The Hindu : Front Page : Forest mafia will be busted, says Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Forest mafia will be busted, says Minister

Special Correspondent

Says housing schemes for the poor will be revived

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Forest Minister Benoy Viswom said in the Assembly on Tuesday that the Forest Department would be freed from the `forest mafia.'

Replying to a debate on the demands for grants for Forests and Housing, the Minister said that powerful lobbies had been controlling the functioning of the Forest Department for some time. This had changed and the seizure of 1,000 kg of sandalwood was an evidence for that.

Mr. Viswom said a peacock sanctuary would be set up at Choorannur, which was known for the presence of peacocks. The Government had also taken decision on creating a buffer zone for the Silent Valley National Park.

He said that the Forest Department and the Fisheries Department would be launching the proposed programme for creating a bioshield against rough waves and tsunami along the coast of Kerala on November 1.

The department proposed the creation of eight lakh mandays of employment during the year. The number of eco-tourism projects in the State would be increased from 16 to 21.

The forest policy, under preparation, would ensure the participation of the people in forest conservation. Traditional bamboo workers and tribals would be given bamboo at concessional rates.

He said the concerns of settlers would be taken up with the Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court.

The Minister said that the Government was trying to solve the financial crisis in the Kerala State Housing Board and revive the housing schemes for the poor. The new housing policy would aim for shelter for all with public participation.

He reiterated that the State Government was willing for a probe by an Assembly committee into the working of the board during the past 15 years, if the Opposition agreed with the proposals. The Government did not share the Opposition view that such an inquiry was not needed because the Public Accounts Committee and Public Undertakings Committee had already gone into the issues.

After the Minister's reply, the House passed the demands for grants totalling Rs.124.68 crore.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page