Reduce 'deemed forest' area in Sindhudurg dist: Maha govt to

With around 80 per cent of the 'deemed forest' in Maharashtra falling in Sindhudurg district, the state government says it is hampering developmental activities and has demanded reduction in its size.
In a meeting with Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday, Maharashtra Minister of State for Finance Deepak Kesarkar said the declaration of deemed forest in the district is hampering the development of the state.
"Maharastra has around 52,000 acres of deemed forest of which 42,000 acres are in Sindhudurg district alone. The report given by the earlier district collector, on which the declaration was made, was incorrect.
"We have again asked the Centre to change the status as it is the only authority empowered to make any kind of modification," Kesarkar said.

The Maharashtra minister said the issue is sociological in nature as no developmental work could be carried out in the district.
"People cannot even build houses on the property they own. The development of the state is getting hampered," said Kesarkar, who is also the guardian minister for the district.
Lying between the Arabian Sea and Sahyadri range, Sindhudurg is one of the most eco-sensitive districts in the state. It has also been facing rampant quarrying on its riverbeds and mountains. The district is known to be rich in iron ore.