Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Western Ghat is the pride of State and Nation' that was published in Newsband

Western Ghat is the pride of State and Nation

How much ecologically sensitive is the Western Ghats? Should Central government give full legal protection to this most prized natural assets in the interests of present and future generations? The Ghats play an irreplaceable role in mediating the monsoon over the country and the forests harbour a rich biodiversity. New species continue to emerge each year in an area that has endemic plants and animals. Is a part of this Ghat free to be exploited for industrial activity, including mining and deforestation, with no environmental consequences?

The ecosystem services delivered by the forests, lakes, rivers and their biodiversity to communities should be assessed. Many people use this Ghat for community-led ecological tourism and agro-ecological farming. The Western Ghats play very crucial role on the climatic condition for the Indian peninsula. It has vast stretches of mountain ranges along with huge forest cover area. This area is one of the ten 'hottest biodiversity spot'. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site is abode to many specie who are surviving in the area. So, one can understand the value of this Ghat.

The Western Ghats host rare species of flora and fauna. The mountainous region has been less polluted compared to other regions. Hence, the ecological balance in the area should not be disturbed. The Adivasis and tribal communities living in the area must not be displaced. Once we destroy them the rainfall pattern and thus drought prone zones and thus agricultural production scenario changes. This will also amplify the drinking water crisis.

Protecting Nature is essential for the so called civilized societies. Our earlier civilization only disappeared due to nonconformity with the nature. We might be advanced in science and technology but if we forget to co-exist with nature then it can destroy the mankind on earth. This is a great danger looming on the face of our future generations. Let us move towards protecting the Nature with political will as well as deep devotion and commitment.

Central government should take step against ecological issue in case of Western Ghats. Nothing other than a blanket ban on any more exploitation of anything in the defined Western Ghat region can stop the slow and steady destruction that is seen occurring during the last century - as human population enter and vandalize the region both for settlements and gains. Economic developments must be redesigned in such a way that the 650,000 villages/ slums/ tribal settlements/ fishing-folk settlements are converted into self-sustaining Socio-Economic and Environmentally productive centers. Will the Government be bold enough to take this initiative?

Both the Central and concerned state governments must take keen interest on the preservation of the Western Ghats to keep up the ecological sensitivity of the region. Tightening the laws pertinent to preservation and moral sense to save its sanctity as a national resource are the ways.