The deadline to respond to the sixth draft notification for the Western Ghats eco-sensitive area (ESA) is looming, with civil society organizations and activists expressing concerns over misinformation and the state government’s rejection of the notification. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change proposed 56,825.7 sq km in six states as ESA, with Karnataka accounting for 20,668 sq km in 10 districts.
Activists like Nirmala Gowda and Sharada Gopal highlighted the lack of clarity and the language barrier in the notification, leading to widespread misinformation. They emphasized the need for proper consultation with local communities and the implementation of recommendations from reports like the Gadgil report on involving gram sabhas in conservation efforts.
Former Forest department secretary A N Yellappa Reddy stressed the importance of protecting the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats, especially in the face of climate change-induced extreme weather events. As the deadline approaches, the call to action to protect this vital ecosystem grows stronger, urging people to come together for the preservation of the Ghats.
[ad_2]
Source link
