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The Kasturirangan Committee, officially known as the High-Level Working Group (HLWG) on the Western Ghats, was constituted by the Government of India in 2012 to revise and reconsider the recommendations of the earlier Gadgil Committee or Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) report. The task of the committee was to balance the competing needs of conservation and sustainable development in the Western Ghats, one of the most ecologically sensitive regions in the world.
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretches along the west coast of India, covering the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is recognized as one of the eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity globally, home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, including many endemic and endangered species.
The Madhav Gadgil Committee, formed in 2010, recommended a stringent environmental protection regime for the Western Ghats, suggesting that 64% of the region be classified as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). The Gadgil report proposed dividing the Western Ghats into zones of varying sensitivity and called for restrictions on several developmental activities, including mining, large-scale industries, and infrastructure projects. However, the recommendations faced backlash from state governments and local communities due to concerns about restrictions on development, agriculture, and livelihoods.
To address these concerns, the Kasturirangan Committee was formed with a more moderate approach to harmonizing ecological protection with the socio-economic aspirations of the people living in the region.
The Kasturirangan Committee was chaired by Dr. K. Kasturirangan, a renowned space scientist and former chairman of ISRO. The committee consisted of experts in environmental science, biodiversity, and regional planning. It was tasked with reviewing the Gadgil report and coming up with a balanced solution that took into account the needs for both environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Identification of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA): The Kasturirangan Committee recommended that 37% of the Western Ghats (approximately 60,000 sq. km) should be classified as ESA. This was significantly lower than the 64% ESA coverage proposed by the Gadgil Committee. The reduced area aimed to balance conservation with developmental needs while protecting the most ecologically significant areas.
Prohibited Activities: In the identified ESA, the committee recommended banning environmentally destructive activities such as:
While hydropower projects were permitted, the committee emphasized strict environmental regulations and adherence to ecological guidelines.
Sustainable Development: The committee supported promoting sustainable agricultural practices, organic farming, and ecotourism as key livelihood opportunities for people living in the ESA. These activities would not only support economic development but also ensure that the ecological balance of the region is preserved.
Community Involvement and Decentralized Governance: The committee strongly recommended involving local communities in the decision-making process and empowering Gram Panchayats to participate in environmental planning and management. It believed that decentralized governance would enable communities to take ownership of their resources and align development activities with environmental sustainability.
Gradation of the Western Ghats: Instead of the broad zoning recommended by the Gadgil Committee, the Kasturirangan report proposed a more nuanced approach, identifying the most ecologically sensitive areas for protection. It excluded areas that were already heavily populated or urbanized from stringent environmental regulations, recognizing the socio-economic needs of those regions.
Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Restoration: The report emphasized the need for biodiversity conservation in the Western Ghats and called for steps to restore degraded ecosystems. It also supported the establishment of biological corridors to ensure that wildlife habitats remained connected, fostering genetic diversity.
Monitoring and Implementation: The committee suggested setting up a monitoring mechanism to ensure the effective implementation of its recommendations. It also called for the establishment of a Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA) to oversee the conservation efforts and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Despite its attempt to balance conservation and development, the Kasturirangan Committee’s recommendations also faced opposition. Several state governments, particularly Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, expressed concerns over the impact of the ESA designation on local livelihoods, agriculture, and developmental projects. Farmers and local communities feared that the restrictions would hinder economic growth and reduce their access to resources.
Additionally, while the Gadgil Committee was seen as pro-environment and the Kasturirangan Committee as more development-friendly, both reports struggled with political and local resistance. In Kerala, the committee’s recommendations became particularly contentious after the 2018 and 2019 floods, with some blaming poor environmental management for exacerbating the disaster.
The Kasturirangan Committee sought to strike a balance between environmental conservation and development in the Western Ghats, recognizing the ecological sensitivity of the region while addressing the developmental needs of the local population. Its recommendations were more moderate than those of the Gadgil Committee, aiming to protect approximately one-third of the Western Ghats as ESA, while allowing for sustainable economic activities in the remaining areas. However, the implementation of its recommendations continues to be a contentious issue due to opposition from various stakeholders, illustrating the complex challenge of balancing conservation and development in a region of global ecological significance.
The Kasturirangan Committee, officially known as the High-Level Working Group (HLWG) on the Western Ghats, was established by the Government of India in 2012. It was chaired by Dr. K. Kasturirangan, a former ISRO chief, and was tasked with reviewing and suggesting modifications to the recommendations of the earlier Gadgil Committee on the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP).
The Kasturirangan Committee was formed to balance environmental conservation with developmental needs in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. It aimed to propose a revised framework for protecting the ecologically sensitive areas while accommodating the socio-economic needs of the local communities.
The key recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee include:
The Kasturirangan Committee was formed to address the opposition to the Gadgil Committee’s recommendations, which were considered too stringent and potentially detrimental to local livelihoods and developmental activities. The new committee aimed to find a compromise that would protect the environment while also considering socio-economic factors.
The Kasturirangan Committee’s recommendations received mixed responses. While some welcomed the more moderate approach, others, particularly in states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, raised concerns about the impact of the ESA designation on local agriculture, development projects, and livelihoods. The recommendations continue to be a subject of debate and resistance.
Understanding the Kasturirangan Committee’s report is important for civil services candidates as it is relevant to topics related to environmental management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Knowledge of such committees and their recommendations helps in answering questions related to environmental policies and administration effectively.
Detailed information about the Kasturirangan Committee’s report can be found on the official website of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and various government publications. Candidates can also refer to reputable news sources, academic articles, and UPSC preparation books for in-depth analysis.
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