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Support for Water Conservation |
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The bill on AP Water, Land and Trees has been introduced in the recent session of the assembly and it has been referred to the Select Committee. The bill seeks to provide necessary legislative support for the water conservation activities.
The main features of the bill are constitution of Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Tree Authority with powers to impose penalties including seizure of property. Registration of all wells by the users is must. The bill prohibits water pumping in areas likely to cause damage/deterioration to ground water aquifer and protection of over-exploited ground water areas. As per the bill prior permission for sinking of wells for irrigation/drinking purposes within a distance of 200
/ 250 meters from the existing public drinking source. Closure of wells sunk in contravention of provisions of the ordinance.
The bill has been suggesting that construction of rainwater harvesting structures in all residential, commercial and other premises and open spaces in an area not less than 100 square yards and incorporating water harvesting structures as being mandatory for securing approvals of building plans.
As per the bill, measures of prohibition of ground water contamination by industrial and aquaculture waste disposal from being discharged into aquifers and measures for ensuring efficient utilisation of water in watershed areas through watershed committees and in
irrigated command areas through water users associations by training and capacity building.
AP Water, Land and Trees bill has protection of lakes, ponds and tanks by notifying them as heritage bodies and conservation areas and by prevention of dumping of pollutants/wastes. Meanwhile the bill protecting trees from felling without permission, from sheep and goats
by encouraging stall feeding, from felling in fringe areas of forests by promoting non-conventional energy devices.
Compulsory plantation of trees and their maintenance all along highways, canals, water courses etc. as per bill all agriculturists to plant trees in five percent of their land holdings. It imposes curbs on sand mining from water bodies in private and public lands.
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