The State government should press the Central Government to exclude 135 villages on Western Ghats that would be brought under the proposed Eco Sensitive Zone of Western Ghats, recommended by Kasturi Rangan Committee, keeping in mind livelihood of thousands of tribal and rural people, said P. Shanmugam, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association.
Talking to press persons here on Wednesday, he said the 135 villages in Coimbatore, Dindigul, Theni, Tirunelveli, Virudhu Nagar and Kanyakumari districts will be affected.
November 3 was the last date for giving feedback on the recommendations of the Kasturi Rangan committee. The Centre issued this notification in September.
The Central government should extend the deadline for two more months to enable all to give their feedback.
The association will campaign in all 135 villages in the State explaining ill effects of the ESZ proposal on December 15 and 16.
If the government refused to oblige, the association members, along with other like-minded associations, will stage a demonstration at block level in the State on December 19.
The State government should follow the footsteps of Kerala and press the Centre to exclude 135 villages from the proposed ESZ, he appealed. Several villages were excluded from the ESZ in Kerala owing to vociferous protests by the government.
The Tamil Nadu Government should come out with its stand on ESZ to the public.
If these villages were brought under ESZ, no drought relief works and tribal welfare programmes could be executed at these villages and all livelihood activities of the tribal people would be wiped out, he cautioned.
