IDUKKI: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Forest, chaired by former minister Renuka Chaudhary, on Wednesday took a direct account of the impact of deforestation and excessive construction activities on the ecology of Munnar.
The committee members also interacted with representatives of NGOs and civil society and collected details from the state government officials as well as officials of the Union Department for Environment. Besides, they visited Eravikulam National Park as part of evaluating the biodiversity aspects.
According to a source within the committee, the visit was to study the details of the steps being taken for the environmental protection in the state, especially ecologically fragile areas.
“We have certain parameters in this regard that include checking the steps being taken to preserve forest lands, the misuse of forest land for other purpose, whether the fund allotted for afforestation drive was diverted for any other purposes and so on.
Our objective was to look into the implementation of Swachh Bharath programme as well as to conduct a study on the impact of genetically modified (GM) seeds on the environment,” said a member on condition of anonymity.
In the wake of rampant complaints of encroachments in Munnar, the committee also considered grievances of the public and NGO representatives.
Though, there were reports that the committee would visit the areas where encroachments were rampant, it did not happen. Renuka told reporters in Munnar, a detailed report on the visit would be submitted in Parliament within three months with the committee’s recommendations.
She also appreciated the efforts being taken by the public towards environmental protection. She admitted that the committee had received certain complaints regarding encroachments during its sitting.
Around 22 NGO representatives participated in the discussions. BJP Idukki district president Binu J Kaimal also submitted a memorandum regarding environmental protection of Munnar. Those who raised complaints in the sitting were allowed to submit substantiating documents within 10 days.
Apart from Renuka, the members of the committee who participated in the sitting include Ronald Sapa Tlau, Nagendra Singh, K Gopal, Sharam Singh Yadav, C P Narayanan, Dadar Misra and Pankaj Chaudhary.