western ghats ecology experts panel: xi meeting ghats ecology experts panel: xi meeting 24/3/11 1...

Western Ghats Ecology Experts

Panel: XI Meeting

24/3/11 1

Madhav Gadgil

Delhi, 24th March 2011

WGEEP made a presentation on its approach, guiding principles and the broad outline of the contents of its report under

preparation before the Hon. Union Minister for Environment and Forests and senior

officials of the Ministry on 24th March 2011. The Hon. Minister endorsed the

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2011. The Hon. Minister endorsed the approach and asked the Panel to proceed

along proposed lines. This work will continue and lead to a concluding

Workshop at KILA, Thrissoor on 3 to 5 May 2011.

The presentation at the meeting on 24th

March 2011 incorporates excerpts from several sources, including representations

from civil society.

WGEEP has welcomed such submissions and is actively examining them. All such

excerpts are underlined in this

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excerpts are underlined in this presentation. However their inclusion does not necessarily imply their acceptance by

WGEEP.

The other material in this presentation represents what has been prepared by

WGEEP.

• Western Ghats are truly a comely young maiden, with Agasthyamalai her head,

Nilgiris and Anemalais her breasts, Goa her waist, Arabian Sea her blue garment,

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her waist, Arabian Sea her blue garment, and Satpuras her feet.

– Kalidasa, Raghuvamsa, Canto IV

~ 2nd century CE

• “When ascending, and on gaining the summit of any of these passes (in the Western Ghats), the scenery which everywhere presents itself is of the grandest kind. Some idea of it may be formed by imagining mountains succeeding mountains, 3 or 4 thousand feet high, covered with trees, except in places where the huge, black, barren rocks are so solid as to prevent the hardiest shrub from finding root in their clefts. The verdure about the Ghats to the southward of

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The verdure about the Ghats to the southward of Poona is perpetual, but during the rainy season, when the torrents are pouring from the sides of the mountains, the effect is greatly heightened by the extreme luxuriance of vegetation”.

- Grant Duff (1826) History of Marathas, Vol. 1

• “Our Navy needs large timber as planks, beams and masts. This should be acquired by felling trees like teak from our kingdom as appropriate. Beyond this, the timber should be imported from outside. Trees like mango and jackfruit are also of use to the navy. But these should not be touched within the boundary of our kingdom. After all, these cannot be grown in a year or two. Our people have nurtured them like their own children over long periods. They will be deeply hurt if they

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over long periods. They will be deeply hurt if they are cut. What is gained by hurting others can never last long. Rather, it constitutes a blemish on the ruler for exploiting the citizenry. Furthermore the land suffers in absence of these trees. Hence, this should never be permitted to happen. If there be an old, decaying tree, then it could be harvested after due payment to the owner”.

- Edict of Shivaji Maharaj, ~1670

Ram Guha: A Nation consumed by the State; Outlook,

January 31, 2011 - 1• To be sure, the Indian economy needs to grow at a

steady rate to lift our people out of poverty. However, we must look more carefully at the components of that growth, at its distributive impacts across and between generations. We must assess different enterprises and sectors according to the kinds of employment they generate, and their varying impacts on nature. We must ensure that all processes of land acquisition and natural resource allocation are fair, just and transparent.

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resource allocation are fair, just and transparent.

• The costs of a narrow-minded focus on GDP growth, and of a fetishisation of a particular number -8%, 9%, 10%-can be colossal. For the GDP accounts do not subtract for the loss of water, land and vegetation polluted or destroyed by open-cast mining.

• The market can promote efficiency and productivity, but not ecological sustainability or social justice. The market does not value the needs of poor people who have no money, it does not value the future, and it does not value the right of other species to exist.

Ram Guha: A Nation consumed by the State; Outlook,

January 31, 2011 - 2

• It is thus in the rational interest of miners and industrialists to externalise the costs of degradation and pollution. (The laws to prevent this exist on the statute books, but, with a few spectacular exceptions, are not implemented.)

• India today is thus an environmental basket-case, characterised by falling water tables, dead

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case, characterised by falling water tables, dead rivers, massively high rates of air pollution and soil erosion, the unregulated disposal of toxic wastes, and the decimation of forests and biodiversity. These processes are caused by a combination of inequality and corruption. Politicians at the Centre and the states, acting at the behest of the wealthy, pass on the costs of environmental damage to the poor and to future generations.

The Panel shall perform, the following

functions:

1. Assess the current status of ecology of the Western Ghats region.

2. Demarcate areas within the Western Ghats Region which need to be notified as ecologically

sensitive and to recommend for notification of such areas as ecologically sensitive zones

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sensitive and to recommend for notification of such areas as ecologically sensitive zones

under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

3. Make recommendations for the conservation, protection and rejuvenation of the Western Ghats Region following a comprehensive consultation process involving people and Governments of all the concerned States.

The Panel shall perform, the following

functions:

4. Suggest measures for effective implementation of the notifications issued by the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests declaring specific areas in the Western Ghats Region as eco-sensitive zones under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

5. Recommend the modalities for the establishment of Western Ghats Ecology Authority under the Environment

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5. Recommend the modalities for the establishment of Western Ghats Ecology Authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 which will be a professional body to manage the ecology of the region and to ensure its

sustainable development with the support of all concerned states.

6.Deal with any other relevant environment and ecological issues pertaining to Western Ghats Region, including

those which may be referred to it by the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests

Activities undertaken

• Panel meetings

• Brainstormings

• Commissioned papers

• Website

• Govt consultations

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• Govt consultations

• Public consultations

• Field visits

• Formulation of scientific methodology

• Scientific publication

• Database compilation and analysis

Defining Western Ghats: Setting

boundaries

• There are no hard and fast boundaries

• Strong westward linkages in terms of coastal air pollution and coastal power

lines impacting WG forest

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lines impacting WG forest

• Strong eastward linkages in terms of east-flowing river systems


boundaries

• Geological province or domain known as “Western Ghāt” comprises the

mountainous Sahyadri Range, the great escarpment Western Ghāt sensu stricto,

and the Konkan–Kanara–Malabar Coastal

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and the Konkan–Kanara–Malabar Coastal Belt. The eastern flank of the Sahyadri

slopes gently eastwards, and the western flank breaks into scarps. Evidently, there

are no hard and fast limits.

Biogeographic

regions of the

Indian

subcontinent

(Blanford, 1901).

