Forest Dept. to take over mangrove forests in private land, says A.K. Saseendran
The Hindu
Move part of government efforts to conserve mangroves
The Forest Department intended to take over mangrove forests in privately-held land totalling 12 sq. km as part of efforts to conserve them, Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran informed the Kerala Assembly on Friday. Landowners would be compensated for the takeover planned under Section 4 (1) of the Kerala Forest (Vesting and Management of Ecologically Fragile Lands) Act, 2003, Mr. Saseendran said, replying to questions in the Assembly. The initiative has been conceived under the post-flood Rebuild Kerala development programme. In the first phase, mangroves in 51.41 hectares in Thrissur, Kollam, Kannur and Malappuram districts will be acquired. At present, the government is providing ₹4,000 per acre to landowners for the conservation of mangroves on private land.More Related News