Kochi: Asserting that farmers' rights would be protected, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday said he would leave for Delhi on Friday to discuss the Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats conservation with Environment Minister Veerappa Moily.
Chandy, who was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the National e-Governance conference, blamed the media for creating 'fear' among people with regard to implementation of the report. The locals in the hilly areas of Idukki and Kozhikode districts are on a warpath against the report, fearing that it will lead to large-scale displacement and would affect their livelihood.
CPI-M led LDF Opposition had yesterday disrupted proceedings in the assembly in Thiruvananthapuram, seeking a debate on the report, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the house for an hour. LDF members were unhappy over the Centre's assertion before the National Green Tribunal on Jan 28 that the order restricting industrial activities and mining in Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA), as specified by the report, stands.
The opposition alleged it was contrary to the assurance given by the Centre that the report's suggestions would be implemented only after considering the state's views.
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