Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government plans to bring forward a new legislation to protect and conserve all rivers and make them free from pollution, Water Resources Minister P J Joseph said on Friday.
The law would have a provision to set up a special river protection force, he said while replying to a calling attention motion of N Jayaraj of Kerala Congress(M) in the assembly on the need to take steps to conserve rivers.
Alternate materials like 'M-SAND' in place of river sand for construction have to be promoted, he said.
Sand mining from all 44 rivers was the biggest problem being faced in the state, he said, adding that it would not be possible to save the rivers unless this practice was stopped.
PTI
First Published: Friday, July 13, 2012, 13:31