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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what could have far reaching implications on Kerala's development model
in the coming years, theWestern Ghats Ecology Experts Panel (WGEEP), chaired by Madhav Gadgil, has categorised 42 taluks across 14 districts in the state asecologically sensitive zones (ESZ).
The WGEEP report was submitted to the Union ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) on August 31 last year. But it has been kept under wraps by the ministry, though a PIL has been filed in the Bombay high court to make the report public. (TOI has a copy of the entire report).
The ESZs have been divided into three segments. In ESZ-1, lying in close proximity to Western Ghats, there will be a ban on the use of private forest land for non-forest purpose or agricultural activity. ESZ-1 does, however, allow extension of village settlements to accommodate increase in population. It is not against road and public infrastructure expansion either, provided there is a nod from MoEF. Fourteen taluks come under this category. Wayanad and Idukki districts have the maximum number of taluks in ESZ-1.
ESZ-2 allows renovation and extension of existing structures such as hotels and resorts. Four taluks come under ESZ-2. ESZ-3 allows land to be changed from agriculture to non-agriculture purpose. But permission for these structures is given only after looking into various socio-economic parameters of the area. Twenty-four taluks bordering Western Ghats come under this category.
Western Ghats and eastern Himalayas are the most significant repositories of India's biodiversity. "The Western Ghats score over the Himalayas in harbouring a larger number of species restricted to India alone. The ghats are among the few biodiversity hot spots remaining in the world which are under severe degree of threat,'' the report noted. The WGEEP has banned monoculture, eucalyptus and exotic plant farming and mining activity in ESZ 1 and 2.It has also banned genetically modified crops and plans to phase out use of plastic bags in shops in all three zones over the next three years.
Times of India 18/2/2012
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/42-taluks-in-Kerala-eco-sensitive/articleshow/11946341.cms
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what could have far reaching implications on Kerala's development model
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| Photo: N.A. Nazeer |
The WGEEP report was submitted to the Union ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) on August 31 last year. But it has been kept under wraps by the ministry, though a PIL has been filed in the Bombay high court to make the report public. (TOI has a copy of the entire report).
The ESZs have been divided into three segments. In ESZ-1, lying in close proximity to Western Ghats, there will be a ban on the use of private forest land for non-forest purpose or agricultural activity. ESZ-1 does, however, allow extension of village settlements to accommodate increase in population. It is not against road and public infrastructure expansion either, provided there is a nod from MoEF. Fourteen taluks come under this category. Wayanad and Idukki districts have the maximum number of taluks in ESZ-1.
ESZ-2 allows renovation and extension of existing structures such as hotels and resorts. Four taluks come under ESZ-2. ESZ-3 allows land to be changed from agriculture to non-agriculture purpose. But permission for these structures is given only after looking into various socio-economic parameters of the area. Twenty-four taluks bordering Western Ghats come under this category.
Western Ghats and eastern Himalayas are the most significant repositories of India's biodiversity. "The Western Ghats score over the Himalayas in harbouring a larger number of species restricted to India alone. The ghats are among the few biodiversity hot spots remaining in the world which are under severe degree of threat,'' the report noted. The WGEEP has banned monoculture, eucalyptus and exotic plant farming and mining activity in ESZ 1 and 2.It has also banned genetically modified crops and plans to phase out use of plastic bags in shops in all three zones over the next three years.
Times of India 18/2/2012
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/42-taluks-in-Kerala-eco-sensitive/articleshow/11946341.cms
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