E08 Ecologically Sensitive Areas of the Western Ghats | The Sunita Narain show

Summary

In this follow-up episode, Sunita Nar delves deeper into the Vard landslide tragedy, highlighting the role of climate change and human activities. She discusses the ecological sensitivity of the region, the opposition to conservation efforts from local communities, and the need for a new approach to conservation that involves and compensates local people. The video underscores the urgency of rebuilding the relationship between nature and people, making them partners in conservation.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Vard landslide and other tragedies are linked to climate change, but also to human activities and policies.
• 🏞️ The Valer Mala village in Kerala was identified as ecologically sensitive according to the 2013 Kasturirangan report, which recommended protection from destructive activities like mining and quarrying.
• 🚫 Despite the recommendations, the Kerala government sought exemption for certain villages, leading to amendments that reduced the protected area and allowed quarrying in ecologically sensitive zones.
• 💥 The use of explosives in quarrying, allowed by the 2017 amendment of Kerala's minor mineral concession rules, increases the vulnerability of the region to landslides.
• 🌧️ The disaster was exacerbated by extreme rainfall, a result of climate change, but also by human-induced factors like deforestation and quarrying.
• 🤔 Local opposition to conservation efforts in the Western Ghats stems from concerns over livelihoods, fear of government takeover, and potential restrictions on farming practices.
• 👥 There is a need for a different approach to conservation that involves local communities as partners, ensuring their livelihoods are protected and they benefit from conservation efforts.
• 💰 The Kasturirangan report suggested financial incentives for conservation, such as a debt-for-nature swap and increased payments for protecting forests, which were not fully implemented.
• 🌳 The importance of valuing ecosystems and ensuring that the benefits of conservation reach the local communities was highlighted as a key to successful and sustainable conservation efforts.
• 🛠️ The speaker advocates for building a forest-based economy that provides economic incentives for local communities to protect and manage their natural resources.
• ⏰ The urgency of changing the conservation model and rebuilding the relationship between people and nature is emphasized, as the current situation is unsustainable.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed is the landslide in Vard and the broader issue of ecological conservation in vulnerable areas, particularly focusing on the Western Ghats in Kerala, India.

What is the significance of the 2013 Kasturirangan Report mentioned in the script?

The 2013 Kasturirangan Report identified ecologically sensitive areas in the Western Ghats and recommended that no destructive activities, including mining and quarrying, should be allowed in these areas.

What amendments were made to the Kasturirangan Report recommendations by the Kerala government?

The Kerala government made a representation stating that the entire villages could not be protected as ecologically sensitive areas, leading to an amendment in 2018 that reduced the protected area and allowed quarrying in some villages.

Why were the people living in the ecologically sensitive areas opposed to conservation efforts?

People were opposed to conservation efforts due to fears of losing their livelihoods, plantations, and lands. They were also concerned about being dictated by local officials on farming practices and not being compensated for the restrictions.

What was the role of the 13th Finance Commission in the Kasturirangan Report's recommendations?

The 13th Finance Commission mandated that states should be paid for protecting forests as forests, and the money should go into the hands of communities, but this recommendation was diluted in the 14th Finance Commission.

What is the connection between the Vard landslide and climate change?

The Vard landslide is connected to climate change due to the extreme rainfall that triggered it, but it is also a result of human activities that made the area more vulnerable, such as quarrying and mining in ecologically sensitive areas.

What was the change in the minor mineral concession rules by the Kerala government in 2017?

In 2017, the Kerala government amended its minor mineral concession rules to allow the use of explosives within just 50 meters of a residential house or forest, which can destabilize hillsides and make them more vulnerable to landslides.

What is the proposed solution in the script for effective conservation in ecologically sensitive areas?

The proposed solution is to change the model of conservation by making people partners in the process, ensuring that they are compensated for protecting the land, and building a forest-based economy that values the ecosystem and puts money in the hands of the community.

Why is it crucial to involve local communities in conservation efforts according to the script?

Involving local communities in conservation efforts is crucial because they are the ones who understand the vulnerability of their region and can be motivated to protect it if they are made partners in the process and their livelihoods are secured.

What is the 'debt for nature swap' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to conservation?

The 'debt for nature swap' is a proposal where a state's debt could be swapped for the protection of ecologically sensitive lands. This would provide financial incentives for states to engage in conservation efforts and protect their natural resources.