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Source-This post on Landslides in Wayanad has been created based on the article “Madhav Gadgil writes: Wayanad tragedy exposes the gulf between haves and have-nots” published in “The Indian Express” on 8 August 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Disaster and Disaster Management
Context– Recently, severe landslides struck Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district, burying four villages under debris. The disaster has claimed at least 300 lives, with many still missing. Rescue efforts are difficult due to blocked roads, unstable ground, and ongoing threats from the unstable terrain.
What are the issues highlighted by The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP)?
Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel’s (WGEEP) findings, which provide a historical and realistic view of the current situation in India.
1) Historical Context-The British depleted local resources to benefit their own tea and coffee plantations. They also prioritized timber production for military and construction purposes, undermining local resources and communities.
2) Focus on Man-Made Capital– It highlighted that India is exclusively focused on building up highly subsidized man-made capital at the expense of natural, human, and social capital. This is leading to increasing economic, social, educational, and health disparities.
A detailed article on Causes, impact and management of Landslides in India can be read here.
What are the consequences of ignoring WGEEP’s proposals?
The government has ignored the WGEEP’s proposals for over 13 years, neglecting nature and local communities. This delay has worsened problems, with floods and landslides becoming more frequent. For example, landslides in the Maharashtra Western Ghats increased 100-fold from 2011 to 2020 due to rising human activities
What should be the way forward?
1) Implementing WGEEP Guidelines -States should follow the WGEEP’s guidelines, which suggest regulating and planning development based on three levels of ecological sensitivity: high, moderate, and low. These guidelines should start a democratic process, involving local decision-making bodies like gram sabhas and mohalla sabhas, rather than being rigid rules.
2) Environmental Protection and Strengthening Local Democracy -There is an urgent need to protect the environment and strengthen local democratic institutions. Kerala, with its high literacy and tradition of community empowerment, demonstrated this through the People’s Planning Campaign of 1995-96.
Question for practice
What problems did the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) identify, and what are the repercussions of disregarding their recommendations?
