The Kerala Government today said it was not in favour of extending the eco-sensitive zone to areas where there are human settlements near national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

“The State would submit its proposals to the Centre on the matter in tune with its concept that it did not want to cause any difficulty to people who have been living in those areas for years,” Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told presspersons during a Cabinet briefing.

However, he said the Government has no objection to extending the ecologically sensitive areas beyond 12 km where there were no human settlements.

The Centre had sought the State’s opinion to extend the width of the eco-sensitive zone’s of 22 centres in the State, he said.

The Government was committed to protect and conserve forests and wildlife. Kerala’s forest cover was much higher than the national average, he said, adding “forest encroachment will be dealt with firmly”.

Chandy said recommendations on both the Madhav Gadgil-led Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel and also the report of the K. Kasturirangan Committee would adversely affect people living in the forest fringe areas, he said.

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