No village fully in ESA list, Kerala CM Satheesan assures Idukki residents

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has sought to allay public apprehensions over Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs), stating that no village has been brought wholly under the ESA list. He was speaking during an interaction with representatives of various organisations in Kattappana, Idukki, on Friday.

The Chief Minister said the government's position is that only forestland falling within a village will be included in the ESA list, while farmlands and human habitations will remain outside its ambit. He added that arrangements have been made to publish maps demarcating the notified areas, which will allow residents to check whether their locality falls within an ESA.

Mr. Satheesan reiterated that a map would be released soon to clearly separate human settlements from ESAs across villages, and assured that no residential area would be given the ESA tag. He also stated that no farmers' land had been converted into Ecologically Fragile Land (EFL).

Later, addressing a public meeting in Kattappana, the Chief Minister referred to the recent Assembly elections. He noted that five television news channels had aired pre-poll surveys projecting that the Left Democratic Front would retain power, while he had maintained that the United Democratic Front would win more than 100 seats.

According to Mr. Satheesan, the UDF crossed the 100-seat mark when results were declared. He also recalled his prediction that a dozen Ministers in the previous LDF Cabinet would be defeated, and said 13 Ministers ultimately lost their seats.