Wounded Hills: A documentary on the environmental issues of the Western Ghats

Summary

The Western Ghats in Kerala, a biodiversity hotspot, faces ecological challenges due to climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable resource extraction. The region's monsoon patterns are changing, leading to increased extreme rainfall events and devastating floods, as seen in 2018 and 2019. Illegal rock quarries and construction contribute to landslides, threatening the ecosystem and human lives. The script calls for sustainable development and policy changes to prevent further disasters and protect the environment and people of Kerala.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The Western Ghats in Kerala is a significant biodiversity hotspot, home to many unique and endangered species.
• 🌍 These mountainous forests cover an area of over 120,000 square kilometers and play a crucial role in India's monsoon system.
• 🐅 The region faces threats from deforestation, unsustainable resource extraction, and altered rainfall patterns affecting its biodiversity.
• 🌧️ The Western Ghats act as a barrier to rain-laden winds, which has been studied for decades for its ecological importance.
• 🌊 The area has witnessed devastating effects from extreme rainfall events, such as the floods in Kerala in 2018 and 2019.
• ⛰️ The monsoon pattern is changing, with a decrease in total rainfall but an increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme rain events.
• 🏞️ The landscape of the Western Ghats is under pressure from a growing human population and illegal activities like rock quarrying.
• 💥 Mining and quarrying have been identified as triggers for landslides, especially in areas with rubber plantations.
• 🌐 The environmental impact of such activities has been neglected, leading to a lack of effective policies to protect the region.
• 🚫 Dr. Madhav Gadgil's recommendations for the protection of the Western Ghats have been largely ignored by authorities.
• 🌿 Kerala is at a critical juncture and must choose a path of sustainable development to prevent further environmental disasters.

Q & A

What is Kerala known for in terms of biodiversity?

Kerala is known for being a biodiversity hotspot, rich in unique plants and animals, including highly endangered species such as tigers, nilgiri tahr, line deer, macaws, and elephants.

How large is the Western Ghats region?

The Western Ghats region is spread over one lakh twenty-nine thousand and thirty-seven square kilometers.

What role do the Western Ghats play in India's monsoon season?

The Western Ghats act as a barrier to the rain-laden winds from the southwest, helping to bring the bounty of the summer monsoon to India every year.

Who headed the Western Ghats ecology expert panel in 2011?

Madhav Gadgil headed the Western Ghats ecology expert panel in 2011.

What was Madhav Gadgil's recommendation for the Western Ghats?

Madhav Gadgil recommended that the entire Western Ghats be declared ecologically sensitive.

What impact did the extreme rainfall in August 2018 have on Kerala?

The extreme rainfall in August 2018 led to devastating floods in Kerala, resulting in the death of more than 480 people and affecting 12 districts.

What is the trend in the frequency of extreme rainfall events in India?

The frequency of extreme rainfall events in India is showing a steady increase, as indicated by the scientific studies.

What are the consequences of the changing monsoon pattern for regions like Kerala?

The changing monsoon pattern is leading to more dry periods or droughts interspersed with extreme rainfall events, posing a threat to food security, economic prosperity, and people's safety.

What is the connection between rock quarrying and landslides in the Western Ghats?

Rock quarrying, much of which is illegal, can trigger landslides in the hills, especially in areas with rubber plantations, as the trees cannot hold the soil firmly during heavy rains.

What does Dr. Gadgil suggest should be done about the rock quarrying in the Western Ghats?

Dr. Gadgil suggests that the Kerala Government should pass a resolution in the Assembly stating that the state will only have sustainable development programs, and illegal rock quarrying should be immediately stopped.

What is the potential long-term impact of unsustainable practices in the Western Ghats?

If unlawful practices continue, it is likely to result in more deadly disasters like floods and mudslides, threatening lives, livelihoods, and the ecological balance of the region.