Exclusive: Madhav Gadgil on Wayanad Disaster and Illegal Quarrying | Kerala Landslides

Summary

Professor Madhav Gadgil, a leading ecologist, discusses the environmental crisis in Kerala's Western Ghats, highlighting it as a man-made disaster exacerbated by illegal rock quarrying and human interventions. He emphasizes the role of political parties in perpetuating these practices for profit, criticizing the lack of government action despite his 2011 report identifying ecologically sensitive areas. Gadgil calls for immediate cessation of activities in high-risk zones and criticizes the ongoing development projects that increase landslide vulnerability. His insights underscore the urgent need for political will and environmental responsibility to prevent further disasters.

Takeaways

• 🌳 Professor Madhav G. K. Pillay, a leading ecologist, discusses the ecological disaster in the Western Ghats, attributing it to human activities and suggesting it could have been avoided with better management.
• 💧 The increase in aerosol load due to activities like rock quarrying in the Western Ghats is contributing to more intense rainfall, which can lead to natural disasters like landslides.
• 🈲️ Pillay's report from 2011 recommended declaring 75% of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive and stopping quarrying in highly sensitive areas, but this has been largely ignored.
• 🏞️ The Western Ghats should be divided into zones of varying ecological sensitivity to better manage human activities and protect the environment.
• 👷‍♂️ Human interventions, such as tourism development and quarrying, are exacerbating the geological instability of the region and are not necessarily providing livelihoods for local people.
• 🏠 The people most affected by these disasters are often laborers living in poor conditions, highlighting a social issue alongside the environmental one.
• 🤝 The ecologist suggests that there is a need for a change in attitude from various stakeholders, including the church and government, towards recognizing and protecting the environment.
• 🚫 Pillay alleges that political parties are involved in the illegal quarrying business, which is causing environmental damage and contributing to disasters.
• 📜 Despite the ecologist's report and recommendations, there has been a lack of action from governments and politicians, who seem to prioritize economic interests over ecological preservation.
• 🛣️ The Kerala government is proposing further interventions in sensitive areas, such as a new highway, which could increase the risk of landslides and other environmental impacts.
• 🗣️ The ecologist has not been able to communicate his concerns effectively with top political leaders, indicating a disconnect between scientific advice and political action.

Q & A

Who is Professor Madhav Gagil and what is his expertise?

Professor Madhav Gagil is a leading ecologist in the country, known for his pathbreaking report on the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats and his views on the environmental disasters in the region.

What does Professor Gagil describe as 'Nature's Revenge'?

Professor Gagil refers to the heavy rains and flooding in Kerala as 'Nature's Revenge,' attributing the intensity of the rainfall partly to the increasing aerosol load caused by human activities, such as rock quarries.

What is the impact of aerosol load on rainfall according to Professor Gagil?

The aerosol load, increased by activities like rock quarrying, leads to intense rainfall in short bursts instead of a more moderate and spread-out downpour over several hours.

What was the recommendation of Professor Gagil's report on the Western Ghats in 2011?

The report recommended declaring nearly 75% of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive areas and stopping quarrying and other harmful activities in these regions.

How does Professor Gagil suggest dividing the Western Ghats for conservation purposes?

He suggests dividing the Western Ghats into three zones based on ecological sensitivity: highly sensitive, moderately sensitive, and low sensitivity, with stricter regulations in the highly sensitive zones.

What is the role of human interventions in the landslides and environmental issues in the Western Ghats?

Human interventions, such as illegal quarrying and construction activities, have increased the burden on the geological structure and contributed to the landslides and environmental degradation.

Why does Professor Gagil believe that the interventions in the Western Ghats are not for the betterment of the local population's livelihoods?

He argues that the interventions are for the benefit of the wealthy, with the local laborers living in poor conditions and working for meager wages, which he equates to a form of modern-day slavery.

What is the stance of the political parties in Kerala regarding the illegal quarrying, according to Professor Gagil?

Professor Gagil alleges that political parties in Kerala are involved in the illegal quarrying business, with different parties owning and profiting from these operations.

How has the response from the government and politicians been to Professor Gagil's report and recommendations?

The response has been largely dismissive, with politicians avoiding contact with Professor Gagil and not implementing the recommendations of his report.

What is the proposed solution by Professor Gagil to minimize the environmental disasters in the Western Ghats?

He suggests accepting the ecological sensitivity of certain areas and stopping all further human interventions, especially in the highly sensitive zones, to protect the environment and prevent further disasters.

Has Professor Gagil raised these environmental issues with top leaders like Rahul Gandhi, the Kerala Chief Minister, or the Prime Minister of India?

He has not specifically mentioned raising these issues with these leaders, but he has noted a change in politicians' attitudes towards him since his report was submitted.