West Coast is

included in

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included in

Sahyadris, there

are no clear

boudaries

between

Sahyadri and

Western

Peninsular tract


boundaries

• Development administration: Planning

Commission – disbursement of Central

Government assistance. At Taluka level.

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Government assistance. At Taluka level.

• This administrative definition has no implications

in terms of environmental regulation

• Experience of Bhimashankar not being an

acceptable hill area for purposes of Govt

schemes!


boundaries

• WGEEP has proposed geographical

boundaries on basis of slope,

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elevation and continuity of hilly tracts

Implications of setting boundaries: abrupt or gradual change in management regime

Two alternatives: • [a] Develop recklessly – conserve thoughtlessly

– Constitute islands of biodiversity (and social

exclusion) in an ocean of ecological devastation

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exclusion) in an ocean of ecological devastation

• [b] Develop thoughtfully - conserve thoughtfully

• We advocate a layered, nuanced, participatory

approach; so that boundaries will not be

discontinuities and therefore will not be of undue

significance

L1- Surat-Goa Deccan Trap Landscape L2- Goa-Nilgiris Pre-Cambrian Dharwar System Landscape L3- Goa-Nilgiris Pre-Cambrian Peninsular Gneiss Landscape L4- Goa-Nilgiris Pre-Cambrian Charnockites Landscape L5- Goa-Nilgiris Recent Sedimentary Rocks Landscape L6- South of Palghat Gap Pre-

Western Ghats Landscapes

(Daniels)

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L6- South of Palghat Gap Pre-Cambrian Charnockites Landscape L7- South of Palghat Gap Pre-Cambrian Peninsular Gneiss Landscape L8- South of Palghat Gap Pre-Cambrian Khondalites Landscape L9- South of Palghat Gap Recent Sedimentary Rocks Landscape

Setting: Landscapes & ecosystems

• Natural

• Human induced transformations

• Human interventions in terms of Property Rights, and Access regimes

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Rights, and Access regimes

• Habitat fragmentation

• Significance of corridors

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Ongoing patterns of landscape transformations in Uttara Kannada

Gadgil

Special Ecosystems

• Evergreen sholas- grasslands; with notable

endemic species - wattle invasions

• Laterite plateaus

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• Laterite plateaus

• Myristica swamps

• Riparian forests

Impact of Invasive Alien Species:

Eupatorium, Water Hyacinth, Tilapia; Subabul,

Wattle

In the globalizing world

• Our national capabilities of interfering in environment have grown substantially

• Corruption and lawlessness has skyrocketed

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skyrocketed

• Rich and poor divide has widened

• Rich and powerful are all out to make money, ignoring environmental damage and merrily passing on the costs to the

poor and the weak

Challenges

• Our ability to protect environment is very weak

• Our Ministries and Commissions devoted to safeguarding the interests of the weaker sections of the community are thoroughly

ineffective

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ineffective

• Ministry of En & F has the onerous task of safeguarding not only environmental, but social interests as well through instruments such as assessment of socio-economic impacts and

public hearings related to development projects

Case studies

• Environmental degradation –Goa mines, Maharashtra Sahyadris;

• Growing social divides –ecological refugees: fisherfolk of Dabhol esturary, BRT hills, impoverishment

of Solligas;

• Regulatory coordination and deficits: ZASI exercise

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• Regulatory coordination and deficits: ZASI exercise

• Informational gaps and asymmetries: Jindal Committee

• The false dichotomy of environment and development; case study of Ramnagar resettlement,

Konkan Rly: Karambolim wetland

Alternative paths to prosperity

• Inclusive, caring vs exclusionary, uncaring;

• Egalitarian, such as nature loving regimes of Scandinavian countries, rich in forest and

mineral Resources

• Finland earns as much by exporting “zero

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• Finland earns as much by exporting “zero effluent technologies” as by selling paper

• Norwegian Petroleum Fund

• Exclusionary path: Stratified, violence torn, such as white supremacist regime of South Africa

• Case study of Kalane mine, Sindhudurg district

Moving towards sustainable and inclusive growth

• We are practicing exclusionary development, exclusionary conservation;

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development, exclusionary conservation; for vested interests profit from such

exclusion

Who profits from exclusion?

• Exclusionary development = Passing on the

costs of environmental degradation to poor

• Exclusionary conservation = Collect bribes from

rich to break rules, extort bribes from poor to

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rich to break rules, extort bribes from poor to

permit them to eke out a livelihood

• Regrettably, Forest Department, often in charge

of conservation, is the only wing of Government

that officially declares that people are its

enemies

Amartya Sen :‘Development as

Freedom’

• Process of expanding real freedoms that people enjoy

• Access to –

• Adequate Food, Clean water, Unpolluted

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• Adequate Food, Clean water, Unpolluted Air, Shelter, Education, Health Care, and

Gainful Employment

• Above all development should lead to an enhanced capacity to engage in social,

political, and economic decision making.

Towards sustainable development

• Putting into practice: Public trust doctrine

• Putting into practice: Polluter pays principle

• Putting into practice: Precautionary principle

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• Ensuring Social or distributive justice

• Promoting Social ecology and green economy.

Key questions

• Is environment being effectively protected?

• Are environmental costs acceptable?

• Are transfers of environmental costs (Inter-sectoral, Inter-regional, Inter-class, Inter-generational) acceptable?

• Are people being involved in good management of environment?

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environment?

• Are people being involved in deciding upon an appropriate development path?

• Are development policies leading to sustainable development?

• Are decision-makers at centres of power aware of what is happening on ground?

• Are people’s civil rights being respected?

Summary of Ratnagiri- Sindhudurg report

Currently available tools

• Development Planning and democratic devolution

• Case study: Kerala experience

• Goa decentralization proposal

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• Goa decentralization proposal

Currently available tools:PESA

• Experience of implementation of Extension of Panchayat Raj to Scheduled Areas in

Schedule V district of Nandurbar

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• Ecorestoration programmes

• Watershed development activities. Case study: Masur- Lukkeri

• Role of MGNREGA in Ecorestoration.

