Panel rejects proposals for commercial activities near BRT Tiger reserve in Chamarajanagar: Report
Chamarajanagar: In a decision set to benefit wildlife conservation, authorities have rejected proposals for commercial activities near the BRT Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar.
The Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Monitoring Committee of BRT Tiger Reserve has decided not to grant approval for 11 new commercial ventures, including a hotel, a commercial complex, a warehouse, a petrol station, a residential layout, a community hall, and a wine store, as reported by The Hindu.
The members of the committee noted the places mentioned were within a one-kilometer radius of the reserve’s ESZ.
The committee referenced directives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, which prohibit new commercial construction within a one-kilometer boundary of protected areas or their ESZs. A Forest Department official confirmed that all the rejected proposals were located within this radius. However, it has been decided to survey the area for a proposed borewell at Biligirirangana Betta before making a decision, the report mentioned.
The committee also flagged two homestays in Yelandur, located within half a kilometer of the reserve boundary, deeming them illegal. Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag confirmed that notices had been issued to these unauthorised establishments.
“It has been more than two years since National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) submitted a report recommending action against illegal tourism establishments,” Giridhar Kulkarni, a wildlife conservationist, was quoted as saying by The Hindu. He pointed out that the Revenue Department issued notices in 2023 itself but eviction have not yet taken place. He further urged the authorities to remove these illegal homestays.
Meanwhile, the committee also rejected proposals to establish poultry farms and sheep-rearing activities bordering B.R. Hills in Yelandur and Chamarajanagar taluks, citing the risk of escalating human-animal conflicts.
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TN CM Vijay calls fuel price hike ‘unacceptable’, seeks rollback
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday slammed the increase of Rs 3 per litre in petrol and diesel prices, calling it "unacceptable", and demanded its immediate rollback, claiming the revision would affect various sections of society.
He said oil marketing companies do not reduce prices in line with global crude price trends and "take the profits".
"Union government oil marketing companies have increased the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre. This is not acceptable," Vijay said in a statement.
The hike has been effected after the "five-state polls" (four states and one union territory), he added.
This price rise will largely affect the income of the poor and middle class using two-wheelers and small vehicles, as well as others dependent on vehicles for their livelihood, the CM said.
It will ultimately result in an increase in the prices of daily commodities and also "affect the purchasing power of the poor," he added.
Citing the chain effect of the price revision, such as increased input costs for small units, he said it could lead to a "slowdown" in the market and exports.
"Therefore, I urge the union government to immediately roll back the price hike that will affect the poor and middle-class people and SMEs," Vijay added.
Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, which disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments.
Petrol and diesel prices are now at their highest level since May 2022.
