Centre will file review plea in SC over eco-sensitive zone: Union minister Bhupender Yadav

THEKKADY (IDUKKI): The central government and ministry will file a review petition in the Supreme Court over its order to maintain a 1km eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around protected forests, said Bhupender Yadav, Union minister for environment, forest and climate change.
Inaugurating World Elephant Day function at Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady on Friday, he said, "Our ministry and government will file a review petition especially to revisit Section 44 (A) and 44 (E) of the SC judgment."
"So, there are some things which must be cleared by the court...matter is sub-judice...but I assure you that we will file a review petition. We are able to convince the court about the genuineness, about the validity and about the ground situation, which is coming about the reading of the judgment," Yadav said.
The Centre should address the sentiments over environmentally-fragile areas as per Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees, said Yadav. "The Union ministry has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Sanjay Kumar. Many people, including church leaders, approached us about the issue. The committee will definitely consider representations by the people."
The minister announced a new elephant sanctuary at Agastyamala in Tamil Nadu. The minister also said that Periyar Tiger Reserve is a model of rich biodiversity through participatory forest management and community-based ecotourism. "The Centre has amended the Wildlife Protection Act to continue the use of elephants during religious functions," said Yadav
At the function, Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose said that man-animal conflict is a major issue in the district, and in the past ten years, over 40 people were killed in wild elephant attacks.
"The Centre will focus to address man-animal conflict in forest border areas. The ministry has received many complaints from Kerala over the wild pig menace. In 2021, MoEF issued a guideline empowering the chief wildlife warden in Kerala to act to mitigate the wild boar issue. I hope the chief wildlife warden is taking necessary steps," said Yadav.
Minister of state for environment and climate change Ashwini Kumar Choubey was the chief guest at the function.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by Idukki bishop Mar John Nellikkunnel, Kanjirappally bishop Mar Jose Pulikal, Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) deputy secretary Fr Jacob G Palakkappilly and CBCI laity commission secretary V C Sebastian submitted a memorandum to Yadav demanding to ensure the buffer zone in zero kilometre.
Nellikkunnel said, "The minister informed that the state government has not yet withdrawn the 2019 order mandating a 1km buffer zone. The state government should withdraw the order immediately."