Minister for Forests, B. Ramanatha Rai said that he will oppose T.S.R. Subramaian committee’s report, which has recommended amendments to six acts pertaining to forest and environment.
The report has recommended amendments to Forest Act of 1927, Environment Protection Act of 1986, Forest Conservation Act of 1980, Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, Water ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 and Air(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981.
Speaking here after inaugurating a two-day workshop on “Conservation and Developmental Challenges of Western Ghats in the Neoliberal era” here on Saturday, Mr. Rai said that the report has been prepared keeping in mind the interests of a few people and will benefit only a handful of people.
ADVERTISEMENT
Later, speaking to reporters, he said that the government will spend Rs. 212 crore to cut trenches and erect fence along the boundary of Bannerghatta National Park in Bengaluru, and Nagarahole to prevent elephants from straying into the fields. Apart from Tumakuru, Hassan and Madikeri districts are also facing the elephant problem, he said.