Coimbatore : Coming down heavily on the lack of interest and concern on the part of the authorities towards Western Ghats conservation, Claude Alvares, advisor of the Save Western Ghats Movement claimed that officials had always taken decisions based on politically possible outcomes.
Coimbatore : Coming down heavily on the lack of interest and concern on the part of the authorities towards Western Ghats conservation, Claude Alvares, advisor of the Save Western Ghats Movement claimed that officials had always taken decisions based on politically possible outcomes.
Speaking at the Ecological Festival for Western Ghats in Coimbatore on Saturday, Claude Alvares said that despite best efforts from concerned people, the recommendations suggested by them was downed by the Ministry of Forest and Environment.
“The report by Madhav Gadgil suggested to announce 1,70,000 sq.km. land as Eco Sensitive Zones (ESZ) in the Western Ghats that needed protection. But the Government refused to even bring the report to the open forum and created another committee under Kasthurirangan, who had no expertise. The area suggested as ESZ came down to 30,000 sq.km,” he said.
Claiming that natural resources were being polluted because of negligence of the Government and people, Claude Alvares also pondered over the lack of unity among the Western Ghats States.
“None of the six countries have agreed upon a similar law that would help protect Western Ghats. Even the existing laws are being diluted by the Governments, which only shows lack of concern,” he opined.
Inviting young minds to take up conservation studies for academics, Claude Alvares said the younger generation should take up the responsibility to conserve natural resources.