Ooty would turn into a desert
Udhagamandalam: The need to impose a ban on using ground water to meet the needs of commercial establishments in this hill station has been stressed by the Public Awareness Association of Udhagamandalam.In a letter to the District Collector, the association secretary, G. Janardhanan, said that usage of borewells to tap underground water is on the rise. He cautioned that if the trend was not checked, in course of time the Nilgiris would turn into a desert.Vehicles transporting equipments to sink borewells should not be allowed to enter the Nilgiris. Lamenting that trees are being felled with impunity, he said that the forest department should come out with a white paper on the action taken to prevent deforestation.While encroachments within the municipal market have not been removed, despite representations the standards of sanitation is far from satisfactory.Appropriate action should be taken against officials concerned. The association suggested that the right to collect entry fees for the two-day Annual Floral Carnival at the Government Botanical should be given to self-help groups or ex-servicemen.Details regarding the Right To Information Act should be displayed in all the offices.A food testing facility should be established here. Government officials should conduct press conferences periodically.Houses should not be converted into lodges.
