DOES GADGIL REPORT SUGGEST TO DO AWAY WITH DAMS ON WESTERN GHAT INCLUDING IDUKKI AND MULLAPERIYAR

Western Ghats are the home of the rare and large biodiversity spanning over six Indian states. Madhav Gadgil was appointed as chairman of Environmental Research Commission by Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. The commission submitted it's report to the government on 31 August 2011.

Western Ghats make home for many endangered plants and animals. These long ghats host India's richest wilderness in 13 national parks and several sanctuaries. Recognised by UNESCO as one of the world's eight most important biodiversity hotspots, these forested hills are also sourcing to numerous rivers, including the Godaveri, Krishna and Cauvery.

Prime recommendations by the commission.

The entire ghat range is designated ecologically sensitive area.

All developmental activities like mining, thermal power plants etc are restricted in this area.

No new dams should be permitted in the ecologically sensitive zones.

Gadgil Commission report has, however, attracted wide range of criticism. The Commission while considering the ecological balance, totally ignored the ground realities is the prime among the criticism.  Recently in a TV discussion about the ecological balance of the Western Ghats, a farmer from Idukki has interfered and asked, when so much of restrictions are imposed including constructions, how could many dams be afforded in this sensitive region. No one could answer him properly.

In fact it is a very relevant subject. While all hue and cry is made over the construction of  buildings with the weight of few tonnes, dams weighing millions of tonnes are allowed. Over and above, when this pro and cons discussions are on, another discussion is being taken place for construction of another dam at Athirappally which too is falling in the sensitive zone. The whole things look like an ecological comedy.

K V George