MADHAV GADGIL REPORT

2. The Madhav Gadgil Report: Preserving the Western Ghats Ecology

• The Madhav Gadgil Report, officially known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) report, is a significant environmental study commissioned by the Indian government in 2010.
• Led by ecologist Dr. Madhav Gadgil, the expert panel was tasked with assessing the ecological status of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity-rich mountain range along India's west coast.

3. Key Recommendations of the Report:

• Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs): The report recommended classifying 64% of the Western Ghats into three categories of Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs) - ESZ 1, ESZ 2, and ESZ 3.
• Environmental Protection: In ESZ 1, the most ecologically sensitive zone, all developmental activities like mining, construction of thermal power plants, and dams were to be stopped. Existing projects that had completed their shelf life were also recommended for decommissioning.
• Hydel Projects: The report advised against granting environmental clearance to hydropower projects like Athirappilly and Gundia that fell within ESZ 1.
• Mining in Goa: WGEEP recommended an indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in ESZs 1 and 2 of Goa. It also suggested phasing out mining in ESZ 1 by 2016 and continuing existing mining in ESZ 2 under strict regulations and social audits.
• Industries in Maharashtra: In the Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra (ESZs 1 and 2), no new polluting industries, including coal-based power plants, should be established. Existing industries in the red and orange categories were required to transition to zero pollution by 2016.
• Ban on Genetically Modified Crops: The report recommended prohibiting the cultivation of genetically modified crops in the Western Ghats to preserve the region's ecological balance.
• Sustainable Farming Practices: A ban on growing single commercial crops like tea, coffee, rubber, banana, and pineapple was proposed. Instead, the report emphasized adopting more sustainable farming approaches in the Western Ghats.
• Decentralization and Citizen Involvement: The report called for a bottom-to-top approach to environmental governance, granting more power to local authorities. It recommended the establishment of a Western Ghats Ecology Authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to ensure sustainable development and ecological management.

4. The Controversy and Implementation Challenges:

• The Gadgil Report sparked controversies and faced opposition from various quarters, especially industries and developers who were concerned about the potential economic impact of the stringent recommendations. Many states also raised objections, fearing adverse effects on local livelihoods.
• Due to the strong resistance and pressure, the central government did not immediately accept and implement all the recommendations of the report.
• Instead, a modified version known as the Kasturirangan Report (High-Level Working Group Report) was prepared in 2013, which eased some of the strict regulations proposed by the Gadgil Report.

5. Kasturirangan Committee

• The Kasturirangan Committee, officially known as the High-Level Working Group on the Western Ghats, was constituted in 2012 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in response to the recommendations made by the Madhav Gadgil-led Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP).
• The committee was tasked with reevaluating and reviewing the suggestions put forth by the Gadgil Commission regarding the conservation and management of the Western Ghats.

6. Key Objectives of the Kasturirangan Committee:

• Review Recommendations: The primary objective of the committee was to review the Gadgil Commission's report and assess its feasibility, considering the concerns of various stakeholders, including state governments and local communities.
• Identifying Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs): The committee aimed to identify and demarcate areas within the Western Ghats that required special conservation measures due to their ecological significance.
• Balanced Approach: The committee sought to strike a balance between environmental conservation and the region's developmental needs, taking into account economic activities, livelihoods, and social aspects.

7. Key Findings and Recommendations:

• Reduced Area under Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs): The Kasturirangan Committee proposed a reduction in the area designated as ESZs compared to the Gadgil Commission's recommendations. The committee identified 37% of the Western Ghats as ESZs, significantly less than the 64% suggested by the Gadgil panel.
• Categorization of Areas: The committee introduced a categorization of areas into cultural (human settlements) and natural (non-human settlements) regions. Cultural lands were proposed to be designated as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
• Three Categories of Activities: The committee classified activities within the ESZs into three categories - red, orange, and green. The red category included activities like mining, quarrying, and thermal power plants, which were banned. The orange category allowed regulated activities with appropriate permissions, while the green category permitted agricultural and horticultural practices.
• Local Participation: The Kasturirangan Committee emphasized the involvement of local communities in the decision-making process related to economic and developmental activities within the Western Ghats.

8. Western Ghats      

• The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Mountain Range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most ecologically significant regions in India.
• Stretching approximately 1,600 kilometers along the western coast, it covers six states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
• These ancient mountains are an essential ecological hotspot, holding immense biodiversity and playing a vital role in the country's environmental and climatic systems.

Image Source: The Hindu

9. Key Features of the Western Ghats:

• Biodiversity Hotspot: The Western Ghats are recognized as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, home to a wide array of plant and animal species, many of which are unique and endemic. It is estimated that around 30% of the region's flora and fauna species are found only in the Ghats.
• Forest Cover: The Ghats encompass diverse forest types, ranging from tropical rainforests to deciduous and montane forests. These forests play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance, regulating water flow, and providing habitat for a vast variety of species.
• Rivers and Water Sources: The Western Ghats are the source of numerous rivers that provide vital water resources to millions of people and agriculture in the surrounding areas. These rivers are the lifelines for several states and support extensive agricultural activities.
• Monsoon Influence: The Ghats significantly influence the Indian monsoon pattern. The mountains act as a barrier, forcing moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea to rise and cool, leading to heavy rainfall on the windward side and creating a rain shadow on the leeward side.
• Indigenous Communities: The Western Ghats are home to various indigenous communities with rich cultural traditions and knowledge of sustainable practices. Their lifestyles and traditional ecological wisdom are closely linked to the region's natural resources.

For Prelims: Madhav Gadgil Report, Kasturirangan Committee, Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs), Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), Western Ghats, and UNESCO World Heritage Site. For Mains: 1. Critically assess the challenges faced by the Madhav Gadgil Committee in garnering support for its ecological conservation proposals in the Western Ghats. (250 words).

 

Previous year Questions 1. 'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to (UPSC 2016) A. Constitutional reforms B. Ganga Action Plan C. Linking of rivers D. Protection of Western Ghats Answer: D

Source: The Indian Express