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• Role of MGNREGA in Ecorestoration. Case study: Attapdi, Wynaad, Lamkani in

Dhule district

Currently available tools: Regional Plans

• Town and Country Planning, merits and limitations

• Case studies: Pune and Ratnagiri districts

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• Hill stations policy, Lake District, Lavasa, Amby Valley

• Goa Regional Plan 2021

• Zoning Atlases for Siting of Industries: Case studies: Pune and Ratnagiri districts


• Environmental Protection Act 1986; strengths and limitations

• Air pollution

• Water Pollution

• Case study: Lote MIDC

• Environmental Impact Assessment, clearances,

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• Environmental Impact Assessment, clearances, monitoring

• Participatory monitoring: Bhimashankar windmills, Goa school: violation of fishing

season ban

• Paryavaran Vahini; case study:Dakshin Kannada


• Special Economic Zones:

• Case studies:

Raigad district

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Rajgurunagar, Pune district

Bhutkhamb, Goa,

Dakshin Kannada district


• Forest and Wildlife Conservation legislation, Forest Act, Wild Life Preservation Act

• Forest Act ; Village Forest provision: Case study: Halkar village, Muroor Kallabbe

• Protected Areas, Tiger reserves, Case study: BRT hills

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• Protected Areas, Tiger reserves, Case study: BRT hills

• Community Conservation Areas, Case study: Udambanchola, Idukki district, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

• Positive incentives for conservation: Kerala mangroves

• Creating a viable programme of people earning livelihoods through providing ecological services

• Experience of vulture breeding sites


• Biological Diversity Act

• Kerala, positive and Goa, negative

experiences

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experiences


• Forest Conservation Act; Case study: Mining related Forest Clearances in Goa,

Kolhapur – mining without clearances Joint Forest Management, Case study:

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Joint Forest Management, Case study: Dakshin Kannada

• Forest Rights Act: Case study: Athirapally Gundia, Goa


• Ecologically Sensitive Areas; Basis in

EPA

• Case study of Panchagani-

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Mahabaleshwar ESA

Pronab Sen Committee Defn

Ecological sensitivity is defined as the imminent possibility of:

• Permanent and irreparable loss of extant life forms from the world;

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extant life forms from the world;

or

• Significant damage to the natural processes of evolution and speciation

Sen Cmt Primary Criteria

Species based

1. Endemism

2. Rarity

3. Endangered species

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3. Endangered species

4. Centers of evolution of domesticated species – Uttara Kannada world’s richest repository


• Ecosystem based

Wildlife Corridors – routes of upstream migration

of spawning fishes

Specialized ecosystems

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Specialized ecosystems

Special breeding site/area – Sea Eagle, Vultures

Areas with intrinsically low resilience

Sacred groves

Frontier Forests


• Geo-morphological features based

Uninhabited Islands in the sea

Steep Slopes

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Steep Slopes

Origins of Rivers – entire crestline

Sen Cmt Auxillary Criteria

• Species based

• Areas or centers of less known food plants

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plants

• Ecosystem based

• Wetlands

• Grasslands

Sen Cmt Auxillary Criteria

• Geo-morphological features based

• Upper Catchment areas

• Not so Steep Slopes

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• Not so Steep Slopes

• High Rainfall Areas

• Other uninhabited Islands

Ecological Sensitivity

Applying Pronab Sen criteria

• Entire Western Ghats region, (as well as much

of the rest of the country) qualifies as ESA

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of the rest of the country) qualifies as ESA

• Pronab Sen Committee provides no guidelines

for management of ESAs

• WGEEP needs to work out a graduated

approach, suggesting management guidelines


• Proposals of Goa Regional Plan 2021: • Constitute 80% of Goa as ESZ’s

• ESZ-I comprising Govt. and private forests, national parks, wild life sanctuaries, mangrove forest and water bodies, constitutes 54% of Goa’s area. No

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parks, wild life sanctuaries, mangrove forest and water bodies, constitutes 54% of Goa’s area. No

intervention will be permitted.

• ESZ-II comprising paddy area and khazan, command area, salt pans and heritage zones,

constitutes 26% of Goa’s area. Very limited intervention will be permitted.


• Proposals of Min EnF Wild Life

Division for management of ESAs

around PAs

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Min En&F Wild Life Division ESA

Proposals content

1. Physical boundaries

2. Legal status

3. Biodiversity values

4. Livelihood resource base

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4. Livelihood resource base

5. Activities to be prohibited/ regulated/ promoted

6. Protected Areas

Activity x Rg � Remark

1 Commercial

mining

* Digging/ quarrying OK if

related to personal house

construction

2 Tree felling * Permission from authority

3 Saw mills *

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3 Saw mills *

4 Hotels, resorts * Per Master plan

5 Commercial

fire wood use * For hotels, businesses


6 Polluting industry *

7 Drastic change in

farming

*

8 Commercial use of * Per

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8 Commercial use of

natural water sources

including ground water

* Per

Master

plan

9 Major Hydel project *

10 Electric cables * Undergro-

und


11 Organic farming

by locals

* Per Master

plan

12 Rain water

harvesting

* Promote

13 Fencing hotels *

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13 Fencing hotels *

14 Organic farming * Promote

15 Polythene bags

in shops

*


16 Renewable

energy

* Promote

17 Road widening * With EIA &

mitigation

18 Vehicular traffic at

night

* Commercial

vehicles

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night vehicles

19 Exotic species *

20 Use/ production

hazardous

material

*


21 Overflying by hot air

baloon

*

22 Protecting hill slopes/

river banks

* Per Master

plan

23 Discharging effluents/ *

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23 Discharging effluents/

solid waste in

water/land

*

24 Air & vehicular

pollution

*

25 Sign boards &

hoardings

*


26 Green

technologie

s for all

activities

* Actively promote

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Concept of ecological sensitivity- 1

• We consider ecologically and economically important’ areas as biologically and ecologically `rich’ `valuable’ and, or `unique’ areas that are largely irreplaceable if

destroyed.

• By virtue of their biological richness, could be potentially of high value to human societies, help in maintaining the

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of high value to human societies, help in maintaining the ecological stability, and be significant in conserving

biological diversity.

• Their `uniqueness’ may be recognised either by the rarity of the living systems they harbour that are difficult to

replace if lost, or by the uniqueness of the services they offer to human society.

Current Science, Vol 100(2) 25/1/11 pages 175-182

Concept of ecological sensitivity- 2

• Their `vulnerability’ could be determined by

physiographic features that are prone to erosion

or degradation under human and other

influences such as erratic climate, and on the

basis of historical experience.

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basis of historical experience.

• ESAs as those areas that are ecologically and

economically important, but vulnerable even to

mild disturbances, and hence demand careful

management.

