Congress Slams Centre Over Delay in Declaring Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive

The Congress on Friday accused the Centre of delaying the declaration of an 'ecologically sensitive area' for parts of the Western Ghats. They claimed this delay is "directly responsible" for the human tragedy in Wayanad. The opposition's criticism followed a fresh draft notification from the Centre to declare over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats across six states, including 13 villages in Kerala's landslide-hit Wayanad, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh recalled raising the issue of Western Ghats protection during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2019. "Only on July 31, 2024, following the Wayanad catastrophe, does the Union government seem to have finally moved to declare some 57,000 square kilometres—36 per cent of the total land area of the Western Ghats—as eco-sensitive," he said.

Western Ghats Protection Debate

The draft notification was issued on July 31, a day after a series of landslides claimed more than 300 lives in Wayanad district. The notification invites suggestions and objections within 60 days. The proposed ESA includes Periya, Thirunelli, Thondernad, Thrissilery, Kidanganad and Noolpuzha in Mananthavady taluka, and Achooranam, Chundel, Kottappadi, Kunnathidavaka, Pozhuthana, Thariyod and Vellarimala in Vythiri taluka.

Ramesh criticised the government's decision to notify only 36 per cent of the land area as eco-sensitive. He argued that this falls short of the 64 per cent protection level recommended by the Madhav Gadgil Working Group in 2011. Instead, he said, the government appears to have followed the Kasturirangan Committee's recommendations.

Impact on Local Communities

Scientists from Kerala and beyond attribute the disaster to a deadly mix of forest cover loss, mining in fragile terrain and climate change. The draft notification proposes to declare 9,993.7 square km in Kerala as ecologically sensitive. However, it excludes Mundakkai, Chooralmala and Attamala villages in Vythiri taluka which were affected by landslides on July 30.

The notification suggests a complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining. Existing mines are to be phased out within five years from the date of issue of the final notification or upon expiry of existing mining leases. It also prohibits new thermal power projects while allowing existing ones to continue without expansion.

Government's Response

An official stated that the latest draft is much more detailed but has no major changes in terms of total area. "We are hopeful that it will finally be notified," the official added. Since March 10, 2014, six draft notifications have been issued by the environment ministry, including the one on July 31. However, final notification is pending amid objections from states.

The draft also bans all Red category industries—highly polluting ones specified by pollution control boards—and their expansion. Large-scale construction projects and townships are proposed to be prohibited except for repair and renovation of existing buildings.

Ramesh claimed that this delay has enabled rampant commercialisation which is directly responsible for human tragedies like those in Wayanad. He warned that following Kasturirangan Committee's recommendations could lead to future ecological disasters and threaten livelihoods and water security for people living in these areas.

Overall, the draft proposes to declare 56,825.7 square km as ecologically sensitive across six states: Gujarat (449 square km), Maharashtra (17,340 square km), Goa (1,461 square km), Karnataka (20,668 square km), Tamil Nadu (6,914 square km) and Kerala (9,993.7 square km).

The Congress party's attack highlights ongoing concerns about environmental protection versus development needs in ecologically sensitive regions like the Western Ghats. The outcome of this debate will significantly impact both local communities and biodiversity conservation efforts.