T.P. Sajeev, scientist, Kerala Forest Research Institute, has said that if properly implemented the Madhav Gadgil Committee report will bring about a transition from economic governance to ecological governance in the State.
He was speaking after inaugurating a workshop on ‘Madhav Gadgil Committee report and Wayanad’ organised by the Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshnana Samiti, an environmental organisation, at Sulthan Bathery on Sunday.
Earlier the State had strongly demanded the decommissioning of the Mullaperiyar Dam and the report also suggested that all the dams in the geographical area that had completed its tenure should be decommissioned, Dr. Sajeev said adding that now the government was opposing its own demand by rejecting the panel report.
The government was opposing only four or five suggestions out of the 57 suggestions in the report, Dr. Sajeev said. He urged the government to show the courage to implement the remaining suggestions.
A. Lata, director, River Research Centre, Thrissur, said the panel report put forward a new development paradigm which puts a limit on the exploitation of natural resources. The report focused on ‘carrying-capacity based development’ where conservation got priority, she added.
The representatives of farmers’ movements, including K. Surendran, district convener, Harita Sena, and Baby James, secretary, Infarm, said that the farming community did not oppose the suggestions of the panel, except those that would adversely affect the interest of the community. They said the proposed Western Ghats Authority should not act as an agency for increasing corruption and bureaucracy in society.