Current Science, Vol 100(2) 25/1/11 pages 175-182

Ecological sensitivity

• Public inputs:• Resolutions of several Gram Sabhas in

Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts

• Proposals from NGOs:

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• Proposals from NGOs:

• Kodagu

• Sahyadri and Kodachadri Ecologically Sensitive Areas

• SWGM

All of Western Ghats

• Since all of Western Ghats qualify as Ecologically Sensitive Area on several of

Pronab Sen Cmt criteria, WGEEP proposes that the entire tract be regarded

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proposes that the entire tract be regarded as an

“Ecologically Significant Area”

Ecological sensitivity zones

• Within Western Ghats, one may recognize:

• Regions of highest sensitivity = Ecosensitive core

• Regions of high sensitivity = ESZ1

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• Regions of high sensitivity = ESZ1

• Regions of moderate sensitivity= ESZ2

• Regions of low sensitivity = ESZ3

• Regions of lowest sensitivity = Ecologically significant matrix

Marrying Conservation to

Development

• The entire Western Ghats tract may serve as a laboratory for fashioning development programmes compatible with nature

conservation and social justice

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conservation and social justice

• Emphasize conservation and efficient use of resources- green architecture, rain water

harvests

• Avoiding waste

• Creating wealth from waste – energy from sewage, fertilizer from kitchen waste

Development strategy needs to be elaborated for various sectors with respect to

Ecosensitive core, ESZ1, ESZ2,

ESZ3 & Ecologically significant matrix

• Lessons from Himachal Pradesh,

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• Lessons from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim

• Lessons from Costa Rica, Australia, Norway, Switzerland

Ecologically Sensitive Area : Talkat, Dodamarg, Sindhudurg - 1

• It is necessary to consider following things for conservation of forest, and development of the village:

• Watershed development programme : • Though we have perennial streams as a water source for

village, it is important to plan methods for efficient use of these resources. In summer orchards do not get enough water due to lack of planning. It is possible to build Nala

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water due to lack of planning. It is possible to build Nalabunds and small dams for water storage. Each Wadi in

village is need of this.• Perennial streams are present in Western Ghats ridges in

the village. It is possible to build mini-hydel projects for power generation on these streams. There is need to

study this possibility.


• It is needed to improve present condition of Cashewnut and arecanut orchards. In the area where forest and

enough water sources for horticulture are not present, we can develop agroforestry dependent on rainwater.

We require training and funds from government for this.

• At present we don’t have nursery of plants. We can

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• At present we don’t have nursery of plants. We can develop one indigenous plant nursery through self help

groups

• Village tourism: Traditional houses, orchards and greenery in our village attract tourists. Our people from

Mumbai come here along with their city friends. There is scope to develop village as a tourist place.


• Human- Wild life conflict- Location of Talkat village is near to forest. Orchards are surrounded by forest. The forest area in the village is

blessed with rich wildlife as it is a part of forest between Amboli-Tillari. We are living with this wildlife since years. But these days we

are facing nuisance from monkey, sambar, elephant and leopard. While preparing development plan we have to consider this issue.

• We do like to live with wildlife.

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• We do like to live with wildlife.• This is what we think. Government and villagers should work on development plan of Ecologically Sensitive Area. We are ready to do it. Because projects like mining are hazardous for our life as well

as it will destroy our income source. Instead of such projects we would like to have our village in Ecologically Sensitive area.

Sahyadri and

Kodachadri

Ecologically

Sensitive

Areas

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SESA

KESA

Areas

proposals

What do we want in SESA?

1. No displacement of people at all.

2. No activity or land use practice which is harmful to ecology and environment (like some of the industries, mining projects) and which either causes destruction/degradation or pollution of soil, water, air and living beings.

3.Give stake and incentive to people in and around ESA’s educate and motivate them; and force the implementation

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educate and motivate them; and force the implementation of constitutional amendments on GP’s, TP’s, ZP’s, Ministries, MLA’s, MP’s in regard to promoting eco matters – however, no proposals to translate this into practice, no consultation with local communities in formulation of proposals.

4. A thorough study and data collection of flora, fauna and natural resources; and undertaking necessary steps, including research, to maintain, sustain, enhance biorichness as well as biodiversity.

Experts indicate that SESA/KESA are too big for management, and that it should be

reduced to smaller areas like Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Panchagani. This is

ridiculously absurd in the context of saving WG. i.e. if we want to save the biodiversity towards saving the WG from further loot.

Reluctance to experiment and hesitation to

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towards saving the WG from further loot. Reluctance to experiment and hesitation to a take bold step when we have come to this

pass and thus far, indicate timidity, irresponsibility and insincerity on the part of

the govt., bureaucracy and various committees and panels appointed by them.

SESA proposal

• We, from the people, have submitted our proposals based on the guidelines issued

by the Govt. The Govt. and the administrators have sat on it for seven years. And now the very criteria in the

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years. And now the very criteria in the guidelines and their applicability are being questioned. This, to us is breach of trust

and insincerity of the system and its offshoot, the WGEEP, if our proposals are

not utilized and developed further in the interest of saving our ecology.

SESA proposals

• Whatever the arrangement, it is imperative that SESA ensure

protection under legal provisions, if the continued services provided by these forests are to be assured for

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these forests are to be assured for the present and the future.

Principles governing development

controls and programmes for SESA

• Only those activities shall be permitted or promoted that enhance and conserve biodiversity and protect and enhance the water resources of the area.

• Activities to be promoted would focus on

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• Activities to be promoted would focus on restoration of native flora and rehabilitation of natural assets.

• Only those activities shall be permitted or promoted that will rehabilitate the wildlife spaces and niches available in the areas.

Sahyadri Ecology Authority –a highly cenrtalized one- will review the existing

gamut of planning activities• Plans necessary to be examined and

scrutinized would include:• Development plans of panchayats and

towns falling in the areas prepared under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional

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the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.

• The management plans for wildlife sanctuaries and national parks falling in the area.

• Working plans of the respective forest departments.

SESA proposals:Plans necessary to be examined

• Zoning Atlases, if prepared, for the districts involved.

• Planning component of development proposal originating from the Planning

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proposal originating from the Planning Commission (Central and State).

• Any statutory land use plans of the individual states.

• Coastal Zone Management Plans in so far as they impinge on SESA.

SESA proposals

• SEA shall thereafter interact with the local and other planning authorities to

reformulate the SESA component of these planning areas and bring them in line with

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planning areas and bring them in line with the principles governing special

development programmes reserved for SESA

SESA proposals

• All development plans in force or proposed for these areas shall be in harmony with the above stated broad principles and no

activities which conflict with these

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activities which conflict with these principles would be permitted or further

encouraged in these areas.

