SVKMs Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies,

Mumbai

Environment Management

End-term project report

Madhav Gadgil report on Western Ghats

Date: 23 November 2013

Submitted By:
Varun Agarwal.. (D005)
Sanket Guhagarkar.... (D020)
Piyush Jain. (D029)
Bhuvan Malik.... (D037)
Sarthak Mohanty.... (D039)
Suraj Amrutkar... (D059)

Madhav Gadgil report on Western Ghats

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Table of Contents
Introduction-Western Ghats ............................................................................................................ 3
Why was Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel formed? ............................................................. 3
Ecologically Sensitive Zones .......................................................................................................... 4
Zonal Recommendations ................................................................................................................ 4
General Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 5
Controversies surrounding Gadgil report........................................................................................ 5
Learnings and Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 6
References: ...................................................................................................................................... 7

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Introduction-Western Ghats
"The Western Ghats" refers to a chain of mountain ranges running parallel to the coastline of the Arabian Sea
in the western part of India which is approximately 1500 km long and is almost unbroken barring the

Palakkad Gap in Kerala. It extends from the river Tapi in the north to Kanyakumari, the
southernmost tip of the subcontinent. These hills are characterized by abundance in biodiversity and
play a pivotal role in maintaining security of water resources across peninsular India. The geography
of these ranges is complex because of their interstate nature and this region is ecologically significant
and environmentally sensitive.

Why was Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel formed?

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, by an order dated 4 March 2010,
constituted a Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP). Its aim was to study the possible
impacts of climate change on this region considering the sensitivity of environment, ecological
importance of the complex nature of its geography spread across many states. The Panel was tasked
with following functions:
To assess the present status of ecology of the Western Ghats.
To identify areas in the Western Ghats Region that need to be notified as ecologically
sensitive and to recommend for notification of such areas as ecologically sensitive zones
under the Environment Act, 1986.
The Panel shall also review the existing reports such as the Mohan Ram Committee Report,
decisions of the Supreme Court, and recommendations of the National Board for Wildlife and
consult all concerned State Governments.
To make recommendations for the conservation and rejuvenation of the Western Ghats
Region following a consultation process involving people and all concerned state
governments.
To suggest steps for effective implementation of the notifications issued by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests declaring specific areas in the Western Ghats Region as ecosensitive zones under the Environment Act, 1986.
To recommend the measures for the establishment of Western Ghats Ecology Authority
under the Environment Act, 1986 which will be a professional body to manage the ecology of
the region and to ensure its sustainable development with the support of all concerned states.
The Ministry then asked the Panel to include in its mandate:
(a) The entire stretch of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, which includes the coastal region
(b) To examine Gundia and Athirappilly Hydroelectric projects
(c) Recommendations regarding the moratorium on new mining licenses in Goa
Effect of industrialization on the biodiversity of Western Ghats:
Large scale industrialization with the construction of railways, dams, roads, houses and mining
activities have had a huge detrimental effect on the bio-diversity of the region. From 1920 to 1990,
the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu lost about 40% of their original forest cover. Sacred
groves have been felled, species have been destroyed and natural habitats are getting fragmented.
Introduction of exotic fishes and waste dumping in the rivers has led to the decline in the population
of endemic species of fishes. Operational wastes from the mining activities have led to decrease in
soil fertility and the ground water level has also decreased severely affecting the lives of the local
tribes and villagers. Thermal power plants have led to the rising temperatures in the surrounding
areas.

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Ecologically Sensitive Zones

An Ecologically Sensitive Area is a bio-climactic unit wherein human impacts have already caused
irreversible changes in the structure of the biological communities and their natural habitats and
which need special protection. The Indian Constitution gives the Union Ministry of Environment and
Forests the right to take steps for protection and improvement of environment quality as well as
prevention and control of environmental pollution, under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection)
Act 1986. It also gives the central Government the right to prohibit and restrict the location of
industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of considerations like
maximum allowable limits of concentration of pollutants for an area, biological diversity of an area,
environmentally compatible land use or proximity to Protected Areas, under Section 5 (I) of the
Environment (Protection) Rules 1986. In January, 1989, one of the first instances of the use of these
legal provisions was in Murud-Janjira, a coastal village in Raigad District of Maharashtra. Since
then, various regions in the areas of Doon Valley, Dahanu (Maharasthra), Aravalli, Numaligarh,
Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani, Matheran, Mount Abu and Sultanpur have been declared as Ecologically
Sensitive Areas.
In the year 2000, a committee was set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, under the
chairmanship of Shri Pronab Sen, for identification of parameters for designation ecologically
sensitive areas in India. In September, 2000, the Pronab Sen Committee report was released,
following which, the Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel (WGEEP) had proposed that the
complete Western Ghats region be declared as an Ecologically Sensitive Area as the Western Ghats
are the home to over a thousand species of flora and fauna, many of which are unique to the region.
It was proposed that the entire region, based on sensitivities, be divided into three different zones
(1) Regions of Highest Sensitivity, in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 1 (ESZ1),
(2) Regions of High Sensitivity, in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 2 (ESZ2) and
(3) Regions of Moderate Sensitivity, in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 3 (ESZ3).

Apart from above 3 Eco-Sensitive zones, the existing wild life sanctuaries national parks in the
Western Ghats region are covered under the broad category of Protected Areas.

Zonal Recommendations
Some of the important Zonal recommendations of Madhav Gadgil committee are as stated below:
Mining Recommendations:
No new licences should be given for mining in both ESZ1 and ESZ2.
1. In ESZ1, The existing mining activity should be phased out within 5 years.
2. In ESZ2, existing mining should be strictly regulated and should be subject to social audit.
3. In ESZ3, new mining licences can be allocated only in case of scares minerals which are not
available on planes.
Industry Operation:
Industries with in SEZ1 or ESZ2 which fall in red/orange category need to achieve zero
pollution status by 2016 and be subject to strict regulation and social audit.
Green/blue category industries that are based on local bio-sources in the region should be
promoted.

