This story is from June 30, 2014

Gadgil champions his committee's recommendations for Western ghats conservation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his NDA government at the centre should reject the recommendations of the Kasturirangan committee on Western Ghats and implement those that were earlier tabled by the Gadgil committee, said renowned ecologist Madhav Gadgil, who chaired the Gadgil committee, while addressing a gathering at an ecological seminar held here in the city on Sunday.
Gadgil champions his committee's recommendations for Western ghats conservation
COIMBATORE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his NDA government at the centre should reject the recommendations of the Kasturirangan committee on Western Ghats and implement those that were earlier tabled by the Gadgil committee, said renowned ecologist Madhav Gadgil, who chaired the Gadgil committee, while addressing a gathering at an ecological seminar held here in the city on Sunday.

However, he added that nobody from the Modi government has officially contacted him in this regard so far though there had been positive signals from the BJP towards his report.
"Our panel's findings to involve the local people in the preservation of the ghats is closer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech of ensuring development as a people's movement. I am hopeful that the NDA government would come forward and implement our committee's recommendations. The union environment minister hails from my town but so far nobody from the government has officially contacted me in connection with this," said Gadgil.
Pointing out that GDP growth rate and other statistical data should not be the sole indicators of national growth and prosperity, Gadgil also pointed out that empowering local gram sabhas and those directly dependant on the forest and its natural resources was the best method to ensure environmental conservation.
He also slammed the previous UPA government and its decision to shelve his panel's report to constitute a new committee under Kasturirangan to submit a new set of recommendations as unconstitutional.
"If the previous government could shelve the recommendations tabled by us in favour of a new report then it could do vice versa also. The union government could always go back to our earlier report on Western Ghats.
The new government has to take a decision in this matter," he added. An abridged paper back version of the Gadgil report was also released at the seminar. PJ James, coordinator of All India Forum for Saving Western Ghats also spoke at the event.
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