Expert panel for curtailing commercial plantations in Western Ghats

Terming the expansion of commercial plantations in Western Ghats as the reason behind its ecological “degradation”, an expert panel has recommended urgent curtailment in the “disastrous” farming practice in the ecologically sensitive zone.

The expert panel, which was set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, has also suggested a policy directive for various commodity boards to address the farmers involved in disastrous farming practices all along the Western Ghats.

“Expansion of commercial plantations in Western Ghats has led to fragmentation of forest, soil erosion, degradation of river ecosystems and toxic contamination of the environment,” the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report said.

The report has been prepared by a panel headed by Mr Madhav Gadgil. It was submitted to the Ministry in August last year.

Suggesting measures for promoting ecologically suitable farming methods in the area, it said, “A policy shift is urgently warranted curtailing the environmentally disastrous practices and switching over to a more sustainable farming approach in the Western Ghats.”

It has also favoured setting up of the proposed ‘Western Ghats Ecology Authority’ to cover the Western Ghats.

“To put such a policy change in practice covering the entire Western Ghats, a coordinating agency with executive powers would be essential. The proposed Western Ghats Ecology Authority will be the best suited one for this task,” the report said.

Giving details of the changes in agri-practices in the area, the report also highlights the toxic impact of pesticides on ecology and environment.

“The quantity of toxic pesticides being pumped into the plantations is so huge that not only has it impacted the ecology and biodiversity of the Ghats, but has also made agriculture unsustainable,” it said.

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