418
R. V. D’ Souza
rainforests have a historical role as part of a large carbon sink that reduces the effects
of global atmospheric carbon dioxide elevation (Pomeroy et al. 2003). Tragically,
this diversity is shrinking and distinct biological communities in the region are under
the threat of extinction.
1 The growing concern with regard to this threat has led to
the appointment of several committees and resultant research reports. The latest, the
most discussed, and controversial in this regard is the Western Ghats Ecology Expert
Panel Report of 2011, popularly known as Gadgil Report. The report has evoked a
strong reaction among diverse interest groups and the contiguous states.
The Western Ghats is one of the three prominent mountain ranges of India
2 extending from Tapti in the Indian state of Gujarat to Kanyakumari in the state of Tamil
Nadu traversing through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala along
the west coast. It forms a practically unbroken relief for about 1490 km, with rich and
wide-ranging flora and fauna. The three major east flowing rivers, i.e., the Godavari,
the Krishna and the Cauvery of peninsular India originate in the Western Ghats. The
region houses numerous ethnic communities that trace their descent to the distant
past. At the same time it is a hub of vast swathes of plantations of coffee, rubber,
cardamom and pepper and in recent years of the mining industry. They still hold
large tracts of lush evergreen forests that elsewhere in India are fast depleting.
The constitution of the Gadgil Committee by the Ministry of Environment and
Forests of the Government of India (MoEF) was a great ecological policy initiative.
The recent devastating floods in the state of Kerala and Kodagu, in the state of Karnataka, India, wrecking large scale destruction and marooning thousands of houses
have brought home the frailness of the Western Ghats, emphasising the need for
sustainable development refocusing our attention on the Gadgil Committee Report.
3
2 Precedents to the Gadgil Committee Report
2.1 The State Response to the Ecological Concerns
of the Sustainable Development Goals
The Gadgil Committee anticipates several recommendations of the historic UN summit held in September 2015. As is well known, the summit envisioned an inclusive,
ecologically balanced world with healthy livelihoods and sustainable development.
The 17 sustainable developmental goals (SDGs) and 169 targets of the UN 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development gave directions to the states in addressing
1 Species are endangered due to poaching, shrinkage of habitats, atmospheric pollution etc. Western
Ghats are considered as the World’s second most vital forest for threatened species see Gandhi (The
Hindu, Nov. 16 2013).
2 The Himalayas and the Vindyas are the other two mountain ranges. They are covered with thick
forests, which protect the soil and provide the rivers with an even flow of water.
3 Many parts of Kerala and Karnataka that were affected by floods such as Idukki, Wayanad and
Madikeri, were classified as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) by the Gadgil Committee.
R. V. D’ Souza
rainforests have a historical role as part of a large carbon sink that reduces the effects
of global atmospheric carbon dioxide elevation (Pomeroy et al. 2003). Tragically,
this diversity is shrinking and distinct biological communities in the region are under
the threat of extinction.
1 The growing concern with regard to this threat has led to
the appointment of several committees and resultant research reports. The latest, the
most discussed, and controversial in this regard is the Western Ghats Ecology Expert
Panel Report of 2011, popularly known as Gadgil Report. The report has evoked a
strong reaction among diverse interest groups and the contiguous states.
The Western Ghats is one of the three prominent mountain ranges of India
2 extending from Tapti in the Indian state of Gujarat to Kanyakumari in the state of Tamil
Nadu traversing through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala along
the west coast. It forms a practically unbroken relief for about 1490 km, with rich and
wide-ranging flora and fauna. The three major east flowing rivers, i.e., the Godavari,
the Krishna and the Cauvery of peninsular India originate in the Western Ghats. The
region houses numerous ethnic communities that trace their descent to the distant
past. At the same time it is a hub of vast swathes of plantations of coffee, rubber,
cardamom and pepper and in recent years of the mining industry. They still hold
large tracts of lush evergreen forests that elsewhere in India are fast depleting.
The constitution of the Gadgil Committee by the Ministry of Environment and
Forests of the Government of India (MoEF) was a great ecological policy initiative.
The recent devastating floods in the state of Kerala and Kodagu, in the state of Karnataka, India, wrecking large scale destruction and marooning thousands of houses
have brought home the frailness of the Western Ghats, emphasising the need for
sustainable development refocusing our attention on the Gadgil Committee Report.
3
2 Precedents to the Gadgil Committee Report
2.1 The State Response to the Ecological Concerns
of the Sustainable Development Goals
The Gadgil Committee anticipates several recommendations of the historic UN summit held in September 2015. As is well known, the summit envisioned an inclusive,
ecologically balanced world with healthy livelihoods and sustainable development.
The 17 sustainable developmental goals (SDGs) and 169 targets of the UN 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development gave directions to the states in addressing
1 Species are endangered due to poaching, shrinkage of habitats, atmospheric pollution etc. Western
Ghats are considered as the World’s second most vital forest for threatened species see Gandhi (The
Hindu, Nov. 16 2013).
2 The Himalayas and the Vindyas are the other two mountain ranges. They are covered with thick
forests, which protect the soil and provide the rivers with an even flow of water.
3 Many parts of Kerala and Karnataka that were affected by floods such as Idukki, Wayanad and
Madikeri, were classified as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) by the Gadgil Committee.