Trampling Science for Profit: Ignoring the Gadgil Report & Undermining Constitutional Rights

Introduction

The Gadgil Report, commissioned by the Government of India in 2010, was a comprehensive study on the ecology of the Western Ghats, a mountain range that runs along the west coast of India. The report made several recommendations to protect this ecologically sensitive area, but these have been largely ignored by the government.

The Gadgil Report's Recommendations

The Gadgil Report recommended that the Western Ghats be designated as a National Ecological Heritage Site and that all mining, quarrying, and other industrial activities be banned in the area. It also recommended that the government create a buffer zone around the Ghats to protect them from pollution and other threats.

The Government's Response

The government has largely ignored the Gadgil Report's recommendations. In 2013, a watered-down version of the report was released, but this has not been implemented either. The government has continued to allow mining and other industrial activities in the Western Ghats, and has failed to create a buffer zone.

The Impact of Ignoring the Gadgil Report

The government's failure to implement the Gadgil Report has had a devastating impact on the Western Ghats. The area has been ravaged by mining, quarrying, and other industrial activities. The forests have been cleared, the rivers have been polluted, and the wildlife has been driven out.

The government's actions have also undermined the constitutional rights of the people who live in the Western Ghats. The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to a clean and healthy environment, but the government's failure to protect the Western Ghats has violated this right.

The Way Forward

The government needs to take immediate action to implement the Gadgil Report's recommendations. This will require a change in mindset from the government. The government needs to put the protection of the environment ahead of economic growth and development.

The people of India also need to get involved in the fight to protect the Western Ghats. They can do this by writing to their elected representatives, organizing protests, and supporting environmental organizations.

The Western Ghats are a national treasure. They are home to a unique ecosystem that is vital for the survival of India's biodiversity. The government needs to take action to protect the Ghats, or they will be lost forever.