Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
The Western Ghats stand as one of the world’s most remarkable mountain ranges along India’s western coastline. Spanning 1,600 kilometers from the Tapti River in Maharashtra to Swamithoppe in Tamil Nadu, this ancient range spanning over six states, is not just a geographical marvel but also a cradle of unparalleled biodiversity and cultural richness.
It’s one of the 36 Global Biodiversity Hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite covering less than 6% of India’s land area, they harbour an astonishing 30% of the country’s plant, fish, amphibian, bird, and mammal species. This includes a significant number of endemic species found nowhere else on the earth, underscoring the global importance of this ecological treasure.
This biodiversity is not only of ecological importance but also supports countless human livelihoods and cultures. The forests provide essential ecosystem services such as water regulation, soil stabilization, and climate moderation, making them vital for the well-being of millions. It is the home of many endangered plants and animals.
In order to provide high attention to the Western Ghats and to chalk out a strategy for conserving these Ghats, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests set up an expert panel – Gadgil Commission – formally known as Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) under the chairmanship of noted environmentalist Madhav Gadgil in 2010. The Commission submitted its report to the Government of India on 31 August 2011.
MADHAV GADGIL REPORT:
HIGHLIGHTS
- The WGEEP designated the entire hill range as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
- The panel, in its report, classified 142 taluks in the Western Ghats boundary into Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) 1, 2 and 3.
- ESZ-1 being of high priority, almost all developmental activities (mining, thermal power plants, etc.) were restricted in it.
- The report recommended that “no new dams based on large-scale storage be permitted in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 1. Since both the Athirappilly of Kerala and Gundia of Karnataka hydel project sites fall in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 1, these projects should not be accorded environmental clearance,” it said.
- It recommended steps to regulate tourism in the region.
- No new construction / creation of dams, railway projects, major road projects, hill stations, or special economic zones in ESZ 1 and 2.
- The report specifies that the present system of governance of the environment should be changed. It asked for a bottom to top approach (right from Gram sabhas) rather than a top to bottom approach. It also asked for decentralization and more powers to local authorities.
- The commission recommended constitution of a Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA), as a statutory authority under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, with the powers under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
CRITICISM
The Madhav Gadgil Report faced major criticism as:
- It was more environment-friendly and not in tune with the ground realities.
- Recommendations were cited as impractical to implement.
- Gadgil report asked for a complete eco-sensitive cover for the Western Ghats which hamper different states on energy and development fronts.
- There was a criticism against the constitution of a new body called WGEA.
- The report doesn’t give a solution for revenue losses due to the implementation of its recommendations.
- Gadgil report is against dams in the Western Ghats, which is a crucial blow on the ailing power sector. Considering the growing energy needs of India, critics argue that this recommendation cannot be taken.
OUTCOME
The Ministry kept the Gadgil report in safe custody for eight months with them. It was not available for public discussion as expected by Gadgil committee members. Despite filing of an RTI petition, it was not made public. Following an order of the Delhi High Court, the Gadgil Committee report was finally released.
There had been lots of rumours and controversies – social, political and by the ‘groups with vested interests’, as the report was reportedly dubbed as anti-people and anti-farmer.
It is in this background that another committee was appointed to study Gadgil Report, review and suggest measures for implementation. The name of the committee was Kasturirangan committee. Read more about it on Kasturirangan Committee Report on the Western Ghats Article.
