The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition has expressed doubts over the efficacy of the Kerala government's decision to exempt homes, farms, and civic offices from the scope of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) prescribed by the Supreme Court within the 1-km radius of 23 protected wetlands, forests and national parks in Kerala.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan claimed the government order (GO) lacked clarity. It accorded no relief to a sizeable segment of Kerala's population, including settler farmers. Instead, the Cabinet order has pushed lakhs of families living near protected areas deeper into the abyss of uncertainty.
