**"Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - Part I - 11. Existing ESZs: Lessons Learnt :-" 4. Continued

Opinion
   24/09/2018
            1417.

11.4. Experience of working in the HLMC of the Mahabaleshwar Panchgani eco-sensitive zone :-
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The High Level Monitoring Committee (HLMC) appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests has been trying to achieve these objectives since its initial appointment in 2002 to 2005 and then later from 2008 to 2012.

Important decisions taken during the recent period include;

*Proactive and Development oriented decisions : -
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*1. Regional Plan :-

The HLMC scrutinized the entire regional plan and submitted its detailed report containing a vision statement, aims and objective, and important additions and modifications, to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), GoI. The HLMC report was fully accepted. The Regional Plan inclusive of HLMC report [Zonal Master Plan] has been approved by the MoEF and has been sent to the Government of Maharashtra (GoM) for final notification.

The HLMC appointed a sub-committee headed by Mr. David Cardoz to survey the waterfalls and sources of streams in the Zone in March 2010. Sources of streams and twelve waterfalls have been surveyed, identified and are now included in the Zonal Master Plan. Similarly, the rationalization of boundaries of a buffer zone around the ESZ is being studied by Prof. Jay Samant and Prof. Vijay Paranjpye. On completion of the study appropriate recommendations will be made to the Government.

*2 Tourism Master Plan :-

The Terms of Reference for the Tourism Master Plan have been finalized by the HLMC and given to the Maharastra tourism development corporation, MTDC. However, the MTDC has not yet prepared the Tourism Master Plan, which will have to be a crucial part of the Zonal Master Plan.

*3 Development Plans -

Guidelines for the finalisation of the Development Plans for the Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar Townships have been given to the Director of Town Planning (DTP) (GoM). These Development Plans (DPs) when completed by the DTP and approved by MoEF will be treated as the Sub-zonal Master Plans.

*4 Institutes for Climate Change :-

A decision has been taken to set up a Climate Change Institute in Mahabaleshwar which will be using advanced techniques and equipment for monitoring meteorological changes on a short term as well as long term basis. This institute will be located within the premises of the Meteorological Department located at Mahabaleshwar.

*5 New Gaothans – (Village settlements) :-

Twelve villages within the ESZ were facing major administrative and developmental problems because of the pending final declaration as Gaothans by the GoM. The HLMC has during its last meeting advised the Collector Satara to start approving applications for housing in proposed Gaothan areas and the ADTP was requested to incorporate the changes in the Zonal Master Plan accordingly.

It is expected that this decision will greatly ease the provision of basic facilities like connecting roads to these villages.

*6 Environment Awareness :-

An awareness program has been launched and printed material in Marathi and English, CDs, films etc. have been distributed/ are being distributed to schools, guides, hoteliers, gram panchayats, and govt. offices etc. who interface with public regularly. A website will be set up to exclusively deal with HLMC matters. Two interpretation centres in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani have been set up. More interpretation centres within the Region are being set up. Seminars for school children, teachers, principals and guides were organised to explain SEZ and to understand their responses.

*7 Involvement of local residents :-

*To interact closely with local citizens, meetings are held prior to every HLMC meeting with the following existing groups : -

Local administrative staff,
School teachers, voluntary groups, activists and stakeholders like:
Hoteliers Association,
Taxi and horse owners Associations,
Association of strawberry growers,
Association of guides, tour operators and adventure clubs,
Association of shop keepers and merchants.

All relevant information about the provisions of the ESZ, along with the historical, geographical, and biological and heritage-related information is made available to such groups and concerned citizens. These informal meetings helped the HLMC in understanding local difficulties and suggestions, many of which are reflected in its decisions.

We are actively encouraging formation of NGOs of local people for better interaction.

*8. Encouraging Eco-tourism :-

The HLMC has indicated to all agencies and stakeholders that there will have to be a major shift from leisure and conventional tourism to ecological, cultural and agro-tourism, etc. Meetings with guides have been held in this connection and for whom a training workshop is being organized. In order to divert tourist flow towards nature trails, horse rides, and hiking trails, maps have been prepared with the help of the Hoteliers Association.

*9. Regulatory and Restrictive Decisions :-

The HLMC had been approached with a proposal for a Ropeway Project across the Venna Lake. After several meetings and deliberations the HLMC has decided not to approve it, since it would not be permissible under the Ropeways Act, GoM, and since it is harmful to the MPESZ.

An Amusement Park was set up at Panchgani without following the correct procedures, and without obtaining permissions from the HLMC or the MoEF and not consistent with the ESZ criteria. The HLMC is trying to minimize the damage due to the Amusement Park and has directed the agency to carry out certain corrective measures. The proposed Zonal Master Plan (RP) has ensured that no such undesirable development takes place in future.

In order to curb unauthorized constructions, and the misuse of FSI, a decision has been taken to provide electric connections and other civic amenities only for approved development plans/ projects. The Bed and Breakfast concept which was being widely misused has been frozen temporarily till new guidelines contained in the ZMP are notified.

It was observed that a large number of mega-sized hoardings were being illegally put up, thereby blocking the natural and man-made heritage sites. A decision was taken to remove all unauthorized hoardings. The PWD has recently removed 58 such hoardings. Similar actions will be continued by other departments as well.

Collector Satara, Member Secretary of the HLMC, has initiated a drive to disallow plastic bags below 50 microns thickness and the local Municipal authorities and agencies have also been asked to do the same. The local authorities were advised to increase the quantum of fines for this infraction to act as a more effective deterrent. The larger establishments like hotels and residential schools have agreed to the procurement of bulk supply of milk and drinking water in order to reduce the use and disposal of plastic bags. Small entrepreneurs have been encouraged to produce paper, cloth and jute bags.

*10. Work in Progress :-

The GoM has approved funds for Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at both Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani, however the work being done is very slow and unsatisfactory and in the case of Panchgani, the implementation has been unsatisfactory and incorrect. The Municipal Councils are being monitored and have been asked to report to the HLMC on a monthly basis.

The HLMC has proposed the preparation of a roads and traffic management plan. Vehicles using alternative energy and a reliable public transportation system within the MPESZ will be the principal elements of this plan.

The HLMC has been working on plans and procedure for converting the ESZ into an organic farming zone. The successful example set by the Himachal Pradesh Government will be taken as the basis for this purpose. Issues such as eliminating plastics in organic farming will be dealt with in consultation with the local farming community

To be continued ..

OPINION :-

1. BHARATHAM IS BLESSED WITH NATURE, AND THE DUTY OF CITIZENS TO PRESERVE THEM;

2. CITIZENS MUST BE VIGILANT, AND KEEP AWAY FROM ENEMIES OF NATURE SUCH AS VARIOUS MAFIA GROUPS SUPPORTED BY POLITICAL PARTIES;

3. ANY DISTURBANCE TO THE NATURE BY THE ABOVE SAID DEMONS, CITIZENS INFORM THE AUTHORITIES, FOR PREVENTION IN TIME.

JAIHIND
VANDEMATHARAM