A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF WESTERN GHATs ECOLOGY EXPERT PANEL REPORT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KERALA STATE

Western Ghats region comes under the top eight biodiversity hotspots in the world and it hosts over 400 species and seven distinct vegetation types. The Western Ghats are often in the news due to the constant threats to their biodiversity.

1. A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF WESTERN GHATs ECOLOGY EXPERT PANEL REPORT with special reference to Kerala state Sarath Chandran R. Research scholar Department of E ducation University of Kerala, Kerala, India [email protected]

2. Western Ghats region comes under the top eight biodiversity hotspots in the world and it host over 400 species and seven distinct vegetation types. The Western Ghats are often in the news due to constant threat to their biodiversity. In view of the environmental sensitivity and ecological significance of the Western Ghats region and the complex interstate nature of its geography, as well as possible impacts of climate change on this region, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, constituted, by an order dated 4 th March 2010, a Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) under the chairmanship of Prof. Madhav Gadgil and submitted their report on 31 st August 2011. The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel Report clearly defined the Western Ghats mountain range as that runs along the west coast of peninsular India from Tamil Nadu through Kerala, Karnataka and Goa to Maharashtra and is well known for its majestic beauty. Introduction

3. The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel Report clearly defined the Western Ghats mountain range as that runs along the west coast of peninsular India from Tamil Nadu through Kerala, Karnataka and Goa to Maharashtra and is well known for its majestic beauty .

4. Terms of references of the panel To assess the current status of ecology of the Western Ghats region. Demarcate areas within the Western Ghats Region to be notified as Ecologically Sensitive Zones under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. In doing so, the Panel shall review the existing reports, such as the Pronab Sen Committee report, Dr. T. S. Vijayaraghavan Committee report, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s directions, Recommendations of the National Board for Wildlife, and consult all the concerned States.

5. Make recommendations for the conservation, protection and rejuvenation of the Western Ghats Region following a comprehensive consultation process involving people and governments of all concerned States. Suggest measures for effective implementation of the notifications issued by the government of India in the Ministry of Environment and forests declaring specific areas in the Western Ghats Region as Eco-sensitive Zones under the Environment (Protection) Act , 1986

6. Recommend the modalities for the establishment of Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which will be a professional body to manage the ecology of the region and to ensure its sustainable development with the support of all concerned States. Deal with any other relevant environment and ecological issues pertaining to Western Ghats Region, including those which may be referred to it by the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

7. To evaluate and submit reports on a) The Athirappilly Hydro-electric Project b) Gundia Hydro-electric project c) To suggest an appropriate course of further development of mining, power production and polluting industries in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra.

8. 1) Biodiversity values 2) Ecosystem services values of the Western Ghats 3) The ecological integrity of the Western Ghats Why Western Ghats is more significant?

9. • The entire Western Ghats had to be divided based on the significance of the area. Thus, three categories have been identified, namely Most significant area - Ecologically Sensitive Zone I (ESZ 1) • Moderately significant area - ESZ 2 • Less significant area - ESZ 3 Zones of Western Ghats

10. The parameters considered are: (1) Biological features : (2) Cultural and Historical significance (3) Geo-climatic features (4) Hazard vulnerability: (5) Stakeholders valuation : (6) Areas of origin of rivers, habitats contiguous to national parks and sanctuaries, riverine vegetation.

11. Relevance of Gadgil report in Kerala state Gadgil report has very high relevance in the case of Kerala state especially in the inter phase of increased landslides and flood. There is a strong relationship between western ghat and recently occurred landslide and flood in Kerala. According to Prof. Madhav Gadgil , Kerala flood was the man made calamity. In Kerala, there are 15 taluks comes under the ESZ 1, 2 taluks under the ESZ 2 and 8 taluks under the ESZ 3. In some areas, the committee recommended strong restrictions on mining and quarrying, use of land for non-forest purposes, construction of high rises etc. the committee had strongly recommended a ban on certain new industrial and mining activities in the area and called for strict regulation of many other developmental works in consultation with local communities and gram panchayats .

12. In Kerala the following areas are comes under the ecologically sensitive area. Mandakol , Panathadi , Paithal Mala, Brahmagiri-Thirunelli , Wayanad , Banasura-Kuttiyadi , Nilumbur-Mepadi , Silent Valley- New Amarambalam , Siruvani , Nelliampathy , Peechi-Vazhani , Athirappilly-Vazhachal , Pooyamkutty Munnar , Cardamom Hills, Periyar , Kulathupuzha , Agasthya Mala.

13. Ecologically Sensitive Zone I is the most significant area and there is no change of land use from forest to non-forest use or agriculture to non-agriculture, except agriculture to forest, and except when extension of existing village settlement areas to accommodate increase in population of local residents and should be promote organic agricultural practices by phasing out use of chemical pesticides/ weedicides . More over there is no new licenses for mining and no new thermal plants and large scale wind power projects in Zone 1. There are 15 taluks comes under the ESZ 1 in Kerala. Discussion and Conclusion

14. According to the Gadgil committee report, Ecologically Sensitive Zone 2 (ESZ 2) is the moderately significant area and also recommended to restrict the use of chemical pesticides and weedicides , mining and other ecologically unethical activities. In the case of mining in zone 2, it can be reviewed case by case. Ecologically Sensitive Zone 3 is the less significant area and also restricted the use of chemicals but new mining may be taken up in this zone. However, the committee clearly and repeatedly said that, the report should be discussed at the panchayath level and the final decisions on all the recommendations given should be taken with their consent; whether it is for demarcating the Ecologically Sensitive Zones or for the various activities to be undertaken in each of them.

15. Gadgil committee prepared their recommendations on the basis of existing condition of Western Ghats and report undergoes many criticisms and discussions among south Indian peoples including Kerala. Actually there is no need of any type of allegations and controversies, because the report is ecofriendly and farmers friendly at the same level. Hence the Gadgil committee report should implement in the Western Ghats and protect and conserve our nature for coming generations. Already we, the Kerala people felt the big landslides and flood in Western Ghat region and it also emphasize that the need of implementation of Gadgil committee report.

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