The inclusion of the Western Ghats in the World Heritage List by UNESCO is a fitting tribute to one of the most fragile and ecologically sensitive areas of the world. These montane forests and their rich biological diversity were included in the very first list of ‘global biodiversity hotspots’ drawn up by scientists at the turn of the century. Today, the Ghats are considered one of eight “hottest hotspots”. With their official listing as natural heritage, India commits itself under the UNESCO Convention to conserve, protect and transmit the 39 chosen sites spread across nearly 8,000 square kilometres to future generations. The challenge to protect the Western Ghats, however, is much bigger because the area of these mountains assessed by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel encompasses a total of 129,037 sq km. This is a vast swathe of ecologically unique habitat, which significantly influences the Indian monsoon. The WGEEP has, in its report, treated the entire region as an ecologically sensitive zone, while recommending that some sub-regions be treated as more sensitive and given higher levels of protection.
India is required by virtue of its participation in the UNESCO Convention to let the listed natural heritage sites “function in the life of the community” and promote scientific and technical studies to counteract harm. The national record on both these counts has been uninspiring and often negative. On the one hand, the Centre has been unable to foster an effective people-driven conservation paradigm using the Forest Rights Act, while on the other, it has been consistently hostile to independent scientific research in protected areas. The new global recognition accorded to some parts of the Western Ghats should help change that, and secure international assistance for conservation. What comes as a source of worry is the approach of some State governments to the larger question of nature protection. Karnataka wanted 10 sites withdrawn from the list submitted to UNESCO, presumably because it wanted to avoid greater scrutiny of incompatible activities such as mining. Kerala, which is keen to have a hydroelectric project at Athirapilly in the forests, has also reacted negatively to the idea of conservation. These trends do not bode well for natural heritage protection. It is beyond argument that the Western Ghats in their entirety represent irreplaceable natural capital, and any people-friendly policy should spare them damaging, extractive pressures that can only aid short-term commerce. Moreover, it should be less problematic now to compensate any financial loss resulting from protection, as India can seek international assistance for a World Heritage site.
Keywords: Western Ghats, World Heritage List, UNESCO
The AMBY Valley project by the SAHARA group acquired thousands of acres of land
from poor farmers in Mulshi. How did they acquire thousands of acres of land for
this Ecologically sensitive region without the knowledge of the government? Top
bosses of the Sahara group are well connected across all political parties including
BJP and Congress. So moral of the story, does not matter who is in power,
administration in general is corrupt and most often than not favors business
interest in the guise of 'economic' interest. Now the poor farmers who use to be
land-owners now work as gardeners and laborers in the Amby Valley project. So
much for serving for the farmer's economic interest. Amby Valley is heavily
guarded by Armed guards right from the entrance gate. Wonder why such security
measures required? No major media outlet yet has made an investigative report of
the extent of damage to environment of this Biologically rich and Ecologically
fragile region of MUlSHI and Maval in Pune.
The politicians are not seems to be looking happy with the news... The report of Mr.Madhav Gadgil has delayed to present before public. western ghats are strictly needed to save from mine mafias,jungle mafias, politician smugllers..
I agree with Raj kumarji.We the citizens of india and the government of india must take the matter of 4 types of mafias seriously.
Coming close to yesterday's editorial 'Reading the rains',which exhibited your concern for monsoon vagaries', the present piece of writing unveils your desire to protect our fragile and ecologically sensitive biospheres. Surely, the Western Ghats are our god-given gifts. As you aver, the 39 invaluable sites are to be conserved. They should be deemed and declared as the preserve of our poserity and transmitted to the latter. The states make only lip service for our natural wealth. The resources that Nature gives may be extracted to meet the needs of man and to satiate the greed of the few.
"...it is beyond argument that the Western Ghats in their entirety represent irreplaceable natural capital...." - very well said indeed.
Western ghats are one of the most naturally gifted places in India and things like mining and power plants should not be entertained there. Period.
A very nicely written editorial.India has committed to conserve,
protect and transmit the chosen 39 sites covering an area of 8000 sq. km to the future generation. It remains to be seen as to how the Government intends to do this when the area of the sites is a very small part of the Western Ghats which encompasses approximately 130,000 sq. km. where basically four types of Mafia is operating to wit,the Sand Mafia which denudes the rivers of sand,the Mining Mafia which will completely "Demountain the Ghats"
(a neologism of mine),the Poaching Mafia which will ensure that all the forests are completely cleared of all wildlife and finally
the Drug Mafia which will ensure the annhilation of the furture generation which in the euphoria of drugs couldn't care less about
conservation etc.,leave alone protecting the heritage sites.To top it all,leaving aside the squabbling between states, the center should have the will to monitor the proper use of funds sanctioned.
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