Centre seeks clarification on Kasturirangan report

The Centre has sought clarification regarding the state government’s decision to reject the recommendations of the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats, Forest Minister Ramanath Rai informed the Legislative Council on Wednesday.

In a written reply to Ivan D’Souza (Cong), Rai said the state in April this year had conveyed to the Centre that it had rejected the recommendations. In  February this year, Ministry of Environment and Forest sought objections from the state on declaration of 20,668 sq km in the Western Ghats in the state as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESAs). The decision was taken based on feedback from villages classified as ESAs. The villages did not want the recommendations to be implemented as they will hamper livelihood.