A BAD PIECE OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO MANAGE THE COUNTRY'S COASTLINE WAS RECENTLY SENT TO THE SHREDDER. IN ITS PLACE, THE UNION GOVT PLANS TO REVIVE A FORMULATION, WHICH THE SPIKED PROPOSAL SOUGHT TO REPLACE. G SARAVANAN TAKES A WIDE ANGLE VIEW OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE AT STAKE The government intends to reintroduce CRZ 1991 after fortifying it.

BERHAMPUR: After being put on the backburner for decades, the Cheligada irrigation project in Ganjam district has finally been put on fast-track by the Government. The project will irrigate lands in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, supply drinking water to Berhampur city and generate power.

Union Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh, who was expecting fishing community in traditional dress code at Agonda, questioned the jeans-pant sporting All Goa Kshatriya Pagi Samaj President Shekar Pagui, whether he was actually from the fishermen community.

Though Union Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh is on a day

Close on the heels of the Digambar Kamat Government assuring the Legislative Assembly that it would act against illegal mines, a report submitted to the Centre by the same Government has recommended against any eco-fragile zones near wildlife sanctuaries in the State.

People at CRZ consultation meeting with Union Minister for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh at Fr Agnel Auditorium, Verna, took the Kamat-led Government to task over alleged illegalities in mining and protecting builders lobby.

Contrary to assurances given by the Goa government to crack down on rampant mining in forest areas, its report submitted to the union Ministry of Environment and Forests has recommended drastic reduction of eco fragile zones near wildlife sanctuaries.

Environmentalists as well as opposition parties have slammed the government over the report on eco fragile zone.

Joe C Mathew / New Delhi August 31, 2009, 0:15 IST

Jairam rameshThe Ministry of Environment and Forests has abolished the system of in-principle approvals, to put an end to the practice of launching projects without obtaining the final clearance. The move signals that the ministry has begun to take a tough stand on environmental clearances in ecologically sensitive areas.

The government will not accept any new proposal for setting up ports or expansion of existing projects along the country

Joe C Mathew / New Delhi August 31, 2009, 0:55 IST