Kasturirangan report: Expert panel public hearing tomorrow

As people of Kodagu have strongly opposed Kasturirangan report on the protection of Western Ghat, a state-level expert team would arrive at Madikeri to listen to the woes of public, on November 28.

Meanwhile, under the banner of Kasturirangan Varadi Virodi Samiti, various organisations have planned protest during the visit of the committee.

State-level expert committee Member Brijeshkumar Deekshit and Vipin Sing will arrive at Madikeri and hear the public grievances at Fort mini hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office at 3 pm. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Brijesh Kumar Deekshit said: “We will receive complaints regarding of Environmental Sensitive Zone. People are free to express their opinions and we would submit their version to the government.” Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari said that this is an opportunity for the public to express their opinion on the issue with the state-level team. Support or opposition, whatever it may be, it is better to give in written format, he suggested. “The video of the whole meeting will be sent to the government. People should maintain peace, one can not create chaos. Security will be tightened ,” he said.

Recommendations

The Kasturirangan report has suggested bringing 53 villages of Kodagu district under Environmental Sensitive Zone tag. It has recommended various actions including prohibition on mining, industrialisation, control over development works, preventing use of chemicals in farming and many other. In the committee report, 1,550 villages of different districts were identified as environmental sensitive zones.

Various organisations have been conducting protest against the report till date. It may be recalled that the Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayats and gram panchayats have passed resolutions against the  report.
DH News Service