Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - Part II : Actionable points for the WGEA : Annexure-II: Western Ghats Expert Group: Organizing a process of comprehensive consultation, Annexure-III: Western Ghats Expert Group: Organizing an Information System : Annexure-IV: Western Ghats Expert Group: Time frame -Minutes of the Second Meeting of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel held on 7th May 2010 at 10.00 am at BSI, Coimbatore - Site visits and public consultations :
Opinion
13/01/2019
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SUB : Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - Part II : Actionable points for the WGEA : Annexure-II: Western Ghats Expert Group: Organizing a process of comprehensive consultation, Annexure-III: Western Ghats Expert Group: Organizing an Information System : Annexure-IV: Western Ghats Expert Group: Time frame -Minutes of the Second Meeting of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel held on 7th May 2010 at 10.00 am at BSI, Coimbatore - Site visits and public consultations :
Ref : Site visits and public consultations :-
The panel discussed the site visit plan and public consultation processes to arrive at the core issues of conservation process as proposed by Sh. B. J. Krishnan which is given in the agenda at Annexure C. After detailed deliberations the Panel agreed to employ the framework suggested by Sh. B.J. Krishnan and Prof. Madhav Gadgil’s as given in Annexure – C of the agenda.
The detailed plans for various states will be drawn up by the following members:
1. Gujarat and Maharashtra: Madhav Gadgil and Renee Borges
2. Goa: Nandkumar Kamat and Ligia Noronha
3. Karnataka: KN Ganeshaiah and Vidya Nayak
4. Tamilnadu: B J Krishnan and Sukumar
5. Kerala: V S Vijayan
The members of the Panel are requested to submit details of themes, responsibility and schedule of site visits / consultations in respect of each of their States in the Western Ghats region as per the details given in Annexure C of the agenda to Prof. Sukumar, CES, IISc, Bengaluru for inclusion in the budgetary proposal being prepared by him.
The Panel noted that the official term of Dr V S Vijayan as Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board may end by end of May 2010. His current position on WGEEP is in his
official capacity. WGEEP would, of course, welcome the new Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board as an ex-officio member. However, given Dr V S Vijayan’s extensive involvement in WGEEP thus far, and his deep knowledge of the field situation in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, he may be co-opted as a member of WGEEP for the remaining tenure of WGEEP in his personal capacity, in the eventuality of his ceasing to be the Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board.
VII. The Panel suggested that Prof. Sukumar, CES, IISc, Bengaluru will develop a detailed proposal along with the budgetary requirements towards:
1. Commissioned papers
2. Brainstorming sessions
3. Site visits and public consultations
As noted below Drs Ganeshaiah, Murthy, Daniels and Prasad will develop another proposal for developing a quantitative data base on Western Ghats based on available information that will provide an objective basis for delineation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas.
The proposals then will be submitted to the Ministry for financial assistance.
VIII. Brainstorming Session on Criteria for deciding Ecologically Sensitive Areas
Regarding the agenda items related to criteria for deciding on Ecologically Sensitive Areas, Dr. Ranjit R.J. Daniels who was co-opted by the Panel presented a paper on the criteria
for deciding Ecologically Sensitive Areas which focussed on the following steps : -
1. Define ecological sensitivity
2. Classify the entire Western Ghats into landscapes of varying levels of ecological sensitivity
3. Grade the different landscapes along a scale of decreasing sensitivity; example Grade I being the most sensitive, Grade II less sensitive and so on
4. List out the salient physiographic and ecological attributes adopted in grading landscapes
5. Prepare a map of the entire Western Ghats delineating landscapes by their respective ecological sensitivity grade
6. The map will generally guide the delineation of any landscape as ecologically sensitive area (ESA)
7. Biological communities and species can be used as tools for prioritizing landscapes
8. Biological communities and species should have one or more characteristics such as being relic, representative, endemic, endangered, of great human use value, etc
9. All other values being equal, priority should be accorded to landscapes that are likely to complement ongoing conservation efforts when delineated as ESA.
10. Assessment at 3 levels is needed such as: Landscapes wherein Topography and climate can predict the ecological sensitivity of landscapes and the most sensitive landscapes have shown the least resilience which has been assessed based on our understanding of trends of change in communities of woody plants, amphibians and birds. Landscapes have been classified in six grades viz., Grade I and Grade II are divided on the basis of altitudes, Grade III as watersheds, Grade IV as hill–coast ecotones, Grade V as cultural landscapes and Grade VI landscapes that have shown the most resilience.
