire cooperation comes from the people. The only thing that I have in my mind is no further degradation should be allowed in the hills during my tenure
What next for the Nilgiris..?
Higher-level planning needs to be there. It should be different from other hill stations. A special status should be there about its fragile ecosystem. I have realized that given its significance, the Nilgiris cannot have the same conservation plans that other hill stations have
You mean fresh policies to be enacted…?
Policy is in place. For example, in a place where the gradient is more than 33 degrees, constructions should not happen. But still people manipulate the gradient or the identified vulnerable areas and apply for building license. If the applications are rejected, they might go for unauthorized constructions. Manpower here is limited to check illegal constructions. But we try our level best to maintain that discipline here. With revenue and forest departments, may be, a force could be created to check illegal constructions.