Parliamentary committee expressed concern over Western Ghats ecology

Context


A Parliamentary Committee has expressed concern about the situation of the Western Ghats in its recent report. Rajya Sabha's Committee on Government Assurances says that 56 thousand km of ecologically sensitive areas-ESA in the Western Ghats No-go zone could be declared due to insensitivity of more than the region-related states. This committee has asked the Union Environment and Forests Ministry to make a committee, which can solve the issues and complaints of local people living in this area.

Western Ghat

  • The Western Ghats originated from Tapti river on the border of Maharashtra and Gujarat, and the southern tip of the country spread to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
  • This length of approximately 1600 kms includes the coastal areas of 6 states- Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat (both part of the forest area).
  • The total area of ​​the Western Ghats is approximately 1.60 lakh square kilometers and this entire area is a rain-fed area.
  • Most rivers of peninsular India originate from the Western Ghats.
  • Of these, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Kali river and Periyar are major and are of inter-importance importance.
  • The water of these rivers is used for irrigation and power generation.

A warning is flood

  • The Committee has cautioned that the catastrophic floods that have occurred some time ago in parts of Kerala and Karnataka should be seen as a warning for administration in Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states, which are the ecological forms in the Western Ghats region. They have failed to identify sensitive areas.
  • The committee has said in its report that due to insensitivity towards the ecology of the Western Ghats, the risk of flood and landslide has increased in the six states linked to it.
  • It was also stated in the report that in view of the recent monsoon floods, these six states should not be late in marking the ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats.
  • To reach the desired objectives to save the Western Ghats, there should be an intensive discussion with the concerned State Governments.
  • The Committee believes that the implementation of recommendations of Kasturirangan Samiti report is only possible with the active support of local population.
  • The Committee examined 62 assurances during consultation with various State Governments and other organizations. Before finalizing its report, the committee visited Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.

Major Ecological Problems of Western Ghats

  • The major ecological problems of the region include the pressure of population and industries.
  • Tourism activities in the Western Ghats have also increased the pressure on this region and the vegetation here.
  • Under river basin projects, encroachment of forest land and encroaching on forest land is also a major problem.
  • A cropped plantation such as mining work, tea, coffee, rubber, eucalyptus etc. also affect the biodiversity of this region.
  • Infrastructure projects like rail and road also put pressure on the ecology of this region.
  • Apart from these, many bio-diversity of Western Ghats has also been affected due to many natural and human causes like land erosion and landslides.

What is the Rajya Sabha Committee on Government Assurances?


During answering questions in the Rajya Sabha or during other proceedings, the ministers give assurances, futures and promises in the House. For example, a minister promotes that he will consider the matter or assures that he will present the information required by the House later on. Committee on Government Assurances has been set up to follow up on the implementation of such assurances, futures or commitments. This Committee was formed on July 1, 1972 for the first time in the Rajya Sabha on the recommendation of the Rules Committee. This committee consists of 10 members who are nominated by the Chairman. This committee works till the new committee is nominated.

Warned Committee on These Issues

  • The Committee on Government Assurances of the Rajya Sabha, Madhav Gadgil and K. Based on the recommendations of two different committees headed by Kasturirangan, the issues related to the classification of parts of Western Ghats were examined.
  • The committee found that in spite of three draft notifications issued in the last four years to mark the ecologically sensitive areas, six states have not taken any action.
  • As a result, 56 thousand square kilometers The area was not prohibited for polluting activities i.e. ecologically sensitive.
  • In its report, the committee said that massive deforestation, unrestrained mining and construction work are working to damage the ecology of Western Ghats.

Major Biodiversity of Western India

  • Western Ghats are counted among the major centers of biodiversity in the world which are known as hot spots.
  • Biodiversity hot spots are called bio-geographical areas, where such a wide variety of organisms are found in large numbers, on which the crisis is occurring.
  • The biodiversity reservoir ends with contributions from a variety of geographical, climatic and geological factors.
  • Approximately 30 percent of this area is forested and it contains tropical moisture evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests.
  • Found in the upper part of the Western Ghats, the Shola grasslands of the grass named Shola are the biggest feature of this region.

Biodiversity Act and Biodiversity Rule


The Central Government created the Biodiversity Act in 2002 and notified the biodiversity rules in 2004. The implementation of this Act is done by three level institutions at the nation, state and local level.

National biodiversity authority


National Biodiversity Authority was established in Chennai in October 2003. Its aim is to ensure sustainable use of India's rich biodiversity through public participation.

National Biodiversity Action Plan


The National Government had prepared National Biodiversity Action Plan in 2008. The main principles of the National Environment Policy have been explained in this action plan. In this, human beings are placed in the center of the development of sustainable development. It outlines the program based on assessment of present and future needs of conservation and continuous use of biodiversity.

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