IDUKKI: The LDF has called for a hartal in Idukki on Friday against the Supreme Court order on Eco-sensitive zones. LDF Idukki district secretary K K Sivaraman said that protests will be held at various centres on tomorrow evening. Sivaraman said the strike would continue till the Supreme Court withdraws the order.

Meanwhile, the UDF also declared a hartal as part of protests against the order. The UDF has announced a hartal on June 16. Both the parties demanded that the Central Government should take immediate action on the issue.

The SC order states that every protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary across the country should have a mandatory eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of minimum one-km starting from their demarcated boundaries. No development or construction work can be done in this area. But state government has given permission for construction works as per the speciality of the area. The government will have to account for all this to the Supreme Court. Criticism is likely to rise if pattayam is given for the land. Migrant farmers are also concerned about the court order.

But Kerala has decided to legally move against the order. 'The government's stand is that populated areas should be excluded. Setting the radius might cause problems. At least those who are currently residing there should have the opportunity to continue. Further steps will be taken in consultation with the Chief Minister', said Forest Minister AK Saseendran. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also said that the government would approach the Supreme Court and the Central Government to protect the interests of people on this matter.