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Committee (Madhav Gadgil: On Western Ghats Ecology (Recommendation (It…
Committee
Madhav Gadgil: On Western Ghats Ecology
Why set up?
In view of the threats from construction,
mining, industries, real-estate,hydropower,, a panel set up under Ecology Expert
Task: To assess ecology and Biodiversity of the Western Ghats
to suggest measures to
conserve, protect and rejuvenate the entire range from GJ to TN
Recommendation
It defined Western Ghats boundaries
Proposed entire area to be Ecologically Sensitive Area
Within ESA, smaller regions are ID as Ecologically sensitive zones-1,2,3 based on their existing condition and nature of Threat
Entire area to be divided into 2300 grids, 9*9 each
75% of area would be under ES 1,2 or under existng protected areas such as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks
No new SEZ/ Hill stations
No mining licenses, polluting Industries, railway lines/major roads in ESZ 1 & 2
No dams, Thermal power plants in ESZ1
Strict regulation of Tourism
Phasing out of chemical pesticide within 5-8 years in ESZ1 and ESZ2
Cumulative impact assessment of all commercial operations
Committee proposed Western Ghats ecology Authority
Report on Dams
Dams in Wghats, those in steep valleys were silting prematurely due to massive encroachment and deforestation of catchment areas
Daily flow fluctuations created by peak and
off-peak operations of reservoirs in thedammed rivers led to upstream/
downstream conflicts in many river basins.
The diversion of flows into another river
basin after power generation is creatingThe diversion of flows into another river
basin after power generation is creating
Operation of hydro electric stations are in sync with power needs than the downstream water needs
Kasturirangan Report
None of the six states agreed with recommendations of Gadgil committee
In 2012, Environ Min consttuted a high level working group under Kasturirangan to examine Gadgil report in Holistic and Multi-disciplinary fashion
What has it told?
It broadened the definition of Western Ghats
It classified the area as cultural landscape and
natural landscape.
Cultural Landscape: 60%: where human settlements, agriculture, and plantations existed
Remaining Natural Landscape
Biologically rich area is only 37%
Only this part, it wanted as ESA
Recommendations
Ban on mining, quarrying and sand
mining
No thermal projects, but hydro can be allowed with restrictions
Ban on mining, quarrying and sand
mining
Building and construction projects up to
20,000 sq mts was to be allowed
townships were to be banned, forest
diversions could be allowed with extra safegaurds
Objections from KL govt
Ban on sand mining and
quarrying_
Restrictions on transport
infrastructure and wind energy proj
Embargos on hydroelectric
projects
Inter-basin transfer of river waters
Complete ban on Industries
Consequences
Above factors have partly contributed to Kerala Floods
Finally decided what?
MoEFCC notified 56,285sq km as ESA
Slightly less than recommended by Kasturiranagan
Way forward
There should be minimal intervention with Nature