Green Minute News:
Karnataka has sought a study report on the “Carrying Capacity” of Western Ghats by government agencies. In view of the rampant implementation of infrastructure projects, linear structures and encroachments which has resulted in landslides, floods, soil erosion, droughts and micro-climatic changes, the state government has sought a detailed study on Western Ghats’ ability to withstand such rampant degradation of its unique ecosystem.
Rejecting such a study that is done only by government agencies, activists have called for an unbiased independent assessment on the carrying capacity of the Western Ghats in Karnataka and have stressed that the recommendations given by independent experts (with known credentials) must be accepted by the state government.
Speaking to Green Minute Akhilesh Chipli said, “It is of no use if the government bodies and forest officials do the study. No government institute or Karnataka forest department should be involved in the carrying capacity study of Western Ghats”.
Chipli further adds, “We need independent experts or environmental agencies to do the study and not the same government run or aided institutes like the Biodiversity Board, IISc or WII or even BNHS to do the study as time and again, such agencies have failed to do proper independent studies and this has affected the our country’s ecosystem, survival of species, dispersal of species especially in the background of rising human-wildlife conflicts in Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan & Kodagu districts. The Forest Minister should appoint independent experts with known credentials and must accept their independent and unbiased report.”
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has sought this study report within three months that is by August 27, this year. Eshwar Khandre has instructed the Karnataka Forest Department to conduct a detailed study on the carrying capacity of Western Ghats which is the World’s Eighth Hottest Biodiversity Hotspots.
In the wake of continuing landslides in parts of Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and other coastal and Malenadu districts even during the pre-monsoon rains, Forest Minister Eshwar has instructed the various concerned divisions of forest department to conduct a study in the Western Ghats bound districts.
Highlighting the written instructions to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Karnataka Department, Khandre has said that experts have expressed serious concern that many road and other projects are being implemented in the Western Ghats, which has put the Western Ghats’s existence in danger, and is also causing property damage, crop damage, loss of life of wildlife as well people.
Welcoming the state government move, G Veeresh, conservationist and former honorary wildlife warden, Chikkamagaluru said, “Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot and is the birthplace of major rivers like Tunga, Bhadra, Cauvery and other rivers in Karnataka. We have seen the serious consequences of iron ore mining in Kudremukh and cannot afford another disaster like this wherein KIOCL continuance would have destroyed the river sources itself, the lifeline of the people of this state.”
Veeresh further adds, “It is the habitat of tiger, elephants and various other rare, endangered faunal and floral species. In the last few decades, it has been facing big threat and needs independent carrying capacity study due to implementation of many construction projects under the guise of tourism especially in Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu. The Karnataka government has finally woken up to the urgent need for conserving the Western Ghats.”
Citing expert opinion that if there is destruction of the Western Ghats ecosystem, there is a risk of severe water scarcity in the coming years, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has instructed the Member Secretary, Biodiversity Board, Bengaluru, PCCF, EWPRT & CC, Bengaluru, PCCF, Conservation, Bengaluru, and PCCF, (Development), Bengaluru conduct this much needed study on the Carrying Capacity of the Western Ghats.
Ranging from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala to Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, has 60 percent of its total area in Karnataka.
This unique and varied ecosystem is home to a variety of flora, fauna and amphibian, reptile, insect and bird species. Further, the Western Ghats plays a significant role in blocking the monsoon winds and bringing rains to Karnataka, therefore, there is an urgent need for its protection and conservation in the state.