: Western Ghats as eco-sensitive zone: Experts slam those opposing move #IndiaNEWS #National,INSIGHT By M. K. AshokaBengaluru, July 24 (IANS) Karnataka state is prominently in opposition to the implementation

Western Ghats as eco-sensitive zone: Experts slam those opposing move #IndiaNEWS #National ,INSIGHT
By M. K. AshokaBengaluru, July 24 (IANS) Karnataka state is prominently in opposition to the implementation of Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats. Series of meetings have been held by ruling BJP top leaders. The Cabinet has also decided to oppose the report. It has been claimed that the move would affect lakhs of people. A three-day bandh has been planned from July 27.
However, scientists and environmentalists claim that politicians are misguiding people. They explain that there is no proposal as such in the report that will affect livelihoods of people. They charge that politicians are fooling people to protect their hydel projects, resorts, mining activity and other commercial set-ups at the cost of the forest ecosystem crucial for not only Karnataka but for entire south India.
The report proposes that 37 per cent of the total area of Western Ghats, which is about 60,000 square kilometres, should be declared as eco-sensitive area (ESA). Out of this, 20,688 square kilometres will fall in Karnataka state covering 1,576 villages.
The report has recommended prohibition on mining, quarrying, setting up of red category industries and thermal power projects.
Politicians are claiming that there will be loss of livelihood for lakhs of people. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, former CM B. S. Yediyurappa, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra have pledged that they will not let the Union government declare Western Ghats as eco-sensitive zone.
Dr. T. V. Ramachandra, Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), talking to IANS, questioned if the ones opposing even understand what the report is all about. Without understanding the issue, it has been converted into a political circus.
No one has read the report. There is no harm caused to livelihoods of people. Some activities such as industries and resorts will be stopped. The whole issue has been turned into an emotional and election issue. None of the politicians understand what is there in the report. Let them prove on which page it is recommended that the agricultural lands will be taken back? Dr. T. V. Ramachandra questions.
Ecologically sensitive regions help in conserving fragile ecosystems which would sustain livelihoods. It is for people and the approach helps the community through the sustenance of water, better pollination, high yield of crops, and minimal human animal conflicts, he explains.
This emphasises the need for maintaining ecological integrity to sustain the livelihood of the dependent population. 65 per cent of our population depends on farming for livelihood. Protecting their interest is vital for the healthy economy of our nation, he says.

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