'Neutrino Observatory' is a closed chapter: Ramesh

Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh today said the Neutrino Observatory (INO), an underground experimental physics project, at Singara in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu is a ''closed chapter.'' Talking to newspersons here, he said he said there were strong arguments from environmentalists and scientist ''for and against'' the project in the biosphere of Nilgiris and the Centre has decided against locating the project at Singara.

The arguments from environmentalists and scientists (for and against locating the project in Singara) were evenly balanced and his Ministry chose to be at the side of Environmentalists, Mr Ramesh said, adding, alternative sites have been suggested for the project.

To a question on poaching of tigers, he said the tiger population in the country has drastically come down to 1200 from 1400.

A stringent law would be enacted under the Wildlife Act to protect tigers in the country, he added.

On landslides, Mr Ramesh said the Centre was discussing the issue with the respective State Governments to safeguard the biodiversity of the Himalayas, North East and the Western ghats. The Centre was planning to come out with a comprehensive bill to protect the biodiversity in these areas, he added.

-- (UNI) -- 22MS37.xml

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