Buffer zone: Kerala to file modification petition in Supreme Court

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will file a modification petition against the Supreme Court verdict order making one-kilometer buffer zone mandatory around wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. A high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, tasked the Advocate General to examine the possibility of legislation for the state. The decision was taken at a meeting called to discuss the follow-up action to be taken in connection with the Supreme Court order.

The notification proposal submitted by the state government earlier to the central government requesting to redefine the environmental sensitive zone by exempting the populated areas should be submitted to the Central Empowered Committee within a week. The Chief Minister directed the Principal Chief Conservator, Forests, to submit the details of existing buildings and construction activities in the ecologically sensitive zone as directed by the Supreme Court and within the time limit fixed by the court. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has been appointed for this purpose.