Biological Communities of special sensitivity include those that are relic, representative, of restricted range, with high species richness, with high levels of endemism, of high ecological service value and with high values of endemic, endangered, sacred/venerated and human use species .
The Chairman while summing up the discussion as the criteria to demarcate areas as Ecologically Sensitive Areas in the Western Ghats region, opined that the Panel has been considering the available guidelines as contained in the Pranob Sen Committee Report as well as the experience thus far in already notified Ecologically Sensitive Areas of Matheran, Mahableshwar-Panchgani and Dahanu. He also observed that there are a number of practical problems in employing criteria as given in the Sen Committee Report.
For instance, it was proposed that the area of occupancy of an endemic species needs to be protected in its entirety. The Western Ghats harbours well over one thousand endemic species of flowering plants, fish, frogs, birds and mammals amongst the better known groups of organisms, and no doubt thousands more amongst less studied groups including insects. Amongst themselves these would cover the entire geographical extent of the Western Ghats and all conceivable habitats, including many disturbed ones such as roadsides. There are thus obvious difficulties in operationalizing this, as well as other recommendations of the Sen Committee.
It was also noted that the experience of ‚India’s notified ecologically sensitive areas‛ has been summarized in a report published by Kalpavriksh in 2009. It narrates the experiences of three areas of interest to WGEEP, namely, Dahanu, Matheran and Mahabaleshwar. In all these cases the identification of ESAs began with interests of specific groups, in particular, the Bombay Environmental Action Group, in protecting these particular areas. In contrast, WGEEP would have to assess the situation over the entire stretch of Western Ghats and then identify particular areas as appropriate for designation as ESAs, assigned to different levels of priority. In all cases so far, the initiative has come from above, and not from the ground level. Surely, WGEEP should not impose its recommendations in this fashion from above, and must promote a process of broad-based public consultations from the ground level up to fulfill its mandate.
The Panel also opined that it should look at the global-best practices and accordingly pick up the best suitable for the needs of the Western Ghats Region.
The Panel suggested that a project on assessing the levels of eco-sensitivity along the Western Ghats is to be developed by Dr. Ranjit Daniels, Dr. Pramod, Dr. M.S.R. Murthy and Dr. Ganeshaiah with Dr. Murthy as nodal person and should be submitted to MoEF for financial assistance. The outcome of this project would be used by the Panel in demarcating areas as Ecologically Sensitive Areas in the Western Ghats Region.
The Chairman invited Dr. Pratim Roy and Dr. Latha, the co-opted experts for that meeting, to make their observations.
Dr. Pratim Roy, Director Keystone Foundation while participating in the brainstorming session made the following observations : -
1. Instead of identifying all those areas which are ecologically sensitive and perhaps “re-discovering the wheel” why don‟t we demarcate all areas which have ecologically destructive or severely unsustainable practices? Then the areas which are left out could be the landscape that requires to be preserved, and the value of conservation would thus be enhanced.
2. Fragmentation is the biggest issue. If the panel arrives at how to connect the fragmented areas then the flow of ecological processes, linkages and continuity will start to tick again. This would include pollination flows, river valleys, upstream and downstream linkages.
3. The Panel has an opportunity to do something unique here. In terms of classification of ecology and inventories; if people on the ground, i.e. communities across 51 districts are to be involved in this exercise then it will become truly a partnership between science and people‟s movements. SWGM (Save Western Ghats Movement) can help the Expert Panel as much as possible to make this paradigm shift.
4. It may be desirable to have broad criteria and sub-criteria to capture niches and special areas such as water-falls and water bodies.
5. Western Ghats should be divided into 4 zones – North, Central, South Central, and South – in each of these areas we could contact local stakeholders – tribals and non-tribals whose livelihoods and lives depend on the natural resources that are found in this region such as plantations, rivers, forests, NTFPs, cultural spaces – if their insights can come forth and they can be a part of this consultation process – then it will be unique and relevant to these changing times. Need for wide dissemination of information such as radio, post cards as well as places where web-based inputs through open source software.
6. Two examples were given to expand on this concept – Hill wetlands in the Nilgiris – we have surveyed 38 wetlands and have detailed analysis of ecological and livelihood status in those areas. We could plug that in the larger Western Ghats Wetlands database. Another example is Non-Timber Forest Produce – through our network we could provide data from across the Western Ghats on the communities and their dependence on NTFPs, the current practices, trade and business, and the ecological aspects of sustainable harvesting. Perspectives of ancestral domains and home ranges need to be brought in as a current tool for delineation purposes of hills, valleys and plains – which connect culture, ecology, social systems and economy of the region.
