Farmers should be protected while taking any step against environmental degradation in the proposed ecologically significant areas in the Western Ghats in Idukki district, P.T. Thomas, MP, said on Monday.
Mr. Thomas told presspersons in Thodupuzha that an agitation would be launched if the farmers were to be harmed.
He said the designation of such areas was against the farmers' interest, as farming and construction activities would not be allowed in them. Some non-governmental agencies in the field of environment were raising the issue of environmental degradation to harm the farmers.
Black day
The Small-Scale Farmers' Federation, a feeder organisation of the Congress, will observe June 5, World Environment Day, as a black day in the district, Y.C. Stephen, chairman of its district unit, said.
He told presspersons here that the proposed areas would directly affect the farmers in Udumbanchola, Devikulam, and Peerumade taluks. The farmers would be denied title deeds, and construction activities would not be allowed. The federation would launch a strike in the district to protect the rights of farmers and oppose the move to form such areas in agricultural areas.
