`States views will be key on demarcating eco zones'
Vishwa Mohan
New Delhi:
The Centre on Monday assured MPs from the Western Ghats region that the notification on `ecologically sensitive area' (ESA) will incorporate suggestions of all six states in the earmarked zone and `no go' area restrictions will not affect basic economic activities, including agriculture and plantation.
A dominant view within the environment ministry favours banning only big miningconstruction activities and highly polluting industries within the `ecologically sensitive area' (ESA), which is expected to be notified by the end of August.
The assurance on “pro-environment and pro-people“ move on ESA was conveyed to the MPs by environment and forests minister Prakash Javadekar during a special meeting on Monday . The Centre, however, will call one more meeting of MPs from the region next week before taking a final decision on the extent of the ESA and permit ed economic activities.
“Twenty-two MPs expressed their opinions in the meeting and many others submitted their concerns in writing. This is a democratic exercise which we are carry ng out. We will take a final call after considering suggestions of all the states,“ Javadekar said.
MPs from various parties, ncluding Union minister Anant Geete of the Shiv Sena and Shashi Tharoor of Congress, were among those pre sent in the meeting. Tharoor, however, walked out as soon as he heard that 25 members of his party were suspended from the Lok Sabha.
Javadekar said the states of Kerala and Goa submitted their reports (based on physical demarcation and verifica tion exercise on the ground) to the ministry on Monday .
“Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat will submit their reports in the next two-three days,“ the minister said.
