Idukki, Monday 22 Dec 2008: Forest Minister Benoy Viswom has said developmental activities within forest areas require legal and technical clearance and the State government is committed to ensuring the welfare of tribal population living in wildlife sanctuaries.

Visiting the tribal settlement area at Kannampady, inside the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary near Upputhara, the Minister said he had decided to visit the area after getting to know about the problems being faced by the tribals in the settlement. “The empowered committee appointed by the Supreme Court is keenly watching if any damage is done to the forests,” he said.

The Minister said sanctioning any project without considering the legal and technical aspects is meaningless.
Meeting of the Ministers concerned is held every two months to ensure that the tribals living in forest areas get the maximum benefits from the projects announced for tribals.
The Left parties had a major role in the Union government passing the Bill to restore the rights of adivasis on land, the Minister said.