BENGALURU
The Hindu, August 5, 2015
The Hindu, August 5, 2015
The Centre has agreed to sanction the Western Ghats
Development Institute to Karnataka for conservation of the ecologically
sensitive areas of Western Ghats in six States.
The
institute would be set up on 117 acres at Chakra in Shivamogga district
for undertaking research and management of the Western Ghats, one of the
eight biodiversity hotspots in the world.
Forest
Minister B. Ramanath Rai, who submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking
sanctioning of the institute, told presspersons that the Centre would
grant funds for monitoring and managing the eco system and expand green
areas’ growth in the region.
The institute would
take up environment management with the active participation of locals,
Mr. Rai said and termed as ‘rubbish’ the allegation made by BJP MP
Shobha Karandlaje that the State Government has not given its comments
on the K. Kasturirangan report on conservation of Western Ghats to the
Centre. The State had given its comment on the report on April 24, 2015,
he said. All States, including Kerala and Maharashtra, have copied the
State’s comments in their reports, he claimed.
The
State Government has agreed to a complete ban on mining in the area.
However, it has demanded regulation of sand mining and quarrying to meet
local development needs. The State has also opposed establishment of
new thermal and hydro power projects, and favoured regulation of
construction of hospitals and other public utilities. As large number of
temples existed in the region, the government wanted reasonable
restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles.
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