Scientific approach can help settle land disputes: Swaminathan

Special Correspondent

Madras Science Foundation can play lead role: scientist

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"Globalisation will throw up complex issues in the near future"
"It is not difficult to map prime and non-prime lands with tools of
information technology"
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CHENNAI: The Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers, M.S.
Swaminathan, has asked the Central and State Governments to seek
guidance from the scientific community to settle complex issues such as
making available prime lands to non-farming activities, including
setting up of industries.

"Be it the current issue in Singur and Nandigram in West Bengal or
creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZ), scientific approach and study
could help find amicable solutions. It is not difficult to map such
prime and non-prime lands in different States with modern tools of
information technology and science alone can provide objective analysis
and guidance," Dr. Swaminathan said after being felicitated by the
Madras Science Foundation.

"We are going to encounter such complex issues with more of
globalisation and liberalisation in the near future," Dr. Swaminathan
said, adding that the Madras Science Foundation could play a lead role
in providing guidance to amicably settle sensitive land issues.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/09/stories/2007010915690600.htm