Buffer zone: SC allows Kerala govt's revision petition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Supreme Court has allowed a review petition filed by the state government against the ruling that there should be a mandatory buffer zone of one kilometre around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

The state government had filed a review petition and the central government had filed a modification petition against the judgment dated June 3, 2022. Kerala demanded to completely exclude residential areas from the buffer zone, citing the special circumstances of the state.

On 26 April 2023, the Supreme Court re-examined the matter. The court held that the one-km limit requirement does not apply to the draft notifications and final notifications submitted earlier by the states to the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment,

As the review petition of the state was allowed, the draft notification can be prepared for the areas which have expired and the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment has requested for submission of revised draft notifications. The Supreme Court has also clarified that only quarries, mines and big industries will be controlled by the rule.

Minister A. K. Saseendran said that the Supreme Court verdict is the result of the sincerity and hard work of the state government, which stood with the people's sentiments. The minister also said that the buffer zone issue since 2002 has been resolved.