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News – Karnataka Government has submitted its opposition to the Centre against the Kasturirangan Committee report as it can adversely affect the livelihood of people in the region.
What are the important recommendations under the report?
- a)It proposes 37 percent of the total area of Western Ghat be declared as Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA).
(Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are notified by the Ministry of Environment, forest and climate change, MoEFCC) around protected areas. These are declared under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas. They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection)
- b)It recommended a blanket ban on mining, quarrying, setting up of red category industries and thermal power projects.
What are the concerns regarding report implementation
Some States are of concern that it may lead to;
-Loss of livelihood for people dependent on forest resources.
–displacement of locals.
What will be the implications if the recommendations are not implemented
Climate change has grave repercussions for all the globe and especially India, thus, it is prudent that governments accept these recommendations. Otherwise, it can lead to not just an ecological loss but also an economic one, as the cost of conserving these ecosystems will be much lower than their restoration and rejuvenation. State governments should focus on long-term benefits.
What is the way forward?
Central Government can firstly focus on the implementation of clauses that have wide acceptability and then engage in a consultative process with all stakeholders on other recommendations of the report, that are a cause of concern.
About Western Ghats
Source– This post is based on the article “Why Implementation of kasturirangan committee recommendations for western ghats is important” published in The Indian Express on 7th Dec 2021.
