‘If mining in eco sensitive zones gives people happiness, let them do it’ (Herald)

‘If mining in eco sensitive zones gives people happiness, let them do it’

PANJIM: Professor Madhav Gadgil, the author of the Western Ghats ecology experts panel had reacted to the governments’ decision to set aside his report and opt for the K Kasturirangan group report, which was essentially constituted to take a holistic view of the Gadgil reports.

By TEAM HERALD | 31 Aug, 2014, 07:59PM IST

We published a few excerpts his interview on Saturday in a report. Here is the full version

Herald: Your report is being seen as anti-development, as it ignores vast sections of communities who live in areas you have marked as ecologically sensitive

Professor Madhav Gadgil: I wonder how many have of those, including those on government who are making these remarks have read my report. One of the fundamentals of my report is  public participation and the need to take the report to the gram sabhas. The people in villages will have to decide on the ecologically sensitive areas. I put the ball back in the peoples court. It is being sought to be taken away from them. So how was this anti people?

Can you elaborate on the role of the gram sabhas

MG Our panel report stated that  gram sabhas should decide on the ecological sensitivity of the respective areas. People should decide in which ecologically sensitive zone their area should come under. The prerogative for deciding whether their area was to be considered even as a sensitive area was left to the people. The recommendation of the panel regarding the ecologically sensitive zones was just an indicator to start the debate. Power was and is supposed to be in the hands of the people

What according to you is incorrect in the Kasturirangan report

MG:  The Kasturirangan report replaced the pro-people and pro-nature attitude of the Western Ghats ecology expert panel report with an autocratic approach in terms of development and ecological conservation, Mr. Kasturirangan, in his report, wondered how local communities can have a role in the economic decision-making process of the country. The report had kept vast stretches of Western Ghats in the category cultural landscapes, which include human settlements, out of the purview of ecologically sensitive areas. 

Will local communities have a say if the Kasturirangan committee report is implemented?

MG Local communities will have no say in decision making. On top of that adverse remarks have bene made about our report stating that we have not recommended any monitoring by a central authority. In fact it is clear in our report that a Central authority is built into our terms of reference

The criticism against you is that your report is anti- development

MG: Then let us define development. In ancient scripters the word ‘vikas (development) means that opening of a flower bud. It’s an act which gives happiness. If the government feels that by allowing mining in eco sensitive areas, can give happiness to maximum people, let them allow. Then I have no problem

Why do you think the government has decided to jettison your report and go by the Kasturirangan report

MG: I will not answer that question. But you people are intelligent and understand why this was done. I do not have to speak further.

 http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/%E2%80%98If-mining-in-eco-sensitive-zones-gives-people-happiness-let-them-do-it%E2%80%99/17900.html#.VAQZAFdh71U