ATHIRIPILLY & EDAKOCHI

ATHIRIPILLY & EDAKOCHI

No clearance for Athiripilly and Edakochi stadium

       Union Forest and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has not given clearnce to the much awaited Athiripally project. The Environment Ministry also refused to reconsider decision on proposed International cricket stadium at Edakochi.Of the 9 demands put forward by the state for environmental clearance, seven have been ruled out. Apart from Athiripally, Puyamkudi and Achankovil projects also find a place in Kerala's demands.

      The ministry has given approval to the terms of reference for the Environmental Impact Assesment. The minister came down heavily on the previous LDF govt for not making any kind of contact with the centre for hastening things. The minister said that he hopes to get the environmental impact assessment by next year after which the ministry will consider the final approval.The govt has approved Integrated Coastal Zone Management project to be implemented by the Ministry of Forest. Under Phase 1, West Bengal, Orissa and Gujarat would be covered. Kerala would be covered under Phase 2 and it would be a World Bank aided project. It would start in September 2012 for mangrove preservation, security of coastal zones, etc.

       An amount of Rs 10 cr has been sanctioned for restoration and regeneration of the Vembanad eco system on a fast track basis. A master plan has been sanctioned to start work at the Vembanad project. Talks with World Bank for Rs 20 mn grant for Vembanad is also on cards. The govt has sanctioned 50 scholarships for children of fishermen community to pursue studies in areas related to coastal zone management.

                                                                           Prof. John Kurakar