Thiruvananthapuram : In the case relating to the one-km buffer zone around eco-sensitive mandated by Supreme Court verdict, the State Government will present to the court the relevant hardships faced by people, even before the case comes to be considered in the court.
The government will seek more time in preparing of the final report, one that will take into account people’s grievances regarding the potential buffer-zone implementation.
A high-level chaired by the Chief Minster is being held during the day. Attendees include ministers of Revenue Forest and Local Self-government. Also participating are : the Chief Secretary and senior officials.
The meeting will make decision to complete the field survey shortly, after first addressing anxieties with regard to the Satellite Survey. The concerns of residents in hilly stretches too shall be resolved. Meanwhile, there is conscious effort from some quarters to cause misunderstanding of buffer zone with view to political gains. The meeting will thus also deliberate on how to reach the right perspective on the subject to the larger public. The Supreme court asked for Expert Committee report within 30 days. The case will likely be taken up on 11 January.
An independent committee headed by Justice Thattathil Radhakrishnan - appointed by the govt to give its report – is also conducting its meeting on Tuesday. There will be a decision at the meeting for gathering information on all structures in the potential purview of buffer-zone , including field survey and also to record grievances of residents living there.
It is mooted to extend the term of the committee for two more months, including 15 days to hear out people’s complaint and preparation of the full report.
The government is considering to ask more time for submission of report - one that will also take satellite images for a basis. That the other states are yet to file their reports is a favourable factor for Kerala in this regard.
