123 villages will not be demarcated afresh

NEW DELHI: Central Environment and Forest ministry has decided against fresh demarcation of 123 villages that come under Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) as per Kasturirangan report. On the other hand, some concessions will be given, on which a decision will be taken on Monday.

According to the report, 12,477 sq km area comes under ESA. Out of that Kerala had sought concessions for 2550 sq km. Though Centre will not consider this fact immediately, it will give concessions to human habitats, paddy fields, cardamom plantations and hospitals. Houses adjacent to forest lands will not get any concession. And, in all these places, Centre’s special permission will have to be sought for any kind of land deals.

A new office memorandum from the ministry, pointing out all these clauses, will be out soon.

No comments: