Even as the State government has formed the new Munnar Hill Area Authority (MHAA) to ensure sustainable development of the Munnar region, the Greens have demanded change in the development focus in MHAA and ensure the protection of ecological balance in the hill station through the Authority.
According to sources, the proposed committee has no direct participation of ecological experts or Forest Department officials. The State government on Saturday issued a final notification forming the Munnar Hill Area Authority.
Wildlife expert P. S. Essa said, “Munnar is unique because of the beautiful landscape and environment, which is also ecologically fragile. So, the stress should have been on the conservation and livelihood of the native community. This is crucial, especially because development has a different connotation among our policymakers and political bosses. So, the word ‘development’ should have been avoided in the title,” said Dr Essa.
