Tamil Nadu is yet to submit its proposal relating to demarcation of ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats, said Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

The Minister said this while addressing the gathering at the silver jubilee celebrations of Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) at Anaikatti. Later, he told reporters that only when the State submits its proposal, the Centre would be able to proceed with the demarcation of ecologically sensitive areas.

When asked about road map on conservation, Mr. Javadekar said that the focus of the Ministry was to get the bill relating to Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) passed in the ensuing session of the Parliament.

Passage of the bill would mean that Rs 40,000 crore funds that remained locked for the last 10 years going to stake holder States. Earlier speaking at the SACON meeting, Mr. Javadekar said Western Ghats bio-diversity hotspot conservation and sustainable development would remain Centre’s priority areas.

On jallikattu

On jallikattu issue, he said the ban was only temporary and the Centre would place its arguments before the Supreme Court.

Source:  The Hindu