Illegal mining, large number of power projects and polluting industries have adversely affected the Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts that lie at the heart of Konkan, a summary report by the Western Ghat ecology expert panel (WGEEP) has observed.
The panel set up by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) with renowned scientist Dr Madhav Gadgil as its chairperson has expressed concern over the rapid degradation of the ecologically sensitive zones (ESZs) in the region.
The panel submitted its report in October last year. However, despite several demands, the MoEF has not made the report public to date. The summary report, a copy of which is with DNA, recommends an indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in ESZs 1 and 2 apart from phasing out mining from ESZ 1 by 2015.
Apart from its remarks on mining, the report also said that "no new red and orange category industries, which include coal-based power plants, should be permitted to be established in ESZs 1 and 2."
The region is a treasure trove of natural resources and people are concerned that the treasure is being openly looted. There are 19 power plants of 50,000MW, including the world's largest with a capacity of 9,900MW, 23 special economic zones, a petrochemical refinery, 43 proposed private ports and 76 issued licences for mining in Sindhudurg district alone.
To allay people's fears, the MoEF set up the WGEEP and asked the panel to assess the current status of ecology in the Western Ghats region. It instructed the panel to demarcate areas within the Western Ghats region which need to be notified as ESZs under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The WGEEP's summary report says the Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts are facing problems such as depletion and pollution of ground water, siltation of water bodies, rising frequencies of floods, loss of fertile agriculture land and depletion of fisheries, deforestation and loss of unique biodiversity. "The situation clearly warrants a careful assessment and mid-course correction," the report said.
The panel has asked for a cumulative environmental impact analysis in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. "The current moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining, and red and orange category polluting industries and power plants in plains and coastal tracts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts should be extended till satisfactory completion of such an analysis of carrying capacity of these districts. The moratorium may then be reviewed in light of the findings of the study," the report added.
Comments