Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has asserted that tribal population is the largest protector of the forests and there is a need to empower local stake holders to protect the ecology and environment of the country. Speaking at a function in New Delhi on Wednesday he strongly advocated for development of state and community centred laws for greater welfare of forests. Mr. Jairam Ramesh also stressed the need to give more powers to Panchayats to achieve the desired objective. He reiterated the need to amend the present forest laws and described only industry oriented development as the biggest threat to the forests. AIR correspondent reports that N.C. Saxena committee panel in its report to the Environment Ministry has strongly called for curtailing the powers given to the forest department in the wake of large scale complaints against them by the Tribals. Speaking on the occasion the deputy Chairman of the planning Commission Monte Singh Ahluwalia called for effective implementation of Environment laws besides channelising industrial development.