Gadgil Report and Kasturirangan Report on Western Ghats

 The frequent occurrence of natural disasters, especially landslides, flooding, have brought into focus the essence of conservation of the Western Ghats in our country. Recent events of over two dozen people losing their lives in landslides and flash floods, in hilly regions of Western Ghats in central Kerala districts of Kottayam and Idukki have fuelled interest among citizens and discussion on conservation measures as prescribed by various committees, such as Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) headed by ecologist Dr. Madhav Gadgil, and High-Level Working Group, headed by eminent scientist K Kasturirangan.

In this article, we shall be discussing the Gadgil Report and Kasturirangan Committee Report on Western Ghats, various issues concerning the recommendations, keeping in mind the requirements of the preliminary as well as Main examination of the UPSC IAS Exam.

About Western Ghats

• Running parallel to India’s western coast, the Western Ghats are formed by a chain of mountains, with a span of around 30-50 km into the mainland.
• These mountains stretch through the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat, spanning a length around 1,600 km, with an area of around 140,000 km².
• The mountain range is discontinued only at Palghat Pass by a 30 km stretch.
• Various scientific studies suggest that the Western Ghats were formed due to the existence of a long fault parallel to the coast, extending from the Gulf of Cambay to Cape Comorin. It owes its origin to the faulted edge of a raised plateau.
• It predates the formation of the Himalayan mountain chain.
• Western Ghats are globally recognized as a region of immense importance in terms of exceptionally high biological diversity, endemism, high geological, cultural and aesthetic values.
• The Ghats act as a key barrier to check the western arm of the South west Monsoon shifting eastward, which in turn brings adequate rainfall to the western margin of the Ghats.
• Hosting over 400 species, seven different types of vegetation,1,741 species of flowering plants and 403 species of birds, the Western Ghats are recognized as one of the eight ‘Hottest Hotspots’ of biological diversity.

Learn in detail about Western Ghats in the linked article. 

Why was the Gadgil Committee Constituted?

• The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, constituted, by an order dated 2010, a Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) headed by Prof. Madhav Gadgil
• To assess the status of ecology, demarcate areas within the Western Ghats Region for notifying ecologically sensitive zones under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Suggest modalities for the conservation, protection and rejuvenation of the Western Ghats Region through a comprehensive consultation process with all stakeholders.
• Recommend modalities for the establishment of Western Ghats Ecology Authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, a professional body to manage the ecology, promote sustainable development in the region.

What were the Gadgil Committee Recommendations

• Indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in Ecologically Sensitive Zones 1 and 2.
• A phasing out of mining from ESZ1 by next five years, Phase-out of all chemical pesticides within five to eight years in ESZ I and ESZ II, plastic bags in three years.
• Continuing existing mining in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 2 under strict regulation with an effective social audit mechanism.
• Prohibited new red and orange category industries, such as coal based power plants, in Ecologically Sensitive Zones 1 and 2.
• The existing red and orange category industries should switch to zero pollution in Ecologically Sensitive Zones 1 and 2 by 2016, to be operated only under an effective social audit mechanism.
• Cultivation of Genetically Modified crops was banned in the entire region.
• No new special economic zones or hill stations, dams, railway lines or major roads in Ecologically Sensitive zone-1 and zone-2 areas.
• Ban on conversion of public lands to private lands, and on diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes in ESZ -1and ESZ -2 areas.
• Regulating tourism

What was the need for the Kasturirangan Committee subsequently?

• None of the six concerned states accepted the Gadgil committee report.
• In August 2012, a High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats under Kasturirangan was  constituted  to “examine” the Gadgil Committee report in a “holistic and multidisciplinary fashion in the light of responses received” from various stakeholders.

 What were the observations of the Kasturirangan Committee

 It stressed that “The future lies in working on green growth strategies that build on the natural endowment to create a vibrant economy”.

Like other reports on the topic, the said report also emphasized the importance of conserving the rich biodiversity of the Ghat.

• It classified 60% of the Western Ghats as a cultural landscape with human settlements, agriculture and plantations.
• Remaining area was termed as natural landscape, with37% “biologically rich” area, close to 60,000 sq km.
• Only 37% classified as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA)
• The report categorized areas on the basis of their ecological sensitivity.
• Activities affecting the ecology negatively were to be banned or restricted in highly sensitive zones.
• Opined that the “blanket prescription” approach of the Gadgil committee would be harmful to the economy.
• The environment-friendly, sustainable agriculture practices, methods adopted by Kodagu coffee planters were treated as a model.
• The report emphasized on providing incentives for “Green Growth” in the Ghat area. 

What it Recommended?

• Mining, Quarrying, Sand Mining, Thermal Power plants, Township and Area Development Projects, ‘Red Industries’ were banned.
• Hydroelectric power projects were based only at those places where there have been a standard ecological flow of 30%, and were restricted otherwise.
• Cumulative impact assessment for Hydro-electric power projects of India.
• The ‘Orange’ category industries (food processing industry) were not banned, but careful process and production techniques were prioritized to minimize environmental damage.
• Infrastructure projects related to transport to be approved only after cumulative impact.
• Railway transport systems have to be carefully planned, keeping in mind their negative impacts on wildlife and habitat.
• Emphasizes eco-friendly tourism through community ownership.
• Extension of entry 20  of the Concurrent List (Economic Planning) to consider environmental concerns as part of the planning

What were the Controversies

• Incursion by planters, mining activities and dwellings has resulted in loss of biodiversity.
• Experts are divided in their opinion over treating the entire Ghat region as a homogeneous entity, despite micro-level differences, calling for ground verification.
• Difference of opinion on cardamom cultivation being eco-friendly by a certain section of experts.
• There is not much emphasis on capacity building among traditional dwellers, Scheduled Tribe populations, which could possibly hamper their livelihood when recommendations are implemented.
• Possible dilution of the administrative power and role of the Gram Sabha as a decision-making body at grassroots level. Both the committees differed in their approach.
• Protests by various grassroots stakeholders across different states, against the recommendation of the report.

 Way Forward

•  A scientific study based on different concerns raised by experts should follow comprehensive debate dialogue for evolving consensus among various stakeholders.
• The reports and its recommendations must be debated at the grassroots level, and educating the masses in their own language of comfort has the potential to address many concerns which may have risen out of lack of information, misinformation.
• The demands and strategies for conservation should be comprehensively studied.
• The gaps and concerns should be addressed expeditiously  and recommendations for conservation should be implemented in the larger interest of the Ecologically sensitive regions.

Conclusion

While the Gadgil Committee report prioritized the Environment and recommended measures keeping it at the centre, the Kasturirangan  committee tried to balance the recommendations with development, simultaneously with safeguards. However, both the reports have evoked sharp reactions from the stakeholders, in terms of protest by various forums, common citizens.

While one major criticism rests on a view that the Kasturirangan report has watered the provision of the earlier report, there exists another view questioning the practicality of the earlier report, concerns of livelihood, small farming communities. Nevertheless, it is true that both the reports have garnered public attention and scrutiny, inviting nature enthusiasts and commercial establishments. Therefore, a threadbare discussion with all stakeholders, addressing concerns of all those affected, would result in effective conservation of the Ecologically Sensitive Western Ghats.

This article is relevant for the Environment , Ecology sections of the UPSC syllabus prescribed for Preliminary and Main Examination of UPSC Civil Service. 

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