BY

NITHIN KB

Western Ghats

on the fringes of the west coast of India.

Extending-1500-1600 km.

average elevation < 600 m.

Six States viz. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa,

Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

home for 50 million people.

source of water for entire Peninsular India.

influences monsoons.

retains only 7% of original forest cover.

world’s hottest hotspots of biodiversity.

Background and Constitution

of HLWG

increasing population-degradation

ecological sensitivity and significance of the region&

possible impacts of climate change.

MoEF of Union Constituted MADHAV GADGIL

COMMITTEE(WGEEP report) to study.

Later, a High-Level Working Committee under Kasturirangan

appointed by Union -to review the report.

examine WGEEP Report.

suggest further course of action;

other relevant matters to be considered.

submission of Action Plan to implement WGEEP Report.

submitted 490 page report to environment minister Jayanthi Natarajanon April 16,2013.

REPORT

Of the total area

60 % - cultural landscape –

human dominated land settlements,

agriculture & plantations.

40 % of land-natural landscape.

biologically rich area- 37 %.

Govt. to notify ESA-Economically sensitive areas

Areas with low fragmentation & population density ,Protected Areas (PAs), World Heritage Sites (WHSs) & Tiger & Elephant corridors.

Landscape divisionLandscape

Cultural

Natural

bio rich

Threats by development projects & urban growth.

suggests high level of scrutiny and assessment.

To facilitate sustainable development in the WG region, inhabited by about 50 million people, the non ESA (mostly cultural landscape)well demarcated.

The need for urgent action.

development restrictions- notified area

put ESA map in the public domain

prohibitory and regulatory regime in ESA for activities

other infrastructure development activities, necessary for region be carefully before clearance.

complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining in ESA.

No thermal power projects to be allowed in ESA.

Hydropower projects may be allowed subject to conditions.

‘Red’ category industries strictly banned.

Building and construction projects of 20,000 m2 and above should not be allowed. Townships and area development projects to be prohibited.

The villages falling under ESA will be involved in decision making on the future projects. All projects will require prior-informed consent and no- objection from the Gram Sabha of the village.

WG States to come together to negotiate for a grant-in aid from the Centre.

to promote sustainable tourism

The tourism policy for Ecologically Sensitive Area of the Western Ghats must provide local community ownership and benefits.

be monitored for compliance with environmental conditions and development restrictions and assessed in terms of impact.

CRITICAL EVALUATION

According to National Forest Policy the minimum forest cover in hilly areas is to be 66%. Not complied.

the HLWG’s recommendations are final ; no scope for discussion at grass root level.

The ESA proposed based mainly on the distribution of flora & nothing on fauna( rarity, endemism or abundance), apart from elephant and tiger corridors.

wildlife habitats not included in demarcation of ESA.

the HLWG has not considered the principles and practices in ecology

opened up almost 2/3rd of WG for development with no strict checks and balances.

Demarcation based on Talukas(having more than 20% of its area above 600 m is considered WG). these are not natural units. parameters which are natural, namely altitude and vegetation should have been considered for demarcation.

HLWG has not mentioned on protection of sacred groves.

freshwater biodiversity is even under greater threat than forest biodiversity.

SECTOR LEVEL PLANNING IN THE ESA Mining, quarrying and sand mining

Conversion of agricultural land

Forestry

Larger dams

Power

Water Conservation

Agriculture

Incentives to farmers

Roads & Railway lines

Industries

Vital issues not mentioned

AGAINST HLWG

The LDF and High Range Protection Committee

Former Chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, V S

Vijayan, report was not legally maintainable.

Criticising the NDA government for deciding to pursue

Kasturirangan Report instead of the Gadgil’s Report, the

science movement activists, who spoke at the convention

maintained that the NDA had gone back on its promise given to

the public before the election that it would support the Gadgil

committee report if it came to power.

Farmers strongly oppose the panel report.

Members of Parliament from Kerala, along with other MPs, protest

against the recommendations of the K. Kasturirangan report on the

Western Ghats, at Parliament House in New Delhi.

CONCLUSION In a State like Kerala facing severe ecological problems, such a

move will lead to disastrous consequences.

The development and conservation should go hand-in- hand, in a totally democratic and transparent way.

The politicians are creating a chaos.

Protection of nature is not the sole responsibility of environmental agencies. Each human being has a responsibility to do so.