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Power plants:
No large scale hydro, thermal or wind energy plant can be set up in the ESZ1 or ESZ2
regions. Need to promote biomass based and solar sources for local energy needs. Small scale
hydropower projects that are locally managed and are off grid are permissible. In ESZ2 and
ESZ3 however, river hydropower projects can be promoted after the satisfactory impact
analysis of the river basin.
Existing thermal power plants need to be strictly regulated and should be obliged to promote
alternate use/disposal of its effluents.
Dams on rivers cannot higher than 3 meters in ESZ1 and higher than 15 meters in ESZ2.
Transport & Tourism:
No new railway lines or major road can be constructed in ESZ1 and ESZ2 regions, unless it is
highly essential. E.g. Konkan Railways
In ESZ2 and ESZ3 construction of new roads may be allowed under strict regulation on basis
of tourism master plan.
Strict restrictions on exploiting the rich flora and fauna present in the region for commercial
and illegal purposes. E.g. Tiger Safari
Agriculture and Animal husbandry:
Organic agricultural practices should be promoted.
Use of chemical pesticides needs to be phased out in the coming years.
Monoculture plantation of exotic plants like eucalyptus should be discouraged
Genetically Modified crops should not be allowed in Western Ghats.
Planting of endemic species should be encouraged.
Extraction of medicinal plants needs to be strictly regulated.
Existence of local endemic species of flora and fauna need to be safeguarded from the
invasion by alien species.

General Recommendations
All the major new construction in the ecologically fragile Western Ghats region should be
made eco-friendly.
Provision of 'conservation charges' for those farmers who use indigenous seeds for cultivation
should be done.
To protect nature, promote homestead tourism as in Sikkim, which will also provide
employment to local people.
Use of plastic bags in tourist spots in these regions should be phased out.
Proper documentation of all the flora and fauna species of this region should be made to track
their existence and for protecting them.
Endemic species of freshwater fish of socio economic and biological importance should be
included into with the Indian Wildlife Protection Act.

Controversies surrounding Gadgil report

Madhav Gadgil had stated that no Environmental Clearance should be given to any large
scale dams in zone 1 and zone 2 areas. Madhav Gadgil said that dams are being built for the
benefit of contractors and not to irrigate land for famers or generate energy. Kerala
Governments official stand is that they wont accept the recommendations given by Madhav
Gadgil because they think that most of his suggestions are not practical in nature. Gadgil also
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gave a red signal to Athirappally hydro project but as per the government it is essential for
our states energy security.
Keralas total hydel potential was estimated to be 6,000 MW, only 35 per cent of it had been
harnessed so far. But Gadgil has instead suggested in his report decommissioning of dams
which are 35 to 40 years old. This posed a question mark on the existing and proposed power
projects as it would have plunged Kerala state into darkness. Gadgil did not make concrete
proposals on Revenue loss which government would suffer while implementing the
recommendations.
Gadgil also recommended that no new mining licenses should be given in zone 1 and 2.
Government must stop all its existing mining operation in Zone 1 by 2016. It should also stop
illegal mining activities immediately. However no Government wanted to accept it because
of powerful lobbying power in mining industry. In spite of all of this, Gadgil submitted his
report in 2011. But Environment ministry did not release this report for media/public
discussion. Someone from Kerala filled a R.T.I in 2012 seeking a copy of this report and
Public Information Officer in Environment Ministry said We cannot disclose Gadgil report
because it is still being analyzed 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 CIC.
Since Government did not like Gadgils recommendations, they formed a new committee
headed by Kasturi Rangan to study the report of Gadgil Panel. Gadgil replied that I have
merely pointed out many inconvenient truths, but Government is trying to suppress my report
and evade a democratic debate on its recommendations and this new committee is keeping
me completely out of the loop while assessing my report.
Gadgil also said that Do not give permission for new mines in Zone 1 and 2. And whatever
mines are operational in zone 1, they should be closed by 2016. He also has asked to shut
down illegal mining immediately. This has greatly upset the mining lobby. As a result their
agents started provoking the farmers and tribals in Western Ghats region with ill-motivated
rumours that Gadgil has recommended to throw them out of their villages and make wildlife
sanctuaries. As a result there were demonstrations of protests by some groups of farmers and
tribals against Gadgils report.

Learnings and Conclusion

India is one of the most polluted countries in this world. In spite of knowing this fact we do
not learn and go on to destroy our nature, we already have 2 cities in top 10 worlds most
polluted cities.
The Western Ghats is one of the worlds most heavily populated Biodiversity Hotspots
providing for and supporting 400 million people through water for drinking, transport,
irrigation, and hydroelectric power, together with food and resources to sustain livelihoods.
So, it high time we save it.
Sustainable development is the need of the hour. There are many ways to sustain this
delicate ecological balance like organic farming, homestead tourism, eco-friendly
construction of buildings etc.
Neither development nor conservation alone will help, man has to go in hand in hand with
nature to sustain himself and his future generations.
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References:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/about/summary-statistics#TrendsInBiodiversityStatus
http://envfor.nic.in/sites/default/files/GOI_-MoEF_order_RE-2.pdf
http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/wg-23052012.pdf
http://www.cepf.net/Documents/final.westernghatssrilanka_westernghats.ep.pdf
http://mrunal.org/2013/02/enb-gadgil-report-on-western-ghats-why-controversies-explainedpart-4-of-4.html

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