SESA proposals

• Where there are no such existing plans, the SEA together with its state

components shall ensure that village level and district level plans with these

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and district level plans with these intentions are drawn up by competent

persons or agencies through transparent processes involving persons already

residing in the area – how? no mechanism proposed.

SESA proposals

• SEA will also identify within a period of two years activities that are destructive of biodiversity and which therefore need to be restricted or closed down or relocated. Activities to be discouraged, phased out or banned or prohibited would also

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phased out or banned or prohibited would also include industrial-scale horticulture or

monocultures of any kind. Certain types of agricultural activities like the use of pesticides,

use of bulldozers, etc., would also be absolutely banned in view of their impacts on bird and bee

populations.

SESA proposals

• All Plans will become operational only after

approval of the Ministry of Environment &

Forests. Subsequent to the approval of such

Plans, they must be widely disseminated and

made available to the public by the State

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made available to the public by the State

Governments for comments, which shall also be

sent to the MoEF

• Again, a highly centralized procedure is

proposed.

SESA proposals

• Pending the preparation of and approval by the Ministry of Environment & Forests for all the Plans for SESA, the following

conditions shall be adhered to by the

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conditions shall be adhered to by the Central and State Governments for all activities connected with development

within SESA:

SESA proposals• From the date of this notification, no further changes

will be permitted either allowing dereservation of forests notified under the Indian Forest Act, 1907 or diversion of forest lands under the Indian Forest Act, 1980. Neither will authorities be permitted to change or modify the existing boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks within the SESA.

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sanctuaries and national parks within the SESA.• There shall be no reduction in the Tribal Areas –what

are these? No mention of FRA- /Green Areas/ Agricultural Areas identified as such as on the date of this notification.

• Absolute height of buildings shall not exceed 9 meters and number of storeys shall not exceed ground plus one upper. This does not include hospitals and specialized non-commercial buildings in urban areas.

SESA proposals

• Any new construction in other areas of the eco-sensitive zone will be in accordance with the norms

laid out in this notification. The relevant local Government Departments or authorities shall be

responsible for following the norms laid out in this notification while according building and other

construction licenses.

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• The Development Plans (DP) shall demarcate all common lands, grazing lands, gaothans (or their

equivalent revenue categories), gaothan expansion areas, forests, green areas, horticultural areas,

agricultural areas, orchards, tribal areas including tribal hamlets, natural springs, natural heritage sites, sacred groves (locally known as Devara Kadu / Devrai / Kans) and other environmentally and ecologically sensitive

areas.

SESA proposals

• No change of land use from green uses such as horticulture areas, agriculture, and others to non-green uses shall be

permitted. However the concerned

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permitted. However the concerned Authority may permit conversion of

barren lands for the purpose of residential construction for personal uses

and petty shops and notified activities. No change of land use from tribal to non-

tribal uses shall be permitted.

SESA proposals

• Green land uses that require excessive water extraction in upper and lower catchment areas and

/or which require excessive as well as high potency chemical fertilizers and pesticides etc and

other practices harmful to the ecology, soil and subsoil water in the SESA must be discouraged,

reduced and eventually stopped in the SESA.

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reduced and eventually stopped in the SESA. Economically attractive and ecologically

sustainable alternatives must be explored and encouraged. This must be reflected in the DP. The

Plans shall provide for restoration of denuded areas, management of catchment areas, provision

for fuel wood and needs of local community. However this should be done without converting

forest lands (owned by forest department / revenue department / private parties).

SESA proposals

• The DP shall place special emphasis on providing protection to threatened and /

or endemic species of plants and animals within SESA and shall

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animals within SESA and shall incorporate measures to conserve the

same.

SESA proposals

The DP should also cover the following subjects:

- Eco-friendly and sustainable livelihood and development options within the SESA region.

- Sustainable grazing plans.

- Sustainable and ecologically benign agriculture,

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- Sustainable and ecologically benign agriculture, promotion of local land races, organic farming practices.

- Solid waste management guidelines, based on segregation, recycling, composting etc.

- Actions and strategies for rain water harvesting

The SESA DP should also cover the

following subjects:

- Construction of roads, and guidelines for the same

- Measures and stipulations of regulating traffic especially through-traffic in the SESA.

- Measures for rejuvenation of water sources and

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- Measures for rejuvenation of water sources and village level watershed management systems

- Building regulations for townships

- Conservation plans for natural and man made heritage sites, gene pool reserves and growth

centers.

SESA proposals

- Special focus on identification and protection of threatened / endemic species

of plants and animals and their habitats.

- Provisions of the Western Ghats Eco-

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- Provisions of the Western Ghats Eco-region Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan,

and the Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka Biodiversity Strategy Action Plans.

Land use policy

• Competing demands over land; land acquisition policy; displacement and

rehabilitation• Kodagu ESA proposals: Kodagu is a hilly area

with extremely high rain fall. It is therefore

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with extremely high rain fall. It is therefore necessary to give due importance to land

stability during construction of roads as well as buildings. There is also a need to prevent

proliferation of mines and quarries.

Land use policy

• Kodagu ESA proposals

• Town and city delimitation- Restriction on extension of existing town/city limits without approval of monitoring body.

• Villages in close proximity to towns and cities will

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• Villages in close proximity to towns and cities will not be included in the town/ city limits without approval from respective Gram Sabhas.

• Restriction on conversion of wetlands and coffee plantations into commercial sites for development of residential layouts or other non-agricultural purposes.

Kodagu ESA proposals

• Restriction on heights of buildings and on number of storeys.

• Rules and regulations regarding town and

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• Rules and regulations regarding town and country planning to be strictly implemented.

• Building permission should be denied on hill sides with slopes in excess of a prescribed incline.

Water use policy

• Competing demands over land; displacement and rehabilitation

• Policy options for land use in upper catchments of Western Ghats streams

• Competing demands of maintenance of environmental flows, irrigation, power, industrial, domestic and

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flows, irrigation, power, industrial, domestic and recreational uses, sand mining

• Policy options for maintenance of Environmental Flows

• SWGM:Rivers, Lakes and other natural fresh water source should not be leased or sold to MNCs or any

other conglomerates. There are enough and more rivers flowing to the East from the Western Ghats, and hence

no attempt should be made to turn any river to east. Protect River basins .

