The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has written to States in the Western Ghat region including Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka to conduct physical survey of eco-sensitive areas in the region afresh and submit their proposal for draft notification in two months.
Goa Principal Secretary R. K. Srivatsava told The Hindu on Tuesday that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had met Union Minister for Environment and Forests
Prakash Javadekar and brought to his notice Goa’s opposition to the proposed eco-sensitive areas draft notification of the MoEF. The Ministry has agreed for a review of the issue as suggested by the Chief Minister.
Mr. Srivatsava, however, said that as next two months would be rainy season in Goa, the State will seek more time with the MoEF for conducting physical survey which can at best began in October.
Mr. Parrikar had objected to the draft notification sent by earlier UPA government arguing that Madhav Gadgil committee and the Kasturirangan committee reports had failed to take the interests of and ground realities existing in the States into consideration while submitting lists of eco-sensitive areas in the States.
Detractors of Goa Chief Minister accuse him of objecting to these reports as they have sought ban on mining activities in eco sensitive areas of Western Ghats with immediate effect. Mr. Parrikar denies the charge and argues that if the reports are implemented, Goa's development will come to a grinding halt as very little land will be left for development and also has apprehended that people’s livelihood in these areas would be affected.
