Western Ghats Calling: Fractured Vision, Sectoral Action

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Fractured Vision, Sectoral Action

Western Ghats Calling - 5

(For Planning Commission of the country, the Western Ghats falls under the Hill Area Development Programme. Though it has been given a special status since the early 70's, the approach has been development oriented and not conservation centric. Whatever information one could cull out from the official website of the Planning Commission indicates a skewed vision towards the Western Ghats - which is sectoral and welfare priented. Further, the programmes are state-specific and do not presume the Western Ghats to be an ecological continuum of immense significance, if climate change is anything to go by. Planning and Governance will be subjects of intense discussion at the upcoming national meeting to Save Western Ghats on Feb 8-10, 2009 in Goa.)

The 1600 kms length of the Western Ghats, from the mouth of river Tapti in Dhule district of Maharashtra and ending at Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, has been beset with ecological and environmental problems like increasing pressure of population on land and vegetation; submergence of forest areas under river valley projects, encroachment on forest lands; clear felling of forests for raising tea, coffee, rubber and other plantations; mining operations, soil erosion, land slides; shifting cultivation; and declining wildlife population.

The region generally receives 2000 mm to 7000 mm of rainfall. Most of the rivers in peninsular India have their origin in Western Ghats of which Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Kali and Periyar are of inter-State importance. These water resources have been harnessed for irrigation and power. About thirty per cent of the area of the Western Ghats region is under forest. The region is also a treasure house of plant and animal life. The traditional horticulture crops in the region are arecanut in the hills, and coconut in the coast along with mango and jack fruit. Tea, coffee, rubber, cashew and tapioca are the other important plantations/crops of the region.

Launched in 1974-75, the Western Ghats Development Programme (WGDP) aimed at eco-development, eco-restoration and eco-preservation of the region. While during the 5th Five Year Plan the emphasis was on well-being of the population, it drifted to an integrated approach through watershed development in the 8th and 9th Plans. If the website of the Planning Commission is any indication, the Western Ghats Development Programme hinges on programmatic areas like maintenance of ecological balance essential for the life support system; preservation of genetic diversity; and restoration of ecological damage caused by human interaction.

However, in reality the overall ecological situation in the Western Ghats is anything but pathetic. Destructive infrastructure projects have ravaged the fragile eco-systems in the region. Given the fact that the programmatic focus in sectoral and state-specific, the net impact has failed to outpace the manmade destruction in the Western Ghats. The releases in this column provide indication of the manner in which the `oxygen bank' of the country is made to lose its sheen. Given the fact that the climate change clouds are hovering over the region, it is time the Western Ghats get viewed as an ecological continuum and liberated from the welfare-fixation of the Planning Commission. Is there anyone listening?

(based on information available at the Planning Commission website and related link, the information is not exhaustive and readers are encouraged to make contributions)

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Save Western Ghats Movement (SWGM)

SWGM has an unpleasant history. Hailed by India Today as one of the finest post-independence environmental movement, the mid-1980s march along the pristine 'ghats' had to wither away on account of internal squabbling between the organizers. Between 2006 till 2008, Sudhirendar Sharma got an opportunity to travel across the region to capture the latent energy among diverse actors to reignite the past. Together with Pandurang Hegde, who carried the painful memories of the past, the Save Western Ghats Movement of the 80's was revived at Peaceful Society in Goa in 2009. Peaceful Society (led by Kalanand Mani) had played stellar role in anchoring the SWGM in 1988.

SWGM Conferences

Three important congregations of activists, researchers, scientists, artists, politicians and thinkers have been organised since 2009 under the aegis of Save Western Ghats Movement - an informal platform of civil society actors. While the first, in 2009 in Ponda (Goa) revived the erstwhile movement of the mid-80's, the second in Kotagiri (Tamilnadu) in 2010 was major milestone as it led to the setting-up of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. The third congregation at Moodbidri (Karnataka) in 2011 reiterated civil society commitment to conserve the ghats whatever be the outcome of the panel.

Sussegad

Sussegad, meaning `easygoing’, is often associated with the Goans but it does extend to other areas along the Western Ghats, notably hilly parts of Karnataka. Mellowed down by the warmth of the Sun, the coolness of the rains and the wisdom of the green hills, people in these parts of the Western Ghats are known for their simplicity and hospitality. Accommodating as they are, sussegad lends a distinct cultural identity to these people.

When the world elsewhere is racing against materialistic greed, sussegad provides the much desired calming effect. Gandhi used to say: `there is more to life than speed.’ People in the ghats seem to have imbibed that spirit from time immemorial. Being laid back and stealing siesta time during each afternoon may seem out of place for an average outsider but for people here it is an accepted practice that renders them inherent strength – of being in harmony with self, society and nature. It seems sussegad could be for the good of the entire society. Any takers!

Open House

By definition, activists are an interesting bunch of people with high octane levels. At the heart of activism lies the unflinching desire to bring the world on its feet. Unilaterally focussed, immensely committed and socially driven, activists have struggled to carve out a niche for themselves in the shrinking social space. Yet, they enjoy the patronage of the state and its cronies. Had there not been the state with its dubious designs, the breed called activists would not have existed? Wonder, who then is the real activist?

Do you agree with this notion?

All About Frogs

Pictorial Guide to Frogs and Toads of the Western Ghats has been published to help students, researchers, forest managers, photographers and general public in identifying a species in the field along with its status, ecology and distribution. Simultaneously it also aims at bringing awareness about amphibians among general public. This book covers 73 species of 156 frogs and toads recorded from the Western Ghats as of date. Written by Dr. KV Gururaja, the book is available through: http://shop.gubbilabs.in.