State cabinet likely to ban mining and big industries in the Ghats

Bengaluru: In a major decision, the state cabinet on Monday accepted the majority of recommendations of the Dr Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats including a total ban on mining and big industries in the Ghats.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Law minister T.B. Jayachandra said of the 36 recommendations of the Kastrurirangan report, the government has decided to accept them all.

The government wants 850 villages to remain within the Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Western Ghats as against 1580 villages recommended by the Kasturirangan committee. “We have altered some recommendations including bringing down the villages from 1580 to 850. The cabinet sub-committee has also recommended that sand and stone quarrying be allowed in the ESZ keeping in mind local needs and development”, Mr Jayachandra said.

The government has also given relaxation for projects for drinking water, construction of roads, bridges and mini hydel projects in the zone, he added. The state has to send its response to the report to the Centre before May 10, 2014.

The cabinet decided to give compensation for loss of crops due to hailstorms. The government has enhanced the compensation amount and will declare the  affected villages as disaster-affected villages.
The government also waved interest on crop loans availed by hailstorm affected farmers and rescheduled the payment of the principal amount.