What we need is informed debate, says Gadgil

Is the LDF, which speaks about a green agenda in its manifesto, raking up the Western Ghats reports as part of its campaign?

It is an unfortunate state of affairs. What we need is an informed debate and understanding of why Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) report needs to be taken seriously as it is in the benefit of the people staying there. I do not want the report to be implemented from the top. The grama sabhas should sit and discuss the report and come to a consensus. They can decide where the boundaries need to be extended and how much green zones need to be protected. The classic example is of how 20 grama sabhas in Sawantwadi- Dodemarg in Maharashtra passed a resolution stating that they need ESAs. We cannot force any recommendation on people.

Why are political parties scared of touching these core issues?

The parties obviously have vested interests and do not stand for the welfare of the people and are only interested in coming to power. The Forest Rights Act that was implemented in many states in fact came as a boon for protection of forest areas as tribal people became the custodians of the forest and they resisted mining and quarrying in these eco-fragile regions.

What are the limitations of the Gadgil report?

I admit that the bureaucracy tries to exploit these recommendations and ask for heavy bribes to get clearances. In Kerala, people thought this was another version of the Ecologically Fragile Lands Act, which was used to harass people. But what we need is complete consensus from people before drawing up boundaries. The state should create awareness among people staying along the Western Ghats about buffer zones and how implementation of WGEEP report would help protect these integral wildlife corridors which will provide water security for the entire state.

What happens if the local bodies themselves become corrupt?

I agree panchayat members or elected representatives can become corrupt and approve mining projects in core ecological areas. But what is needed is direct democracy where every single person can have a say in approving a particular project or rejecting it.

Why do you think people see Gadgil report cynically?

The state government did not bother to explain the real intentions of the report. They saw this as something that would limit the developmental agenda of the state, which is not the case. We are not against development. We want growth but not at the cost of destruction of environment. The Western Ghats is one of the eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity in the world. We need to preserve it at all cost. (As told to Viju B)