Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi criticises Rahul Gandhi for promoting unregulated tourism
Kalpatta: The Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi has expressed strong disapproval of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who they referred to as the ‘last hope of Indian democracy,’ for allegedly emerging as a brand ambassador of unregulated and illegal tourism in Wayanad. The committee accused Gandhi, along with Minister P.A. Mohammad Riaz and MLA T. Siddique, of promoting tourism projects that are causing severe environmental damage and undermining the livelihoods of farmers and tribals in the district.
In a statement, the committee emphasised that unregulated tourism activities have led to widespread destruction of the Western Ghats and have endangered the district's ecological balance. They argued that the political leaders have failed to address the concerns of farmers and tribal communities, who constitute 80% of Wayanad’s population.
Committee President N. Badusha highlighted that illegal resorts and night-time activities in forest areas have disrupted wildlife habitats and caused landslides in areas like Mundakai and Chooralmala. He called for a reassessment of the tourism policy in Wayanad, urging the implementation of eco-friendly and sustainable tourism practices instead of the current profit-driven model.
The committee criticised Rahul Gandhi, Riaz, and Siddique for not standing by the people during times of natural calamities and instead supporting ventures that primarily benefit a small group of elites. The statement concluded by stressing the need for self-regulation among political leaders and tourism promoters to protect Wayanad’s fragile ecosystem.
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Trump pauses Project Freedom, claims great progress for final agreement with Iran
Washington (PTI): President Donald Trump has suspended “Project Freedom,” to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming progress in negotiations with Iran toward an agreement to end the war.
In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said, “Great progress has been made toward a complete and final agreement with representatives of Iran.”
“Based on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran, we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump said.
Project Freedom was launched on Monday to escort ships, stranded due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, out to safety. Trump had announced the operation on Sunday and the US Central Command began implementing it the next day.
However, the Project led to friction in the vicinity of the narrow seaway, a key route for transporting one-fifth of the global oil supplies, with the UAE claiming that its ships were attacked by Iran. The US also claimed to have destroyed several Iranian small boats.
Trump’s statement on Truth Social came hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28, had concluded as its objectives have been achieved.
"Operation Epic Fury is concluded. We achieved the objectives of that operation. We're not cheering for an additional situation to occur. We would prefer the path of peace. What @POTUS would prefer is a deal... that is, so far, not the route that Iran has chosen," Rubio told a press conference at the White House on Tuesday.
On Project Freedom, Rubio said the goal was to rescue almost 23,000 civilians from 87 different countries who were trapped inside the Persian Gulf and left for dead by the Iranian regime.
"This is not an offensive operation. This is a defensive operation, and what that means is very simple: there’s no shooting unless we're shot at first. We’re not attacking them, but if they're attacking us or they’re attacking a ship, you need to respond to that," Rubio said.
