Thiruvananthapuram : The Chief Minister on Thursday directed Advocate General to file a modification petition against Supreme Court order in the context of buffer zone along protected forest reserves. The decision came about at a high-level meeting convened by CM to discuss impact of SC directive on human settlements, that requires govt to reserve 1 km buffer zone as eco-sensitive regions around forests.
Decisons : The notification proposed to the Centre, seeking to redefine buffer zone by excluding populated stretches, should be forwarded to the Central Empowered Committee in a week’s time. Also, CM directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest to submit to Supreme Court within deadline the data and information on houses and construction activities in the potential buffer zone.
The Central govt and the Empowered Committee shall be informed of the special circumstance prevalent in Kerala. The State Minister for forest, Chief Secretary, Wildlife Warden and Forest Secretary are all part of the Committee.
Attendees at the meeting included Minister for Forest AK Saseendran, Chief Secretary Dr. VP Joy, Adv General K. Gopalkrishnan Kurup, Principal Secretary(Forest) Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Chief of Forest Dept Bennchan Thomas and Chief Wild Life Warden Gnga Singh.