7. A strategy of less intensive growth pattern and softer / greener industries in parts of the Western Ghats may enable the promotion of eco-enterprises such as eco-tourism, value addition of local products, and viable small cottage industries which are ecologically sustainable. The Keystone Foundation could share their 16 years of local enterprise experience in promoting contextual ventures which improve ecology and biodiversity.
8. A series of panchayats as in the case of the People‟s Biodiversity Register or 9 districts of NBR (Nailigiris Biosphere Reserve) may be taken up for a local level consultation process to identify ecological and connected social issues. The Western Ghats Fly Through map hosted by the Keystone Foundation is intended to be an open source and participatory exercise through which other stakeholders and interest-groups can contribute with information on their local ecosystems and environmental issues in their area.
Dr. A Latha from River Research Centre, Kerala, while participating in the brainstorming session during the meeting made the following important points / observations relating to Western Ghats ecology and its conservation : -
1. The people living within ESAs when declared should own the ESA concept and be ready to cooperate in its effective implementation. Also, there is need to sensitize the people and rope in the support and consensus of local self-governments, MLAs and MPs early in the process before finally declaring ESAs.
2. There should be a Zonal approach to declaration of ESAs in the long run. Within a larger declared ESA Zone, there can be smaller zones of ‘no touch or no more development’ and there could be zones of ‘development with caution’ just like in the case of the CRZ Notifications.
3. As far as possible, highly ecologically sensitive river basins or landscapes with considerable representation and extent of PAs, IBAs, Elephant Reserves etc. within them can be considered for ESAs.
4. The extent of destruction / degradation / human intervention could be a criterion for deciding ESAs. For instance, the extent of dammed stretches in a river basin, extent of dried up river stretches below dams and diversions, extent of mined catchments, extent of catchments with monoculture plantations etc. could be criteria for deciding ESAs along with biogeographical aspects. For instance the entire Kannan Devan Hills village in Munnar High Ranges is a potential ESA within the larger Munnar landscape.
5. Along with cultural aspects, the traditional hunting and gathering areas of primitive hunter-gatherer tribes needs to be preserved for posterity. Hence, while declaring ESAs such areas may be given high priority.
6. Once the ESAs have been declared on a Zonal basis, perspective management plans with clear prescriptions of what can be allowed and what cannot be allowed within the ESA can be worked out for each ESA. ESA Management Committees can be formed which are multidisciplinary in nature with representatives from different departments, local self-governments, MLAs , MPs, NGOs and grass-roots organizations etc. working within that ESA. They can work under the proposed Western Ghats Ecology Authority to prepare perspective plans for the respective ESA. Separate monitoring committees can be set up to oversee effective implementation.
7. Along with the declaration of the ESAs the expert panel should also recommend restorative measures in the ESA as part of the perspective planning process to be taken up after declaration based on the context.
The Keystone Foundation and River Research Centre, Kerala, were requested to submit innovative ideas / success stories for effective implementation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas Notifications.
To be continued ..
NOTE :
Importance of Forest Conservation in Bharatham
Forests not only provide wood but they directly control floods, drought, soil erosion etc. Conservation of Forests is of vital importance for India. Environmental scientists have calculated what a mature tree of gives to the environment:
Releases Oxygen,
Checks air pollution,
Control moisture and prevents water pollution,
Prevents soil erosion and increases soil fertility,
Provides shelter to birds and nests.
There is great necessity for conserving forests. With the increase in the Indian population, the area under forest in gradually decreasing.
The following steps are important towards conservation of forests are : -
1. Celebrating ‘Van Mahotsava’ every year during the rainy season when saplings can be planted,
2. Increasing forest area by afforestation,
3. Planting trees on waste lands or lands lying idle.
4. Stopping the felling of immature trees,
5. While felling a mature tree attention should be give to not damaging any neighboring trees,
6. Regular measures should be taken to protect the forests from disease and forest fire by spraying necessary insecticides and clearing dry leaves and branches.
7. Overgrazing of cattle, goat etc. on pastures cause roots to be uprooted, leaving the soil loose so prone to soil erosion. Therefore, animal-land ratio should be strictly maintained as in the croft-type animal rearing in Scotland,
8. Most importantly, awareness has to be generated in each person regarding the importance of trees and forest. To promote forest conservation, proper utilization and generation, the Indian Govt. has set up the Central Forest Research Institute at Dehradun, Uttaranchal.
