Western Ghats | A look into the Gadgil and Kasturirangan Reports in the wake of Kerala Landslides 

By Vivek Saini

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of India. It is a biodiversity hotspot and an area of immense ecological significance. However, the region faces numerous environmental challenges, including deforestation, mining, and urbanisation, which have exacerbated the impacts of natural disasters such as flash floods and landslides. The recent Kerala flash floods and landslides have brought the recommendations of the Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports back into the spotlight, highlighting the need for sustainable development and conservation.

Madhav Gadgil Report (2011)

The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), chaired by ecologist Madhav Gadgil, was commissioned by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2010. The panel’s primary objective was to assess the Western Ghats’ environmental status and recommend conservation and sustainable development measures. The Gadgil report proposed a participatory approach to conservation, emphasising the involvement of local communities in decision-making processes. This approach aimed to balance ecological preservation with the needs and knowledge of those living within the Western Ghats.

Kasturirangan Report (2013)

Following the Gadgil report, the government faced significant pushback from various stakeholders, including state governments and local communities. Consequently, the High-Level Working Group (HLWG) chaired by space scientist K. Kasturirangan was formed to review the Gadgil report and provide a more balanced approach to conservation and development. The Kasturirangan report sought to address the concerns of developmental pressures while still aiming to protect critical areas of ecological significance. This report took a more top-down approach, focusing on demarcating specific zones for conservation and allowing for more regulated development in other areas.

Key Differences between Gadgil and Kasturirangan Reports

1. Approach to Conservation

Gadgil Report: The report emphasised a participatory approach involving local communities in decision-making processes. It classified the Western Ghats into three Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs) with varying levels of protection and regulation. This classification aimed to tailor conservation efforts based on different areas’ specific ecological and social contexts, promoting sustainable practices that align with local needs and knowledge.

Kasturirangan Report: The Kasturirangan report adopted a more top-down approach. It designated 37% of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and recommended stricter regulations, allowing for more flexibility in other regions. This approach balanced conservation with developmental needs, addressing stakeholders’ concerns that extensive regulations might hinder economic growth.

2. The extent of Protected Areas

Gadgil Report: The Gadgil report proposed that the entire Western Ghats region should be considered ecologically sensitive. It recommended a broader landscape approach, covering approximately 64% of the Western Ghats—this extensive coverage aimed to ensure comprehensive protection of the region’s biodiversity and ecological integrity.

Kasturirangan Report: The Kasturirangan report reduced the protected area to 37% of the Western Ghats. This reduction aimed to balance environmental concerns with the region’s developmental needs. The focus was on identifying and protecting the most critical areas, allowing for more sustainable development in other regions.

3. Developmental Activities

Gadgil Report: The report suggested strict mining, quarrying, and large-scale construction regulations. It advocated for a ban on activities that could harm the ecological balance of the Western Ghats. The report emphasised the need to prioritise environmental health over short-term economic gains, suggesting that sustainable development could only be achieved by limiting destructive activities.

Kasturirangan Report: The Kasturirangan Report allowed for regulated development in ESAs, including sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism. It aimed to integrate conservation with sustainable development. The report sought to ensure that development could proceed mindful of ecological concerns by permitting certain activities under strict guidelines.

Implications for Kerala Flash Floods and Landslides

The devastating flash floods and landslides in Kerala have underscored the importance of implementing effective conservation measures in the Western Ghats. The differing approaches of the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports offer valuable insights into how best to achieve this balance. For instance, the Gadgil report’s participatory approach empowered local communities to take preventive measures, which could have potentially mitigated the severity of the recent disasters. In contrast, the Kasturirangan report’s focus on regulated development could have mitigated some destructive activities that led to the disasters, such as uncontrolled mining and quarrying.

Deforestation and Land Use Change: The Gadgil report’s broader landscape approach highlights the need for comprehensive conservation strategies to address deforestation and land-use changes. The recent disasters in Kerala have been attributed, in part, to the loss of forest cover and unplanned development. Removing trees and vegetation destabilises the soil, increasing the risk of landslides and flash floods. Though narrower, the Kasturirangan report’s focus on stricter regulations within ESAs also underscores the need to protect ecologically sensitive areas from destructive activities.

Mining and Quarrying: Both reports recognise the detrimental impact of mining and quarrying on the Western Ghats. The Gadgil report’s stringent recommendations on banning these activities align with the need to mitigate landslide risks. Mining and quarrying operations can lead to soil erosion and weaken the structural integrity of the landscape, making it more susceptible to landslides. The Kasturirangan report’s allowance for regulated mining highlights the complex balance between economic interests and environmental conservation. Striking a balance between these competing priorities is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed.

Community Involvement: The participatory approach advocated by the Gadgil report is crucial for long-term sustainability. It empowers local communities and recognises their role as stewards of the environment. Local communities are often the first responders to natural disasters and possess invaluable knowledge about their environment. Involving them in conservation efforts is not just beneficial, it’s crucial. The recent floods have shown how local communities can mobilise quickly to assist in rescue and relief operations. Empowering these communities through participatory conservation can lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

Policy and Implementation: The Kerala flash floods and landslides have highlighted gaps in policy implementation. While both reports provide robust frameworks, effective enforcement and continuous monitoring are critical. It’s not enough to have good policies; they need to be implemented, and their impact needs to be continuously assessed. Integrating scientific research with policy and ensuring transparency in governance can strengthen disaster resilience in the Western Ghats. The recent disasters call for re-evaluating current policies and their implementation to address the region’s ecological challenges and developmental pressures adequately. This includes not only the formulation of policies but also their enforcement and monitoring of their impact on the ground.

The contrasting recommendations of the Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports offer valuable lessons for managing the delicate balance between development and conservation in the Western Ghats. The recent Kerala flash floods and landslides have underscored the urgent need for implementing effective and sustainable conservation strategies. By drawing on the strengths of both reports, policymakers can foster a resilient and thriving Western Ghats that can withstand the challenges of natural disasters while supporting the livelihoods of its inhabitants.

Integrating community involvement, stringent regulation of destructive activities, and continuous monitoring and enforcement of conservation policies will be vital to achieving this balance. As Kerala rebuilds and recovers, these lessons can guide the way towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the Western Ghats and its people.

References:

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/western-ghats-supreme-court-quashes-plea-against-gadgil-kasturirangan-reports-84912

https://ruralindiaonline.org/en/library/resource/report-of-the-western-ghats-ecology-expert-panel

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17JqgaiQSqwab9PPuHt__83hk-XG4sU65/view?usp=drive_link

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