Like in Aravalli range, efforts needed to protect Western Ghats too, say experts

Kochi: The Supreme Court's directive to form a high-powered expert committee to re-examine the definition of the Aravalli Range in the north-western India for the conservation of one of the oldest mountains on earth also sheds light on the threats other mountain ranges, including the Western Ghats, face and the urgent steps required to protect them from further anthropogenic activities. While calling for this, experts pointed out that the process of framing definition for what constitutes hills and mountain ranges should be aimed at its protection, not with the intention is mineral mining.Questions also emerged on the central govt continuing to claim an increase in forest cover while admitting to the diversion of forest land for various purposes. They all admitted that the growth of linear infrastructure is the major challenge the hills and mountain ranges face, and thereby the threat to fauna and flora there. Meanwhile, NGOs called for more public awareness to protect the ecologically sensitive areas through scientific reports."We urgently need to clearly zone landscapes where development is prioritised and where conservation must take precedence. India is currently on an infrastructure spree, often without adequate consideration of the long-term ecological costs of nature destruction. Infrastructure and land-use therefore need far stronger regulation," said wildlife scientist Sanjay Gubbi.Ecologically sensitive areas such as high-elevation forests, riparian zones and large contiguous forest blocks must be avoided for mining, large dams, unplanned tourism and other projects with irreversible impacts. At the same time, governance and institutional coordination must improve, as different agencies often work at cross-purposes, he added."Mountain ranges like the Western Ghats face an alarming rise in the development of infrastructure. No attention is given to the ecological sensitivity of the area. There is a need to create ecological literacy among the public by various communities. With ecological literacy, people will take proactive steps for the protection of mountains," said Rajendra Kerkar, coordinator of Goa Foundation.In places like Kerala, quarrying is happening in places where poverty is prevalent. Quarrying is not an ecological issue alone. It has become an issue where democratic process is getting undermined by the mining lobby. They fund the political parties and as long as the funding continues, it is difficult to find a solution to the issue. At many places, tribal lands are being acquired for quarrying purposes, said another expert.