In the dry season when the branches and leaves of the trees become very dry, winds blowing through the forest cause these dry twigs or leaves to brush against each other or wave to and fro along with the wind on dry stony surfaces creating a spark which quickly kindles a forest fire. Once the forest fire starts, it begins consuming not only the dry leaves, twigs etc but also the live trees and animals. The intensity and duration of forest fires depend on the shape of the forest, direction of wind and it speed etc. Forest fires may also start because of human negligence, or lightning and other factors. To control forest fires many countries have voluntary organisation.
Bharatham has taken number of steps for forest conservation. In India the fire brigade, etc. copes with such calamity which occurs often in summer in the Chotanagpur plateau. Recently, satellites have been used to detect and control forest fires. Often spraying of water, foam etc. from motor vehicles, helicopters, light planes etc. are needed. Conserve Forests to save human beings.
OPINION :
1. LDF AND UDF BOTH DESTROYED KERALA, WESTERN GHATS, SUPPORTING AND EARNING FINANCIAL BENEFITS FROM ALL MAFIA GROUPS;
2. THIS REPORT WAS SUBMITTED MANY YEARS BACK, BUT KERALA UNDER THESE TWO STUPID FRONTS RULE, NEVER BOTHERED, AND NOT WILLING TO IMPLEMENT;
3. BUT ACCORDING TO PRESS REPORTS THIS GADGIL REPORT IS REJECTED BY KERALA, KARNATAKA AND TAMIL NADU
4. GUJARAT, MAHARASHTRA, AND GOA GOVERNMENTS ALREADY STARTED IMPLEMENTING THE REFORMS;
5. THESE UDF AND LDF : BOTH FRONTS MAIN JOB TO ABUSE BJP, RSS, AND PM MODIJI AND HIS PROGRESSIVE REFORMS;
6. I AM VERY SAD TO SEE THE STUPIDITY OF KERALA PEOPLE, THEY ARE MORE INTERESTED IN PARTY FLAGS AND THE UNDUE BENEFITS FROM THE RESPECTIVE PARTIES;
7. NONE IS IMPARTIAL ABOVE CASTE, RELIGION, CREED AND OTHER MAN MADE DIVISIONS OF THE SOCIETY;
8. POLITICIANS EXPLOIT PEOPLE BY KEEPING THEM IN VARIOUS DIVISIONS;
9. RELIGIOUS HEADS ARE DEMONS, AND EQUALLY EXPLOIT THE PUBLIC, MORE THAN THAT THESE CARDINALS, BISHOPS, MOULVIES ETC, ARE ALL CHARACTERLESS, AND DO ALL ILLEGAL BUSINESS IN THE STATE, THIS IS WIDELY KNOWN OPEN SECRET;
10. PEOPLE MUST RAISE ABOVE ALL AND BREAK THE PRESENT DIRTY BUSINESS AND ASSOCIATIONS AMONG RELIGIOUS HEADS+MAFIA GROUPS+POLITICIANS, AND MAKE THEM ANSWERABLE TO THE SOCIETY.
LAST WORD :
1. COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT OF KERALA IS MORE INTERESTED IN ESCORTING WOMEN IN REPRODUCTIVE AGE TO SANNIDHANAM OF SABARIMALA -TO INSULT THE TEMPLE RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER THE STUPID COVER OF SC VERDICT;
2. THEN WHY THESE BUGGERS NOT IMPLEMENTING GADGIL REPORT, ANSWER THE PEOPLE IDIOTS.
3. THERE ARE MANY LIVE AND ENJOY THE SHARE OF THE CAKE, IN POLITICS BY JOINING AND SUPPORTING VARIOUS POLITICAL FRONTS ACCORDING TO THEIR CONVENIENCES SUCH AS VEERENDRA KUMAR AND HIS SON, VELLAPALLY FATHER AND SON COMBINATIONS, THESE HARD CORE BUSINESS MEN LIKES ARE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE KERALA SOCIETY, TAKE NOTE OF SUCH WEEDS, AND SIDELINE THEM IF YOU CAN'T ELIMINATE THEM FROM THE POLITICS ....
JAI HIND
JAI BHARATHAM
VANDE MATARAM
BHARAT MATA KI JAI
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