‘Sahyadri’ summit calls for stronger measures to protect Western Ghats

The three-day Sahyadri environmental summit, recently organised by Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samiti and the Hume Centre for Ecology, called upon the Centre and State governments to take urgent steps to protect the Western Ghats.

Maintaining that continued neglect could trigger deeper ecological and social crises, environmental activists who addressed the summit said it was high time the government initiated strong conservation measures with the active involvement of indigenous communities and residents. They described the Ghats as one of the world’s most significant biodiversity hotspots and a vital lifeline for nearly 400 million people in south India.

The summit expressed strong protest over rampant mining, large-scale constructions, and other activities that upset ecosystems. It called for intensified efforts to eliminate invasive and alien species and to prevent the entry of exotic plants and animals from nurseries. Restoration of monoculture plantations into natural forests and strict action against illegal activities on leased forest land were also sought.

Expressing concern over repeated natural calamities in Kerala, the conference stressed the need to integrate ecological sensitivity into all development initiatives. It sought a substantial increase in compensation for people affected by human-wildlife conflict and demanded that relief be disbursed within one month of the incidents.

Environmentalists, students, and researchers from across the State attended the three-day summit. Prominent resource persons included Kumar Kalanand Mani of the Goa Peace Foundation, Central Empowered Committee on Forest and Wildlife member Mahendra Vyas, former National Board for Wildlife member Praveen Bhargav, and former director of the Kerala Forest Research Institute Dr Easa.