Tejasvi Surya Accuses Kerala Government of Ignoring Warnings on Eco-sensitive Zones

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticized Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan for the landslides in Wayanad, labeling them as man-made disasters. He claimed the Kerala government ignored warnings on illegal commercial activities in eco-sensitive zones. Rescue efforts continue as the death toll reaches 308.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tejasvi Surya issued strong criticism towards Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday, labeling the recent landslides in Wayanad as man-made disasters. Surya alleged that negligence by the Communist-Congress party, particularly ignoring warnings about illegal commercialization, mining, and quarrying in eco-sensitive zones since 2000, led to the tragedy.

Surya pointed out that various experts in the Western Ghats ecosystem have consistently described the disaster as man-made. 'What has happened in Wayanad is a man-made disaster. Not just me, but experts like Madhav Gadgil have been repeatedly saying this,' he told ANI.

He further stated, 'Since 2000, numerous reports from panels, government bodies, and scientific organizations, including IIT Delhi, have cautioned the state against illegal activities in the western ghats. Yet, neither the Congress party nor the UDF or LDF governments took any action.' Surya also accused the Communist government of attempting to ban scientific and media organizations from investigating the causes behind the disaster.

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations in Wayanad entered their fifth consecutive day on Saturday, with several people still feared trapped under the debris. Kerala Health Minister Veena George reported a death toll of 308 as of Friday. The latest updates indicate that 215 bodies and 143 body parts have been recovered, with ongoing post-mortem procedures.

(With inputs from agencies.)