In light of the public objections and suggestions regarding the draft of the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) notification S.O. 3060(E), dated July 31, 2024, environmentalists have expressed deep concerns over what they perceive as yet another inadequate initiative by the Union government to safeguard one of India's two primary biodiversity hotspots, alongside the Eastern Himalayas.
Civil society groups find themselves compelled to accept these insufficient measures at the national level, a disheartening reality that may lead to severe consequences for our natural resources and become increasingly vulnerable to the global climate crisis. In this context, it's vital to recall the warning issued by the UN Secretary General during the last World Environment Day: "the battle to secure the planet's future will be won or lost in the next 18 months."
When comparing the robust recommendations of the Madhav Gadgil Committee to the significantly diluted proposals of the Kasturirangan Committee, it is evident that the latest suggestions from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) fall woefully short of preserving the wealth of biodiversity found in the Western Ghats.
Alarmingly, even these proposals are at risk of being further weakened by state governments, such as Karnataka, which seeks to reduce the designated eco-sensitive area by 4,000 square kilometers. The situation is concerning given that Karnataka currently has only about 21% of its land area under forest and tree cover, falling short of the national forest policy target of 33%.
Yet, the state government is unwilling to dedicate even this portion of its natural forests to necessary conservation efforts. The Western Ghats' forests, primarily comprised of small remaining patches, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. With each state in the range failing to meet the national forest policy target, the ongoing resistance from local political leaders against robust protective measures reflects a troubling trend affecting the country's overall ecological landscape.
Reports indicate that approximately 21% of India’s land area is covered by forests and trees, a figure that has been decreasing yearly, alongside high levels of pollution affecting vital natural resources like air, water, and soil.
The MoEF&CC’s repeated but half-hearted attempts to legally establish the ESA for the Western Ghats over the past decade have yielded no success, highlighting a disconcerting lack of awareness regarding the detrimental impacts of inadequate forest cover on the wellbeing of the population.
Despite hundreds of recommendations and comments from civil society over the years underscoring these critical concerns, the MoEF&CC and the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) continue to approve the diversion of pristine forestland for various developmental projects, marking a disheartening trend. For instance, plans to construct numerous pumped storage hydropower plants threaten vast areas of natural forest, including protected regions.
There is a noteworthy absence of scrutiny from the MoEF&CC and NBWL regarding the necessity of these projects or consideration of feasible alternatives, such as battery energy storage systems. Moreover, the authorities must rigorously investigate project proposals involving additional power lines in forested and protected areas, demanding evidence that all credible alternatives have been diligently explored, with the chosen option providing maximum benefits at minimal costs to society.
This lapse in obligation contributes to the alarming depletion of the country’s forest and tree cover. Without an in-depth evaluation to mitigate ecological impacts and a well-prepared national energy policy, the MoEF&CC and NBWL will face a relentless stream of project proposals aimed at deflecting forest land from the Western Ghats. According to the National Forest Policy, these mountainous areas should maintain at least 66% forest and tree cover.
To protect the right of citizens to a healthy environment, the MoEF&CC must redouble efforts to prevent the diversion of forest lands from protected areas in the Western Ghats. It must also commit to meeting the scientific goal of having at least 66% forest cover in these hilly regions.
Western Ghats' forests, primarily comprised of small remaining patches, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance
Immediate action is required, including the outright rejection of proposals from Karnataka for the diversion of substantial areas of natural forest within protected sites like the Sharavathi River LTM Sanctuary and the Someshwara Varahi River Wildlife Sanctuary to establish hydropower projects.
The state government's proposal to transfer 40 TMC of water from the Linganamakki reservoir to Bengaluru over 400 kilometers, requiring significant power for pumping, illustrates a neglectful disregard for ecological sustainability. Such alarming trends signify a broader issue across India regarding the evaluation and prioritization of our natural resources.
The Western Ghats, due to their ecological significance, must be vigorously protected. As an electrical engineer and power sector professional with over four decades of experience, I can attest to the availability of techno-economically viable alternatives that promote sustainability while preventing the further destruction of vital ecosystems.
The critical question remains: Are the MoEF&CC and NBWL truly prioritizing societal welfare over the approval of projects that threaten our forest wealth? The disconcerting statistics regarding approvals for projects in protected areas raise serious doubts about official commitment to environmental preservation. Between 2014 and 2018, the NBWL cleared close to 500 projects in forested and protected areas, contributing significantly to the loss of primary forests.
Reports indicate a total loss of 1.6 million hectares of tree cover and 16 million trees in India between 2001 and 2018, with the last four years accounting for nearly 9.4 million trees. The health of the country’s remaining forests, natural resources, and overall public health is at serious risk.
Since 2014, over 270 projects with detrimental environmental impacts have been approved in key conservation areas, with the Centre undermining environmental safeguards. Alarmingly, the MoEF&CC has approved 87% of environmental clearance proposals in recent years, signifying a troubling trend for India's original forests.
If this lackadaisical approach continues, even the modest efforts toward notifying the ESA in the Western Ghats may prove futile for the welfare of the country in the long run. Urgently, the MoEF&CC should translate and disseminate the recommendations of both the Madhav Gadgil Committee and the Kasturirangan Committee in all languages pertinent to the states in the Western Ghats, countering misinformation spread by politically motivated interests.
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*Power & Climate Policy Analyst, Karnataka
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