Water Use

• Case study: Athirapally

• Mining destroying natural springs

• Siltation of streams and rivers, river floods

• Groundwater depletion

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• Groundwater depletion

• Case studies from Goa mining tracts

Agriculture

• Major contexts

• Valley Agriculture and Horticulture

• Hill Slope Agriculture

• Hill Slope Horticulture

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• Hill Slope Horticulture

• Plantation crops

Agriculture

• Policy options for

• Organic agriculture

• Genetically modified crops

• C sequestration in agricultural soils;

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• C sequestration in agricultural soils; Australian scheme

• Erosion of crop cultivars; PPVFR

Agriculture

• SWGM:The WG area would be a role model for

the country on Organic farming

• No agro Chemicals and pesticides. No GM

Crops in this Biodiversity rich Western Ghats,

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Crops in this Biodiversity rich Western Ghats,

absolute no even to plantation crops, coffee, Tea

Rubber, Areca nut, Coconut . Coffee , Tea or

other estates when abandoned / or whose lease

is over, should not be permitted again.

Agriculture


• Providing assistance for GI certification of Kodagu produce to include Kodagu coffee

and Kodagu honey.

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and Kodagu honey.

• Implementing schemes related to floriculture etc with sizeable subsidies for

the local farmers.

Animal Husbandry

• Ban on goats?

• Policy options for maintenance of livestock land races

• Pastoral communities like Todas,

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• Pastoral communities like Todas, Dhangars

• Kodagu ESA proposals:

• Implementing schemes related to animal husbandry, bee keeping, etc with sizeable subsidies for the local farmers.

Fisheries

• Policy options for:

• Habitat degradation

• Water flow disruption

• Overexploitation

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• Overexploitation

• Pollution

• Destructive fishing methods

• Aquarium fish trade

Community Lands

• Community Grazing Lands: Encroachments, Grazing regulation

• Community Forest Lands: Cumindad lands

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• Community Forest Lands: Cumindad lands of Goa

Reserved Forests

• SWGM:

• Forests should not be destroyed for Wind Mills

or Power lines – (how about laterite plateus?)

• When tree plantation and afforestation work is

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• When tree plantation and afforestation work is

undertaken, no exotic species should be

planted, only local species should be planted.

• Mono culture plantations, including Oil yielding

trees, even by Forest Department should be

banned

Reserved Forests

• Kodagu ESA proposals• [a] Formation of core committee to look into

encroachments. This should include revenue and forest department officials

• [b] Proper boundary demarcation of forest areas, river banks and sacred groves.

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banks and sacred groves.

• [c] Removal of encroachments from forests, river banks and sacred groves.

• [d] Core committee to periodically review status of forest lands, sacred groves and river banks in order to prevent any fresh encroachments.

Reserved Forests

• Kodagu ESA proposals• Ecological Territorial Army Unit

• There is a strong case for setting up an Eco- TA unit for Kodagu. Such units are carrying out excellent work in other regions of India. The man power is from retired

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in other regions of India. The man power is from retired Defence Service Personnel, with a core team of

serving Army officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Non- Commissioned officers. The unit in Kodagu

could take up the following key tasks:• [i] Forest protection- Prevention of poaching and illegal

logging• [ii] Identification and reporting of any fresh forest

encroachments

Kodagu ESA proposals: Ecological Territorial Army Unit

• [iii] Rejuvenation of degraded forest land- this should include the important task of phasing out teak monoculture in the eastern belt forests of Kodagu and planting indigenous tree species

• [iv]Raising nurseries for saplings of indigenous tree

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• [iv]Raising nurseries for saplings of indigenous tree species- The saplings should also be made available to the local farmers at reasonable rates. This would go a long way in reintroducing local tree varieties in the coffee estates. At present, the tree diversity in the coffee estates is being adversely affected due to monoculture of silver oak.

• [v] Preventing and combating forest fires.

• [vi] Developing and improving water points for wildlife.

Joint Forest Management and the

Forest Rights Act

• Community Forest Resource

regimes

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Protected Areas

• Critical Wildlife Areas

• Ecologically Sensitive Areas around PAs may be managed as ESZ1

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may be managed as ESZ1

• SWGM:Charge more for people who wish to enter National Parks and reserves.

Joint Protected Areas Management

• BRT Hills proposal

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Traditional Conservation Practices

• Policy options for promoting traditional conservation ethos and practices, sacred

groves, rivers, ponds

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Human- Wildlife Conflict


• Providing funds and resources for mitigation of Human elephant conflict.

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Village Industries and Handicrafts

• VGKK experiences of developing forest based enterprises

• Bamboo, cane

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Organized Industry


• Only non-polluting industries to be permitted

• Setting up agro/plantation based industries in Kodagu, such as coffee and pepper processing plants, fruit

canning units, etc.

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canning units, etc.

• SWGM:

• No polluting Industries on West Coast, for their emissions directly affect flora and hence fauna ,

denuding the Western Ghats; it will also affect health and even psyche of people.

• Goa Golden Jubilee Development Council

• Proposed environmentally benign industrial activities

Mining


• No fresh licenses should be issued for mining or quarrying. Renewal of existing

leases will be subject to approval from the

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leases will be subject to approval from the monitoring committee.

• SWGM:

• No mining to be permitted in any part of Western Ghats

Power

• Demand side and supply side management

• Power generation

• Power transmission

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• Power transmission

• Conservation

• Any party wishing to use air conditioning should be obliged to do so only using

power generated through solar panels, put up at their own cost

Power

• SWGM:

• No new dams or tail race projects.

• Run of the river projects to be encouraged so also small power stations.

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so also small power stations.

• Other energy systems that could be encouraged would be biomass based

• Generate energy from sewage, water hyacinth, waste from food processing

plants

TourismSWGM:

Strengthen and promote (by not allowing 5 star establishments ) Home based Eco-tourism

Kodagu ESA proposals[a] Constitution of a tourism regulatory body

[b] A cap on issue of licenses for construction of any new tourist

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[b] A cap on issue of licenses for construction of any new tourist resort or expansion of existing facilities, until a complete review

is carried out with regard to carrying capacity and effects of tourism.

[c] Formulation of a tourism master plan by the regulatory body[d] A total ban on new tourist resorts within ten km of Protected

Areas[e] A review of the Karnataka Tourism development policy with

regard to areas in the Western Ghats.

Transport and Communication

SWGM:

No more Airports. Growth of Mobile

towers should be restricted.


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Kodagu is a hilly area with extremely high rain fall.

It is therefore necessary to give due importance

to land stability during construction of roads as

well as buildings.

