The Western Ghats, a prominent mountain range in India, has been the subject of much debate and discussion regarding its ecological significance and preservation. Recently, the Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the legitimacy of the Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committees on Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
The Concept of Eco-Sensitive Areas
Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are regions identified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) around Protected Areas, National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries under the Environment Protection Act 1986. The primary objective of marking these areas is to regulate certain activities of human interference that might have adverse impacts on the delicate ecosystem surrounding the preserved areas.
Insight into the Public Interest Litigation
In the recent PIL, the petitioner appealed to the apex court for non-fulfillment of the recommendations proposed by the Western Ghats Ecologically Expert Panel (Gadgil Committee Report) and the High-Level Working Group (Kasturirangan Committee Report). The petitioner challenged the 2018 draft notification by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, asking the court to declare it as ultra vires due to probable infraction of the Right To Life of the citizens of the Western Ghats.
Supreme Court’s Verdict on the PIL
However, the Supreme Court refuted the petition, stating that the draft notification challenged in 2018 was succeeded by a fifth draft notification that emerged in July 2022. This latest draft forbids practices like mining, setting up thermal power plants, and ‘Red’ category industries in the ESA. The court refrained from exercising its jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution.
Understanding the Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committees
The Gadgil Committee, or the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), suggested the entire Western Ghats, spread over six states and 44 districts, be declared as ESA with limited development allowed in graded zones. In contrast, the Kasturirangan committee emphasized balancing environmental protection and development. Rather than designating the entire Western Ghats as ESA, it proposed that only 37% of the area should come under ESA.
The Significance of the Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, a chain of mountains parallel to India’s western coast, play a crucial role in influencing the Indian monsoon weather patterns, which facilitate the region’s warm tropical climate. Home to 325 globally threatened species, this biodiversity hotspot faces several threats.
Threats Confronting Western Ghats
Urbanization, agricultural expansion, livestock grazing, along with a population of about 50 million living within its vicinity, pose significant threats to the Western Ghats. Biodiversity-related issues such as forest loss, habitat fragmentation, and degradation, as well encroachment and conversion, further endangers this region. Climate change has also intensified its impact, with floods ravaging the ghat areas of Kerala thrice in the past four years. Moreover, industrialization is likely to cause further damage to the fragile landscape of the region.
Necessity of a Holistic Approach
Given the changing climate conditions, which could impact people’s livelihoods and the nation’s economy on a wider scale, it is essential to preserve these endangered ecosystems. A comprehensive approach addressing the threats and demands on forest land, products, and services is urgently needed, based on scientific studies and consensus among various stakeholders.
Previous UPSC Civil Services Examination Question (PYQ)
The 2016 question related to the Western Ghats was as follows: Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, which are often in the news, are associated with (a) constitutional reforms (b) Ganga Action Plan (c) linking of rivers (d) protection of Western Ghats. The correct answer is (d), as both reports pertain to the protection of the Western Ghats.