KOCHI, Kerala: The Kerala High Court issued a notice to the state government on a writ petition seeking a directive to all local bodies to constitute Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) under the Biological Diversity Act 2002, to protect biological resources, including sacred groves.
Viswom Koothupara of Thrikkakara pointed out in his petition that as per the Act, every local self-government institution should set up a Biodiversity Management Committee in their areas and that the Act was enacted to conserve and protect biological resources.
The petitioner also stated that the government must protect the ecology and the bioresources and stop people from violating the Act.