'Buffer zone issues will be solved': Congress trying to make political gains using farmer organizations, says Forest Minister

KOZHIKODE: Criticizing the buffer zone strike announcement, forest minister AK Saseendran said that the aerial survey was conducted as per the instructions of the Supreme Court and that the UDF is trying to make political gains by targeting farmers' organizations.

"The government already knew that there would be complaints. Ground level survey is already decided. Satellite surveys provide statistical information only. Satellite survey has widespread problems in some places. Commission sitting will be held in places where there are more complaints. People can express their concerns directly," said the minister.

The Congress is moving to agitate with farmers' organizations demanding direct spot inspection to avoid malpractices. A strike declaration convention will be held at Koorachund, Kozhikode on Tuesday. The state has prepared a satellite survey report to be submitted to the Central Empowered Committee appointed by the Supreme Court on the buffer zone issue. Ten days have been given to submit suggestions or amendments to the report published on Tuesday. But the report contains only the survey numbers of the areas within one kilometer radius of the wildlife sanctuaries. It contains no accurate information of buildings or establishments in residential areas.

There are seven panchayats in the buffer zone within one-kilometer radius of the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Kozhikode district. There are no landmarks like rivers and roads in the satellite survey. It was in this situation that the Congress announced the strike. The Revenue Local Government Departments have also been instructed to carry out site inspections and submit proposals regarding environmentally sensitive areas. The Supreme Court will hear the buffer zone case in early January, before which farmers' organizations have demanded that the process be expedited.