Human Settlements

• Shelter: Promote green architecture, rain water harvesting

• Domestic Energy

• Drinking Water: Strongly discourage use of individual plastic bottles

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individual plastic bottles

• Sanitation

• Solid waste disposal: Compulsory segregation of garbage

• Ban use of plastic carry-bags

• Toxic and biomedical wastes: Disposal into ground water

Human Setlements


• All cities and towns must have proper sewage treatment facilities. At present, untreated raw

sewage is released directly into rivers and streams that feed the tributaries to River Cauvery.

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that feed the tributaries to River Cauvery.

• Proper garbage and disposal and waste management facilities must be set up in the cities

and towns

• Bio-medical waste- Proper bio medical waste management facilities must be made mandatory for

both government and private hospitals

Nutrition

• Loss of wild edible plants

• Loss of fish, traditionally hunted wild animals

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animals

Should culling of wild pigs be legalised?

Health

• Breathing in dust day in and day out

• Polluted waters – even ground water

• Food with pesticide, heavy metal residues

• Choked traffic, accidents

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• Choked traffic, accidents

• What are the policy options?

Health


• Setting up health care centers in remote areas to provide in-situ affordable health

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areas to provide in-situ affordable health care to communities in and around forest

areas of Kodagu

Education

• Promote student activities to monitor local environmental parameters and create a

public, transparent database

• Promote environmentally positive action

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• Promote environmentally positive action by students, going beyond tree planting

Science and technology

• Promote green technologies

• Case study: Kerala

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• Case study: Kerala

• Promote Citizen Science

• Australian River Watch model

Managing information

• Follow the lead of Goa Regional Plan 2021, that has put together an excellent

GIS database, pulling together information from diverse agencies, could be used in

many ways, e.g. to identify mine degraded

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many ways, e.g. to identify mine degraded areas outside mining leases; or to identify

encroachments in riverine areas

• Government agencies should proactively disclose information as required by RTI

Managing information

• No information is currently available on vital issues such as natural springs

• Potential valuable role of student projects

• Need to create publicly accessible,

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• Need to create publicly accessible, transparent, participatory database on

environmental resources

Institutional arrangements

• Political Institutions

• Gandhian ideal of self-governing local communities

• Democratic devolution: Operationalizing 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Constitution

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and 74th Amendments of the Constitution

• Social audits

• Engaging people in planning and monitoring of environmental resources

• Participatory monitoring programmes like Paryavaran Vahini

• Put in place a grievance redressal system

Legal and administrative provisions

towards Environmental Protection

• Case studies of Environmental Impact Analyses, Public Hearing process,

Environmental Clearances and Environmental Management Plans:

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Environmental Management Plans: Lavasa, Rivan, Devpan, Gundia,

Athirapally

Legal and administrative provisions

towards Environmental Protection

Case studies of Forest Clearances: Goa

Case studies of pollution control measures

• Lote MIDC

• Ore transport in Goa

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• Ore transport in Goa

Reforms desired

Towards social harmony

• Tailoring economic growth to carrying capacity

• Carrying capacity can go up through technological, social innovations

• Promote an inclusive approach towards environmental protection

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environmental protection

• Mines and other industries to proactively disclose all environmentally and socially

pertinent information

• No mine- or any such activity- to be allowed to continue if rules are flouted

• Environmental ombudsman

Western Ghats Ecology Authority

• Should be a Statutory Authority authorized to take actions under Section 5 of

Environmental Protection Act, 1986

• State level organization?

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• State level organization?

SESA proposals: Composition and

Structure• The Sahyadri Ecology Authority (SEA) shall be

constituted by the Central Government in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, consisting of the following members for a term of 3 years.

The membership of the Authority should be such that at least 50% of the members are non-official

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that at least 50% of the members are non-official members and should be from the SESA area. The selection of non-official members of the

Authority shall be undertaken through an open nomination process and through the

establishment of a Search Committee appointed by the MoEF.

SESA proposals: SEA Composition

and Structure

Chairperson: An eminent and competent

environmentalist or administrator or retired judge

of the Supreme Court or concerned High Court

or an environmental scientist having adequate

knowledge of the Western Ghats and

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knowledge of the Western Ghats and

environmental issues

.Members: One representative of the State

Governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and

Goa from their Departments of Environment and

Forests.


and Structure

• Members: Three representatives of NGOs or noted environmentalists from each of the concerned States.

• Members: Eminent experts and practitioners in the field of social science, anthropology,

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the field of social science, anthropology, research methodology, ecology, botany, environmental justice, social justice etc.

• Member Secretary: A representative of the Ministry of Environment and Forest in the level of an Additional Secretary


and Structure

The SEA is empowered to co-opt one or more persons as its members or as

special invitees for dealing with specific issues. While dealing with issues

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issues. While dealing with issues pertaining to a particular State, wherever

feasible, the Conservator of Forests of the particular Forest Circle shall be co-opted

as a member.

SESA proposals: SEA

Functions• The Authority shall have the powers to take the

following measures for protecting and improving

the quality of the environment of SESA and

preventing, abating, regulating, monitoring and

controlling environmental degradation and

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controlling environmental degradation and

pollution in the areas covered by the SESA

Notification in general and shrinkage, alteration

of natural composition, denudation and depletion

of forests, flora, fauna and natural resources

within SESA, in particular.

SESA proposals: SEA

Functions

• (i) To exercise powers under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for issuing directions and for taking measures with respect to matters referred to in clauses (v), (vi), (vii) (viii), (ix), (x) and (xii) of sub-section (2) of section

24/3/11 136

(viii), (ix), (x) and (xii) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the said Act;

• (ii) To act as a 'Protection and Monitoring' authority, responsible for the implementation of the provisions of the SESA notification.

• (iii) To take all measures related to protecting and promoting the environment of the SESA in consultation with the Working Plans of the Forest Department.

SESA proposals: SEA

Functions(iv) To undertake activities for the protection and

improvement of the environment of the SESA according to the various Development and Management Plans as

specified in this Notification.

(v) To deal with any other relevant environmental issues pertaining to the SESA, including those which may be

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pertaining to the SESA, including those which may be referred to it by the Central Government in the Ministry of

Environment and Forests.

(vi) To draw up guidelines for drawing up the various Plans for SESA to follow a participatory and transparent process. Such Guidelines shall be formulated as

specified in the SESA notification within one month of the constitution of the SEA and all the SSCs.

SESA proposals: SEA

Functions(vii) The SEA should make specific recommendations for

the drafting of the various Development and Protection Plans as mandated in the Notification, especially the

Tourism Development Plans and the Areas Development Plans.

