Kasturirangan: Draft notification released

NEW DELHI: Union Ministry of Forests and Environment released the draft notification on the Kasturirangan report in connection with the conservation of the Western Ghats. The report has not mentioned anything about the ecologically sensitive areas but is likely to be included in the final notification. The people can express their opinion on the report within 60 days and the final notification will be released after considering it.

The ecologically sensitive area spread over an area of 13,108 sq kilometer in the Kasturirangan report has been reduced to 9993.7 sq km in the draft notification. Out of that, 9107 sq km is forest area and 887.6 sq km of non-forest area.

Mining, quarrying and sand mining in ecologically sensitive areas have been banned. All existing mines shall be phased out within five years. No new thermal power projects and expansion of existing plants shall be allowed in the ecologically sensitive area.  Building construction and townships will be prohibited. New hydropower projects shall be allowed as per the environment impact assessment notification.

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