Plan to levy EMC on Papikondalu boats from December 1

RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: The Forest Department is set to launch the Clean Papikondalu National Park mission, introducing Environment Maintenance Charges to curb pollution and fund conservation efforts. Checkposts will be set up at strategic locations within Papikondalu National Park to collect these charges, in line with Supreme Court guidelines and National Green Tribunal directives. A fee of `2,500 will be charged per boat trip for seats counts below 50, `4,000 for boats carrying fewer than 100 passengers, and `6,000 for boats ferrying 100 passengers or more. Of the 40 boats operating in the area, including two tourist vessels, each will pay EMC based on its capacity.