The Kerala State Biodiversity Board has uploaded the final version of Cadastral maps of ESA (Ecologically Sensitive Area) villages in the state, on its website. The cadastral maps for demarcating the boundary of ESA villages are uploaded after verification by panchayat committees and expert scrutiny by a high-level panel. The maps, the scrutiny of which have been completed, were uploaded on the website with the technical support from the Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre.
Complaints on the uploaded maps should be filed before the District Collectors concerned within two days. The Collectors should hand over these complaints to the Environment Department, said an official statement by the Chairman, State Biodiversity Board.
The cadastral maps of 123 ESA villages were given to the panchayats concerned by the Biodiversity Board in association with the State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre and the Survey Department, for verification. The panchayats returned the maps after marking human habitat and forest region in these villages. The expert scrutiny of these maps by a high-level panel was completed by Wednesday. However, procedures on some maps have not been completed till now. The cadastral map of Cheruvancherry taluk in Kannur district has only partially been completed. The scrutiny of some villages - Mlappara in Idukki, Puthussery East in Palakkad, Thirunelli, Thrissileri, Kottappadi and Vellarimala in Wayanad - has not been completed. Though maps were submitted, the demarcation of habitat regions had not been done properly. Hence, they were returned with a direction to re-submit them within two days.
With maps posted on the website, now people can file their complaints regarding the ESA villages. Based on the complaints, changes would be made and the final version will be handed over to the Environment Ministry. Then, the final notification will be made.
