Indian Express 30.07.2010
Protect green cover for future generation: Minister
Express News Service Tags : government, environment Posted: Fri Jul 30 2010, 02:43 hrs
Pune: A day after the environment status report (ESR) of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) stressed for protection of hill top s and slopes, Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar refrained from making any comments on efforts being made to allow limited development as against the complete reservation of biodiversity park as proposed in the development plan.“The city has a large green cover that is owned by civic body, forest and defence department. We need to protect the green cover for the future generation,” Pawar said after inaugurating ‘Smritivan’ of civic body in forest land on Taljai Hill.
He said the development plan of the 23 merged villages has been stuck up with the state government due to objections of land owners to declare the hills as biodiversity park.
“The chief minister has recently discussed the issue and come out with a solution so that the development plan is approved,” Pawar said without making any comments on his stand on the proposed reservation on hill top and hill slope issue.
He, however, urged the civic body to help forest department to construct a concrete wall on the boundary of Taljai Hill. “The construction of concrete wall is a good solution to protect the forest from encroachment and fire,” Pawar said.
The issue of reserving the hill top and slope as biodiversity park (BDP) was held up in controversy after political parties, except Congress, reached a consensus on allowing limited development of four per cent on the land so that it can be protected from encroachment. On the other hand, the environmentalists have registered their protest on any such move that would have adverse impact on the green cover of the city.
