The Western Ghats Panel of Experts on Ecology (WGEEP), also known as the Gadgil Commission, has designated the entire range as an Ecologically Sensitive Area and classified the 142 taluks on the edge of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs) 1, 2 and 3.
The Kasturirangan committee report proposes that 37 percent of the total area of the Western Ghats, which is about 60,000 square kilometers, be declared as an eco-sensitive area (ESA). Out of this, 20,668 square kilometers of the area is in Karnataka and covers 1,576 villages.
Suggestions of Kasturirangan panel
- Area to be covered: The Kasturirangan committee report proposes approximately 60,000 square kilometres to be declared an eco-sensitive area (ESA).
- Out of this, 20,668 square kilometres of the area is in Karnataka and covers 1,576 villages.
- Site boundaries are, in most cases, the boundaries of legally demarcated national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and forest divisions, and thus already have a high level of protection.
- The commission recommended the constitution of a Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA), as a statutory authority under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, with powers under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Activities Wanted and Prohibited: The report recommended a blanket ban on mining, quarrying, the establishment of red-category industries, and thermal power projects.
- It also indicated that the impact of infrastructure projects on the forest and wildlife must be studied before granting permission for these activities.
UNESCO Label: He also stated that the UNESCO Heritage label is an opportunity to generate global and national recognition of the enormous natural wealth that exists in the Western Ghats.
- The 39 sites are located in the Western Ghats and distributed in the states (of Kerala 19), Karnataka (10), Tamil Nadu (6) and Maharashtra (4).
- Role of state governments: State governments must see this development and build a plan to protect, conserve and value the resources and opportunities of the region.
- The Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats has made several recommendations in favour of farmers, including the exclusion of inhabited regions and plantations from the scope of ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs).
- The Kasturirangan report had said that 123 villages fall under the purview of the ESA.
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