8 Feb 2010, 1851 hrs IST

KOCHI, Kerala: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh directed the state government to stop the construction work temporarily in connection with the Athirapally project till a report is submitted by the expert panel.

He said Athirapally should be protected like the Silent Valley.

He said necessary steps will be taken to evict encroachers from Munnar.

0 (0)