Wider consultations to preserve the Western Ghats: Centre

New Delhi, Aug 11 The Centre will undertake widest possible consultations with states to preserve the Western Ghats, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave today said.

The Minister also indicated the draft on declaring the eco-sensitive zone in the region will be finalised within six months.

Noting that the "door is open for all noble ideas", Dave said there is a need to maintain a balance between ecology and development.

He said different states have problems of different nature and have to be addressed as such.

"The door is open for all noble ideas," the Environment Minister said after chairing a meeting with MPs from Western Ghats region while calling for maintaining a balance between ecology and development.

Dave said villagers and tribal people living in the region must have access to infrastructure, roads, power and drinking water.

"The Environment Minister also said that the Draft notification is likely to be finalised within six months," an official statement quoting the Minister said.

The statement added that the government has called for widest possible consultations with MPs and Legislative Assemblies on preserving the Western Ghats.

The Ministry had published a Draft notification for declaring Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) of Western Ghats, on September 4, 2015, with the objective to conserve and protect the unique biodiversity of Western Ghats.

The Western Ghat region comprises areas under Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Gujarat and Kerala.

The MPs who attended the meeting included Sharad Pawar, Shashi Tharoor, Tiruchi Siva, KS Prasad, A Sampanth, K Soma Prasad, Vinayak Bhaurau Raut, P K Shrimati Teacher and others.

PTI