‘Eco-sensitive areas’ not to affect lives around wildlife sanctuaries

Thiruvananthapuram: Forest and wildlife minister K Raju assured the House that the proposed demarcation of ‘eco-sensitive areas’ around wildlife sanctuaries would not hinder the normal life and agriculture activities of people near the sanctuaries and other forest areas in the state.
Replying to a calling attention motion by C K Saseendran in the assembly, the minister said the proposed eco-sensitive area would be maximum of up to 1km radius from wildlife sanctuary borders. “It would have a radius of 0 to 1km. This would only affect red industries in the area and operation of saw mills would be banned. There would be no hindrance for any other ongoing activities. The proposal in this regard has been submitted to the central government for approval,” Raju said.
In view of the natural calamities the state witnessed in recent years, the government was not in favour of further reducing the size and reach of eco-sensitive cover around wildlife sanctuaries. “The area has been defined following directives from the Supreme Court. The eco-sensitive area is applicable only to places around wildlife sanctuaries. Government is ready to convene a meeting of MLAs to clear doubts and allay fears on the formulation of eco-sensitive areas,” K Raju said. tnn