Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jun 2: Western Ghats Task Force has recommended to the government to enforce total ban on any kind of mining activity in the Western Ghats, because of the fragile and sensitive nature of the biodiversity and environment of this sector, said Western Ghats Task Force president Anant Hegde Ashisara. Addressing a press conference here on Monday June 1, he said the government has not issued any fresh mining lease after the recommendation was made.
The Task Force, set up about six months ago, will be submitting an exhaustive report to the government on the rivers originating in the Ghats, conservation of hyper sensitive areas of the region, biodiversity, protection of wild life etc., which will include appropriate recommendations on these aspects. A preliminary report had been submitted to the government three months ago and by June end, the integrated report will be submitted to the Chief Minister, he explained.
Schemes are being framed to protect vegetation and biodiversity, including the protection of Devarakadu and Naga Banas in the state. A survey on them is in progress. The government has set aside a sum of two crore rupees for this project, he revealed.
The task of identifying highly sensitive areas as far as biodiversity and environment are concerned is in progress. There are over a hundred such spots, spread over nine districts of the state, including Yana in Uttara Kannada district, Ambarugudda near Kodachadri Hills, Amnaghatta near Hosanagar etc., which have already been declared as sensitive regions. The task of identifying such spots in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts is in progress, he said.
During June this year, a programme of planting of two crore saplings in association with the forest department will be held. The Task Force is also examining the mini hydel power plants that are either already operational or under construction. The Task Force is collecting information about the forest department clearance they have obtained, Hegde explained. He also said that smuggling of invaluable medicinal herbs from the Western Ghats to Kerala and foreign countries is being undertaken. To create awareness among the local people and officials and explain to them the plans of action about the conservation of medicinal herbs and plants, a special workshop is being held in Ujire shortly, he revealed.