THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC president K Sudhakaran has lashed out at the state government over the buffer zone issue. He said that the report prepared by the State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre through the satellite survey is incomplete and raises concerns.

"It is objectionable that such a short period of time has been allowed to hear and resolve the complaints regarding the unscientific satellite survey involving more populated areas. A report regarding the buffer zone limit should be prepared by forming Panchayat-level expert committees in the eco-sensitive area and conducting ground surveys and studies. The buffer zone limit can only be accurately understood by marking the ground and recording the markings," Sudhakaran said.

"Boundaries are difficult to distinguish because survey numbers were entered into the report rather than place names or other plainly understandable markings. Therefore, the Forest Minister is deceiving the people by claiming that any complaints submitted to the expert committee regarding the satellite survey report will be investigated physically on the site with the cooperation of the local self-government department" he said.

"The LDF and the government are adopting a pro-buffer zone stance by deceiving the people of the hilly areas. The cabinet decision on 23 October 2019 is an example of this. The Kerala Forest Department has made a serious lapse in complying with the Supreme Court directive to prepare a list of land use, populated areas, agricultural land, industries, their nature, and commercial and public buildings around the protected area. Non-preparation of such a report by the state government has further complicated the issues," he added.