Gadgil Report on Western Ghats-Why the Controversies? Part 2

WHAT IS GADGIL PANEL?

In view of the environmental sensitivity and ecological significance of the Western Ghats region and the complex interstate nature of its geography, as well as possible impacts of climate change on this region, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, constituted, by an order dated 4 March 2010, a Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP). The panel was headed by Prof. Madhav Gadgil (read more about him)

Prof. Madhav Gadgil

The committee submitted its report to the Ministry of Environment and Forests(MoEF) in2011. As Gadgil Report suggested strong recommendations against illegal mining and other controversial activities, the government never wanted to release it (thanks to powerful mining lobby of South West India with deep pockets and political connections). Although Gadgil submitted the report in 2011, the Environment ministry did not release this report for media/public discussion. The Ministry intended to let the report gather dust, and take no action on it until everyone forgets about it. The world on the mass came to know about this report only after someone from Kerala filled an R.T.I in 2012 seeking a copy of this report.And Public Information Officer in Environment Ministry that they cannot (or do not want to) disclose Gadgil report because it is still being analysed and considered. And more importantly: Section 8 (1) (a) of the RTI Act exempts “information, disclosure of which would affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state”. The R.T.I applicant went all the way to Central Information Commission(CIC) to get the report released.

To know more about  CIC  click here

 WHAT WAS THE AIM OF THE PANEL?

• To assess the current status of ecology of the Western Ghats region and to categorise the Western Ghats Region according to the ecological sensitivity of the area into Ecologically Sensitive Zones under the Environment (Protection) Act. 

• To make recommendations for the conservation, protection and rejuvenation of the Western Ghats Region following a comprehensive consultation process involving people and Governments of all the concerned States. 
• To put guidelines to form WGEA (Western Ghats Ecological Authority), which will be a professional body, with the support of all concerned states in order to manage the ecology of the region, ensure its sustainable development and to protect the Western Ghats and its biodiversity

WHAT DID THE PANEL DO?                                                  

The panel designated the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and, assigned three levels of Ecological Sensitivity to different regions of it. These are termed as Ecologically Sensitive Zone 1 (ESZ1), Ecologically Sensitive Zone 2 (ESZ2) and Ecologically Sensitive Zone 3 (ESZ3).  ESAs as those areas that are ecologically and economically very important, but, vulnerable to even mild disturbances and hence demand conservation. The extents of existing Protected Areas plus ESZ1 will not normally exceed 60% of the total area. The extent of area covered by existing Protected Areas plus ESZ1 and ESZ2 together will be around 75% and the extent of ESZ3 will normally be around 25% of the total area.  The panel furthermore put forward regulations and recommendations regarding the activities that should be carried out in each zones so that the Western Ghats will be ensured protection and sustainable development.

WHAT WERE THE RECOMMENDATIONS?

1. WGEEP recommends that no new DAMS BASED ON LARGE SCALE STORAGE BE PERMITTED IN ESZ1. Since both the Athirappilly and Gundia hydel project sites fall in ESZ1, these projects should not be accorded environmental clearance. 
2. No new thermal plants should be allowed in ESZ1.  Existing power plants should be subjected to strict regulations and social audit. Zero pollution is required for new power plants in ESZ3. 
3. New ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCES FOR MINING/QUARRIES/SAND MINING in ESZ1 and ESZ2 SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN. Mining in ESZ1 should be phased out by 2016 and continuation of existing mining in ESZ2 should be under strict regulation with an effective system of social audit. Illegal mines should be stopped immediately. 
4. In ESZ1 and ESZ2, NO NEW POLLUTING (RED AND ORANGE CATEGORY) INDUSTRIES, which would include coal-based power plants, should be permitted to be established; the existing red and orange category industries should be asked to switch to zero pollution by 2016, again with an effective system of social audit. 
5. WGEEP suggests that the final categorization of the Zones must be BASED ON EXTENSIVE INPUTS FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL BODIES, namely, Gram Panchayats, Taluk Panchayats, Zilla Parishads, under the overall supervision of the WGEA, State level Ecology Authorities and District Ecology Committees. 
6. Banning of plastic bags and genetically modified crops across the Ghat. 
7. Special Economic Zones and new hill stations should not be permitted 
8. Road and other infrastructural EXPANSION PLANS in ESZ1 is to be submitted for Environmental Impact Analysis(EIA) scrutiny by Local Planning Authority before execution of projects, especially AFTER ASSESSING THE COST-BENEFITS CONSIDERING ECOLOGICAL COSTS AND PUBLIC BENEFITS.  
9. Usage of eco-friendly building material and construction methods, minimising the use of steel, cement and sand, providing water harvesting methods, non-conventional energy and waste treatment. 
10. Filling of marshes or wetlands and introduction of alien invasive species are not permitted. 
11. Usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides should be phase out, through a system of positive incentives, within five years. 
12. No new railway lines and major roads, highways and express ways should be allowed in ESZ1 except where it is highly essential (as in case of Goa). These should be subjected to EIA, strict regulation and social audit.

FORMATION OF WESTERN GHATS ECOLOGICAL AUTHORITY (WEGA)- 

WGEA should be a statutory authority appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, enjoying powers under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. District Ecology Committees should be formed in all Western Ghats districts. These District Ecology Committees should work in collaboration with the district level Zilla Parishad/ Zilla Panchayat Biodiversity Management Committees, as well as District Planning Committees. WGEA should strive to promote a participatory, bottom-up approach to conservation, sustainable development and eco-restoration of the Western Ghats. 

There should be 24 members in the WEGA including the chairman. The members should preferably be from the states of Western Ghats. The chairman should be a retired judge of the Supreme Court or an eminent ecologist who has contributed substantially towards the protection of Western Ghats. The members will include 

• Official representatives from various environmental protection boards of government 
• Civil society representatives one from each State of the Western Ghats 
• Members from State Western Ghats Ecology Board 
• An eminent conservation biologist 
• An eminent environmental lawyer. 
• An eminent social Scientist/economist/sociologist. 
• An eminent agricultural scientist/Professor. 
• An eminent landscape ecologist. 
• A representative of a prominent tribal group

All of them should preferably be from the Western Ghat region.