TDB, Ecosmart to discuss Sabarimala master plan: Minister

Pathanamthitta, Dec 24 (UNI) Kerala Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran today said Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and Ecosmart will enter into a discussion soon on the pros and cons of the Sabarimala Master Plan to iron-out differences of opinion amicably.

Talking to reporters here, he said the Ecosmart had formulated the masterplan without conducting prior discussions with the Devaswom Board, which ultimately led Board President G Raman Nair to express a different view.

The actual execution of the Sabarimala Master Plan rested with the Devaswom Board, he said adding that the follow-up action would be taken up only with the concurrence of the Board.

Opinions of Department Heads concerned and Hindu Religious Organisations would be taken into consideration in this regard.

Mr Sudhakaran said no one had demanded exclusion of Ecosmart from the master plan affair.

He set aside unnecessary controversies over the forest land in Sabarimala. It was better for the forest department to try to resolve any issue with the parties concerned in the state itself.

All the bamboo sheds constructed in the periyar tiger reserve would be demolished promptly at the conclusion of the ongoing pilgrimage season, he said.

It was wrong to interpret the setting up of sheds as forest encroachment.

He said Government was non-partisan in the Sabarimala episode.

The number of pilgrims had registered an increase to 40 per cent compared to last year, he added.

UNI XR CR LS RAI2147