(viii) To ensure that the execution of various Plans so

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(viii) To ensure that the execution of various Plans so developed, adhere to the restrictions, rules and

provisions of the SESA Notification.

(xi) Pending the preparation of the various Plans for the SESA, and their approval by the Ministry of Environment

& Forests, the SEA shall ensure compliance with the provisions of the SESA Notification.

SESA proposals: SEA

Functions(x) The SEA and representatives from the three State Standing Committees shall be a part of the

Committee for drafting the Private Forest Protection Plans.

(xii) The SEA shall be the final authority to give special permission for limited quarrying of

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(xii) The SEA shall be the final authority to give special permission for limited quarrying of

materials required for the construction of local residential housing and traditional road making and maintenance work in the municipal council areas of SESA only, provided that such areas

are not forest lands and that such material quarried are not minor or major minerals.

SESA proposals: SEA

Functions(xiii) Inquire into cases of violations of the provisions of

the SESA Notification brought to its notice, and if found necessary, issue directions under section 5 of the EP Act. For this purpose the SEA shall have the power to:

(a) Call for any documents from any person or the government of the Union or the State or any other official.

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government of the Union or the State or any other official.

(b) Summon any person and receive evidence from such person on oath either on affidavit or otherwise.

(c) Seek assistance / presence of any persons(s) / official(s) required by it in relation to its work.

(xiv) Review of cases involving violations of the provisions of the SESA Notification, if found necessary to refer with comments to the MoEF for review.

SESA proposals: SEA

Functions(xv) The SEA shall be empowered to invite any person/ organisation to particular meetings, to undertake or call

for studies to be undertaken which are necessary for the discharge of its functions, and also to hold public hearings on specific issues at any specific place.

The manner and means of doing so will be decided by the

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The manner and means of doing so will be decided by the SEA. The respective State Governments shall assist the

SEA with logistical assistance.

(xvi) The SEA shall be empowered to promote capacity building programmes for the involvement of local people

in the monitoring and implementing process for the purpose of ensuring local representation on the SEA in

following tenures.

SESA proposals: SEA

Functions(xvii) The SEA may decide its own procedure for

dealing with matters related to the implementation of the SESA notification and its

own functioning.

III. The SEA shall meet as frequently as required

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III. The SEA shall meet as frequently as required but not less than once a month. Meetings should be held as far as possible in a manner and time suitable to all members. The SEA shall ensure

that at least two third of its members are present during its meetings. The SEA can function, and

decisions may be taken with 2/3rd quorum.

SESA proposals: SEA

FunctionsThe SEA shall furnish a report of its activities at

least once in 6 months to the MoEF.

Such reports should be translated and published in

the regional language by the MoEF & made

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the regional language by the MoEF & made

available to the public on request by both the

SEA and the MoEF. Any other relevant reports,

annual accounts etc shall also be published in

the regional language and be made available to

the public.

SESA proposals: SEA

Functions• The expenses and honorarium of the members of the SEA shall be borne by the

MoEF.

• The MoEF shall consult with the SEA on

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• The MoEF shall consult with the SEA on the budget and other financial aspects of

the functioning of the Authority.

SESA proposals: State Standing

Committees (SSC)• In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 23 of the

Act, read with sub-rule (4) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government

hereby constitutes State Standing Committees for the purpose of implementation of the SESA notification. The State Standing Committees for each of their States shall

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State Standing Committees for each of their States shall be constituted according to composition outlined below and with suggestion invited from the Secretaries, State Governments in their Departments of Environment and

Forests. The purpose of the SSCs is to assist in the monitoring and decision-making of the SESA, in so far

as it falls within the jurisdiction of the three different states.

SESA proposals: Composition of

SSC

Secretary, State Departments of Environment, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka are requested provide the

24/3/11 146

names of the suitable members to assist the MoEF in making a final

selection within one month from the date of publication of this notification.


SSC

1. District Collector (or such deputy officer designated by the D.C) Chairperson

2. Representative of local elected bodies

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2. Representative of local elected bodies (Zilla Parishad), Member

3. Representative of District Panchayat, Member

4. Representative from the Department of Agriculture, Member


SSC

5. Representative from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Member

6. Two representatives of local NGOs / noted environmentalists, Member

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noted environmentalists, Member

7. The Honorary Wildlife Warden of the districts, Member

8. Representative from Forest Department not below the level of ACE, Member-Secretary

SESA proposals: Functions of SSC

1. The concerned State Standing Committees shall assist the SEA in the monitoring and implementation of the provisions of the SESA Notification, and shall extend all possible assistance in gathering data and in fulfilling any requests made by the SEA for the purpose of the SESA Notification. This does not include the power to accord

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Notification. This does not include the power to accord permission to any development project, which is the responsibility of the SEA alone.

2. The concerned State Standing Committees shall participate in the drafting of all the development and protection plans of the region and shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the drafting process is participatory.

SESA proposals: Functions of SSC

3. The concerned State Standing Committees may take all necessary steps to interact between the local authorities, bodies and people and the SEA, for purposes of the SESA Notification and its effective implementation.

4. The State Standing Committee shall assist the SEA in monitoring the implementation of all the approved plans

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monitoring the implementation of all the approved plans within SESA.

5. The State Standing committees shall meet and as often as required but not less than once a month. Reports of the State Standing Committees shall furnish a report of its activities to the SEA at least once in two months. Such reports shall be made available to the public on request.

WGEEP would work out and

suggest a down- top, bottom- up

approach

• Western Ghats Ecology Authority, as well as

State level Ecology Authorities would play a

facilitatory role, provide broad guidelines and

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facilitatory role, provide broad guidelines and

support

• Guidelines would be fine tuned to the

contexts of PAs, Ecosensitive core, ESZ1,

ESZ2, ESZ3, and the Ecologically significant

matrix

An environmentally and socially

sustainable development process• Joint Protected Area Management systems would be promoted in all PAs

• An effective bottom up process of development planning, and regulations

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development planning, and regulations and promotion within the bounds of

guidelines proposed for the various zones will be promoted throughout the region

Kindly note that this presentation incorporates excerpts from several

sources, including representations from civil society.

WGEEP has welcomed such submissions and is actively examining them. All such

excerpts are underlined in this

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excerpts are underlined in this presentation. However their inclusion does not necessarily imply their acceptance by

WGEEP.

The other material in this presentation represents what has been prepared by

WGEEP.

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