IDUKKI: Taking strong exception to the uncontrolled development activities in Munnar under the tag of tourism, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Forests chairperson Renuka Chaudhary said the committee would take serious note of any attempt to destroy the pristine biodiversity of the hill station.
Chaudhary said the committee had received complaints regarding encroachments in Munnar and its impact on the environment. The committee would take cognisance of the gravity of the situation after interacting with the civil society, activists, NGOs and the state government officers, she told media persons during a visit to Munnar.
“We should conserve areas like this as they are something we cannot recreate,” she said. “No amount of science and technology will be able to create something like Munnar. At best, science and technology should help preserve these areas.”
She also warned of unscientific development activities as part of tourism development. “You can encourage tourism in a responsible way. It can actually contribute to environmental conservation,” she said.
The committee will also meet a government officer with the rank of additional chief secretary. “We will look into aberrations of the state government policies and formulate our report considering all these aspects,” she said.
The committee will submit its report before the Parliament along with its recommendations to protect Munnar.