Fight against report on Western Ghats: Ex-MLC

There is a need to fight against the implementation of the Kasturirangan report on the conservation of Western Ghats, said former MLC A K Subbaiah.

Briefing media persons here on Wednesday, he said the State government had filed its objections to the recommendations of the Kasturirangan report. It was the Central government which took a final decision. MP Prathap Simha should pressure the Centre to take a decision in favour of the people. By passing the buck on the State government, the MP should not discharge himself from the responsibility. Why can’t the MP file an objection on the problems to be faced by the people if the recommendations were implemented, he asked.

Subbaiah said the ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ) should be restricted to the forest and it should not be extended to private land. There is a need to pass an amendment to Environment Impact Assessment notification of 2006. The notification issued by the Centre on the Kasturirangan report should be withdrawn, he added.

The confusion surrounding the exemption to possess firearms was not necessary. The term “Coorg race” in Indian Arms Act 1959 is not restricted to one caste. It includes all the traditional dwellers of Kodagu, he said.