With the Karnataka Government yet to reverse its stand on the inclusion of the Western Ghats sites in the World Heritage site list, and the deadline reported to be in December, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is now trying to allay the fears of the State Government and has written several letters including the ones by the minister herself.

Now the MoEF ADG (Wildlife) Mr. Jagdish Kishwan has also shot off letters stating that the inclusion of the sites in the Unesco World Heritage site in no way has any legal implications in terms of its protection and management. It also states that fears of local people about the heritage tag impacting their livelihoods and lives are misplaced. On the other hand, this tag is likely to bring in more tourist inflow.

However, Karnataka is yet to openly agree to reverse its stand taken against the inclusion in the World Heritage Site list. Hope better sense prevails.

Sabyasachi