Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government extended the tenure of the expert panel, appointed to study buffer zones around the protected areas, for two more months. The tenure has been extended by considering that the panel requires more time to prepare a comprehensive report, said Minister for Forest and Wildlife protection AK Saseendran. 

An expert panel chaired by retired justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan was formed in October to conduct inspections and prepare a report over the buildings and residential areas in the one kilometre buffer zones around the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. 

The state government had demanded the panel to submit the final report within December 30. However, the panel had not conducted any field inspections yet. The map formulated with the help of satellite images was criticised for being insufficient. Currently, the government has planned to receive direct grievances from the public via local governing bodies.