Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh clamps down on Goan proposal for reducing the buffer zones around the sanctuaries

I was delighted with the recent pronouncements by Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh regarding the proposal by Goa to reduce the buffer zones around the sanctuaries. The proposal was prompted by the interests of the powerful mining lobby.

The minister has categorically stated that the central government cannot countenance the recommendation to reduce the buffer zones around the sanctuaries mooted by Government of Goa. He went on to add that a 10-km buffer zone may not be feasible but a zero buffer zone will not be accepted as far as he is the minister for environment and forests.

High Range tidings salutes Mr Jairam Ramesh for the no nonsense approach taken by him. Keep up the good work Sir. The environmentalists are strongly behind you.