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Please explain on the topic 'Gadgil report' on Western Ghats.
Gadgil Panel:
    2010: Environment ministry created this panel
    Full name: Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel
    Chairman=Prof. Madhav Gadgil   (he was Ex-Chairman, Centre for Ecological Sciences, in Indian Institute of Science)
    To study the ecological and environmental problems of Western Ghats and give recommendations.
    Gadgil submitted his report in 2011. Here are his observations and recommendations.

    The Western Ghats has thousands of endemic species of flowering plants, fish, frogs, birds and mammals.
    Therefore, entire Western Ghats should be designated as Ecologically sensitive zones.
    Gadgil recommends that entire Western Ghat should be divided into 3 zones (actually 4)
Zone 1

    Highest protection must be given to them

    Zone 2

    Intermediate

    Zone 3

    Moderate control and protection.

    PA

    Protected Areas= existing Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks.

    final demarcation of the Zones should be done by Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA).
    And that too, after taking extensive inputs from local communities and local bodies, namely, Gram Panchayats, Taluka Panchayats, Zilla Parishads, and Nagarpalikas.

Functions of the Report:

    conservation, sustainable development and Eco restoration of the Western Ghats
    Environmental Impact Analysis and Clearance process in Western Ghats.
    Its recommendations will be ordinarily binding. (just like National Board of Wildlife whose decisions are rarely tampered with and by and large have been approved even by the Supreme Court of India.)
    WEGA will decide location of industry, land use planning in Western Ghats.
    Prevent activity having negative environmental, social and ecological impact on Western Ghats.
    Can issue directions to the state government or agencies to prevent any negative impacts on the Western Ghats.
    Authority shall also be the final authority for demarcating the areas under the Ecologically Sensitive Zones #1, 2 and 3.
    Power to levy fines and other punitive measures
    Right to call for files, records, evidences etc. under Civil Procedure Code.
General recommendations:
Agro:
Promote organic agricultural practices
    Give money for sequestration of carbon in soils.
    Do not allow any Genetically Modified crops in Western Ghats.
    Phase out use of chemical pesticides/ weedicides in the coming years.
    Instead of giving subsidies for chemical fertilizers, give the farmers subsidies for biogas, organic agriculture etc.
    Do not allow monoculture plantation of exotic species like eucalyptus.
    Encourage planting of endemic species;
    Extraction of medicinal plants with strict regulations

Animal husbandry    

    Promote cattle breed that can withstand adverse agro climatic conditions of Western Ghats.
    Do not allow weedicides in cash crop areas alongside the roads. Because almost all plants coming under the weed category are rich cattle fodder.
    Do not allow introduction of any invasive alien species.

Fisheries    

    Do not allow dynamite and other explosives to kill fish;
    provide fish ladders at all reservoirs  monitor and control trade in aquarium fishes.

Awareness    

    Make river clubs in every school.
    Teach agri-stuff in schools.

Sci-Tech and IT    

    Use them for impact assessment for all new projects such as dams, mines, tourism, and housing.
    Prepare hydrological data base of rivers

Construction    

    eco-friendly building material and construction methods,
    Minimise the use of steel, cement and sand
    Green Building certifications of
    Eco Housing, GRIHA codes.
    Do not allow filling of marshes/ wetlands.

Misc    

    plastic bags in shops, tourist  spots should be phased out.
    Generate awareness about reasonable and adequate vs ‚luxury and wasteful energy consumption (for example excessive lights and Air conditioners in malls, hotels etc.)


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