Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said that the state government is committed to protect and conserve the biodiversity of Western Ghats. He informed that the centre will be notified about the exclusion of villages which come under the eco-sensitive areas.
While speaking at a meeting on Western Ghats biodiversity conservation, Thackeray assured that any non-forest activity which harms the forests and its resources would not be allowed.
The state government’s role in conserving the Western Ghats biodiversity and excluding villages for protection of biodiversity would be made clear to the central government, he added.
The Chief Minister has instructed the forest department to conduct a drone survey to keep an eye on any non-forest activity being conducted in the eco-sensitive area. Thackeray also said that the rehabilitation facilities should be initiated for residents in villages which under the route of transit of tigers and other wildlife.
The forest department will conduct drone survey in 62 villages in the Western Ghats before finalising the eco-sensitive areas in the region. In the meeting, Maharashtra Forest Minister Sanjay Rathod was also present along with state Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray,
The meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s residence and Maharashtra Industry Minister Subhash Desai along with Principal Secretary Ajoy Mehta among other government officials were present.
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