It's High Time!! We Need to Act for the Western Ghats

Today, a devastating landslide in the hilly regions near Meppadi in Wayanad, Kerala, has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 63 lives, with 116 people injured and hundreds more believed to be trapped. This disaster, which coincides with heavy rainfall, is a stark reminder of the urgent need to heed the warnings and recommendations of the Gadgil Report.

The recent landslide in Wayanad is not an isolated incident. Kerala is a state highly vulnerable to natural disasters and the changing climatic dynamics given its location along the sea coast and with a steep gradient along the slopes of the Western Ghats. Kerala is also one of the most densely populated Indian states (860 persons per square kilometer), which makes it even more vulnerable to damages and losses on account of disasters. The heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that swept through the region, causing significant destruction and loss of life. Such incidents highlight the fragile nature of the Western Ghats and the dire consequences of ignoring ecological warnings. 

Landslides are a major hazard along the Western Ghats in Wayanad, Kozhikode, Idukki, and Kottayam districts. As seen in the weather-led disaster that occurred in 2018, the western flank of the Western Ghats covering the eastern part of Kerala is one of the major landslide-prone areas of the country. Around 1500 sq.km. in the Western Ghats is vulnerable, and every year with the onset of the monsoon, landslides are reported. The mountain regions experience several landslides during the monsoon season.

What causes landslides in Western Ghats 

The root cause of these tragedies lies in the relentless exploitation of the Western Ghats. Unplanned urbanization, deforestation, mining, and large-scale industrial activities have significantly disrupted the ecological balance of this region. The Western Ghats are one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity, and their preservation is crucial not only for the environment but also for the millions of people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

The first officially recorded flood in Kerala occurred in 1881, and the oldest known landslide in Kerala happened on 4th October 1882 at Meladukkam, Kottayam. The word "Urulpottal" in Malayalam (debris flow) was coined by dwellers in Kodiyathoor, near Kottayam, India, in 1949 after a landslide in the hilly area.

In recent years, the frequency of such disasters has increased:

• In 2018, Idukki district was ravaged by 143 landslides. 1,260 out of 1,664 villages spread across its 14 districts were affected. Seven districts were worst hit: Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, and Wayanad where the whole district was notified as flood-affected.
• In 2019, the landslide at Kavalappara occurred a couple of hours after another in Puthumala in neighboring Wayanad district.
• In 2020, on August 6, a landslide struck Pettimudi, a hamlet in Rajamala ward under Munnar village.
• On 15th October 2021, heavy rains triggered landslides and floods in Kottayam and Idukki, leading to the death of at least 26 people and widespread destruction.
• In 2022, a major disaster was averted during a landslide that hit Kundala estate in Munnar on the second anniversary of the Pettimudi disaster, saving 450 lives by sheer luck.

It is becoming a regular occurrence, with people losing their lives because of this.

The Gadgil Report: A Blueprint for Conservation

The Gadgil Report, officially known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) Report, was submitted in 2011 by an expert committee led by ecologist Dr. Madhav Gadgil. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the ecological status of the Western Ghats and outlines detailed recommendations to protect this vital region.

1. Major Warnings and Ecological Sensitivity (Pages 20-21): The report highlights the ecological sensitivity of various regions within the Western Ghats and warns against large-scale industrial activities, deforestation, and unplanned urbanization. Areas like Wayanad, where today's disaster occurred, are identified as highly sensitive and in need of urgent protection.

2. Red Spots and Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs) (Pages 91-93): The report classifies regions into three categories based on their ecological sensitivity:

   • ESZ1 (Highest Sensitivity): Areas requiring utmost protection with minimal human intervention.
   • ESZ2 (High Sensitivity): Areas allowing limited and regulated human activities.
   • ESZ3 (Moderate Sensitivity): Areas that can sustain higher levels of human activity with appropriate regulations.

3. Specific Recommendations (Page 56): The report recommends the establishment of a Western Ghats Ecology Authority to oversee conservation efforts, promotion of sustainable agriculture, prohibition of certain industrial activities, community involvement, and strict land use regulations.

The Gadgil Report's Recommendations

The Gadgil Report's recommendations provide a clear roadmap for sustainable development and conservation of the Western Ghats. Some key actions we need to implement include:

1. Establish the Western Ghats Ecology Authority: A dedicated body to ensure the protection and sustainable management of the Western Ghats.

2. Enforce Land Use Regulations: Prevent deforestation, illegal mining, and unplanned urbanization to protect the ecological balance.

3. Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Encourage organic farming and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to preserve soil health and biodiversity.

4. Ban Harmful Industrial Activities: Prohibit activities like mining and large-scale hydroelectric projects in highly sensitive areas (ESZ1) and regulate them strictly in moderately sensitive areas (ESZ2).

5. Engage Local Communities: Involve local communities in conservation efforts and decision-making processes to ensure that development is sustainable and inclusive.

It's crucial for every one of us to understand the importance of the Western Ghats and the need for their protection. The recent disaster in Wayanad should serve as a wake-up call. We must act now to prevent further tragedies and preserve the ecological integrity of the Western Ghats for future generations.

Together, we can ensure a sustainable and safe future for the Western Ghats and  people like us who depend on them.