MADIKERI: The Central Empowered Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court of India to look into the issues related to the environment and forest in the light of applications discussed in the Supreme Court, will tour Kodagu district to verify matters and get first-hand information.
The CEC, headed by chairman P V Jayakrishana and two other members, will arrive in Kodagu on May 4 and inspect the Kadamakal-Subramanya road and various other roads.
They will study issues related to the violation of the Forest Conservation Act, Wildlife Protection Act and the orders passed by the Supreme Court.
Sources told The New Indian Express that the CEC asked the stockholders concerned to be present on May 6 at Aranya Bhavan in Madikeri and submit their versions.
Retired Air Marshal K C Cariappa had filed a public interest petition on December 2008 in the Supreme Court against the district administration headed by Deputy Commissioner M K Baladevakrishna and then Conservator of Forests Kodagu Circle A Sudershan, alleging that they took the initiative to lay the road across Kadamakal wildlife area connecting Sri Kukke Subramanya temple.
He alleged that the road was against the Forest Conservation Act and Wildlife Protection Act. It violates the Supreme Court orders too.
The other accused in the petition were MLAs M P Appachu Ranjan, K G Bopaiah and MLC S G Medappa, besides top state officials such as the Chief Secretary and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest.
According to the Supreme Court instruction, the CEC conducted one hearing on March 5, 2009, and it would visit the places and get firsthand information.