MLA opposes eco-sensitive zones

The declaration would render hundreds o tribals homeless, the MLA said. At a press meet held on Saturday, he said the government has declared 29 villages in Hunsur region as eco-sensitive zones.

The Central government has acted unilaterally without consultation with local bodies like grama sabhas and grama panchayat and elected representatives.

A ploy
“The decision of the government is an outcome of a ploy by the forest department officials to extend their authority outside forest. It would render thousands of villagers and tribals living in the villages located in the fringes of forests homeless. A majority of these villagers are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood,” he said.

He accused the forest department officials of failing to protect and preserve the forest area.

Agitation
“In order to conceal their failure, the authorities have worked on such proposals,” he said and added that the villagers and tribals would launch an indefinite agitation if the government did not withdraw the notification.