Further action in buffer zone issue; high-level meeting chaired by CM today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will be convened on Thursday to discuss about further actions to be taken in the buffer zone issue. The meeting, scheduled to be held at 4 pm, will be attended by the forest minister among other officials.

The meeting will also evaluate the progress of the survey, which has already been started to resolve the crisis that may arise in Kerala if the Supreme Court order on the buffer zone issue is fully implemented. The chief minister has called the meeting to discuss about the concerns and possible solutions in the regard.

The Kerala Remote Sensing Agency shall be conducting a survey using satellite images regarding the possible ban and restrictions, on areas within a kilometre radius of wildlife sanctuaries, if the order is implemented. Meantime, Kerala’s decision is to complete the action within three months and approach the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the empowered committee appointed by the Supreme Court. Kerala will also inform about its interventions in forest conservation activities, including being the leading state in the country in terms of forest area.