REPORT OF THE KPCC SUBCOMMITEE CONSTITUTED TO
REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE KASTHURIRANGAN
COMMITTEE
Kasthurirangan committee was constituted by the, the Ministry of
Environment and Forests (MoEF) to study various measures to preserve
biodiversity in the Western Ghats. When the committee submitted the
report the farmers in these areas raised their voice against the
recommendation in the report.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) appointed a
committee headed by Prof. Madav Gadgil to identify the ecologically
sensitive areas( ESA) in order to conserve and protect the Western
Ghats. On August 31st 2011 the Gadgil committee submitted its report
that resulted in strong opposition from farmers in these areas.
In view of such strong oppositions the Government constituted another
committee headed by Sri. Kasthurirangan to review recommendations of
Gadgil committee report, verification hilly regions in the Western Ghats
and re-evaluate ecologically sensitive areas identified by the Gadgil
committee.
Kasthurirangan committee recommended declaration of 123 villages in
the hilly regions of Kerala as ecologically sensitive area. When the
committee suggested the recommendation based on the geo spatial
analysis, the farmers of Kerala opposed this strongly with real facts.
In view of fear and apprehensions of the farmers of Kerala, the State
Government requested Central Government to consider the suggestions
and opinion of the State government before arriving at a decision on
implementation of Kasthurirangan committee report. Central Govt
promised to consider the suggestions on revising the recommendations
of Kasthurirangan committee.
1
Subsequently the Sate Govt appointed an expert committee headed by
Prof Umman V Umman to understand the apprehensions of the farmers
and to identify alternative suggestions.
In this background KPCC decided to analyze and discuss the issues of
farmers in these areas and to suggest appropriate solution. KPCC
leadership constituted a committee convened by Shri. MM Hassan (
Vice President KPCC) and Shri Roy K Paulose (DCC president Idukki),
Shri Adv Tomy Kallani (DCC president Kottayam) Shri K.L Paulose
(DCC president Wayanad), and Shri CV Balachandran (DCC president
Palakkad) as the subcommittee members.
This said subcommittee visited the hilly regions of Idukki,
Pathanamthitta Kottayam, Palakkad, Kozhikode and Wayanad and
interacted with the farmers, various associations of farmers. Other
institutions and organizations interested in the issue and related experts
in the field. On the basis of all discussions a report was prepared and the
excerpts from the report is given below:
Preface
The geographical specificity of Kerala is that it is a land with 600km
length and 60 km in width. The eastern border of Kerala lies the Western
Ghats that forms one third of the whole State.
Western Ghats was announced as biodiversity hot spot area due to its
biodiversity. The 44 rivers of Kerala originate from this Ghats. The 41
rivers among these flows to the west and three to the east. Due to the
specialty of land Kerala receives 300 cm rainfall, and the rainwater
received in Western Ghats regions through this rainfall reaches the
Arabian Ocean within hours.
Hence it is essential to conserve water and protect biodiversity in this
region. Taking into note these requirements the civilized and literate
population of Kerala and eminent personalities in the sociopolitical
arena and the Government have special interest in the conservation of
this region much before any recommendation was put forward by any
committee.
2
Out of the total land area Kerala could conserve the 28% as forest area
where as the National average is 21.8%.this clearly indicates that Kerala
has an upper hand of 6.2% in the conservation of forest.
Kerala has been able to achieve this irrespective of the fact that
population density of Kerala is 859 per sq. km, which is more than
double the national figure which stands at 411 per sq km.
With this high population density Kerala could effectively conserve the
forest area and this indicates the vigilant and thoughtful action of the
Kerala Government and civilians. Other than this Kerala have 12 wild
life sanctuaries and four National parks, and the total area of these is
more than 6.6% of the total land area of Kerala
Our Nation aims to allot 4% of the land area for conservation of
biodiversity, and Kerala has very well achieved this goal.
In the above circumstances Kerala strongly advocates that any rules
imposed for conservation of biodiversity should not be hamper the
normal life and livelihood option of population which takes special
interest on conservation of ecology and environment. KPCC
subcommittee accepts this as common principle while reviewing the
complaints raised by the people.
The Acts such as Kerala private forest (Vesting and assignment) Act
1971 and The Management of ecologically fragile land areas Act 2003 are
the best examples of the State Government’s commitment in
conservation of forest. An area of 90 sq. km out of the land acquired
from Kannan Devan in 1971, has been maintained as Iravikulam
National Park and rest 60 Sq km as conserved as Mangulam forest
division. In all these efforts unconditional support and constant effort
had been offered by the farmers of the high range areas.
The efforts of the farmers of high range who live in close association
with the ecology and environment towards the protection of
biodiversity of the Western Ghats is notable and requires special
mention.
3
The importance of agriculture in the Western Ghats requires special
attention. Important cash crops such as coffee rubber cardamom tea are
cultivated mainly in the Western Ghats areas. The suggestion to
increase the productivity of these crops and to reduce the adverse effect
of the same if any, on environment are always welcome.
Whereas imposing regulations and prohibition on the livelihood of the
farmers cannot be supported by the subcommittee.
This regulation affects not only the livelihood of the people but also
affects the production of cash crops in the State and there by affects the
economy of the State.
The progress in science and technology including information
technology has never contributed in improving the livelihood and
standard of living of the farmers of high range. Hence common people
of this area are forced to remain self dependant villages that depend on
nature and agriculture for their life and livelihood.
The KPCC subcommittee suggests to analyze the Kasthrurirangan
committee recommendations in this back ground.
The committee would like to point out that any scheme or Act for the
protection of biodiversity of the Western Ghats can be successfully
implemented only if it enjoys support and co operation of the farmers of
Western Ghats region.
Recommendations
1. Kasthurirangan committee report recommends declaration of 123
villages of Kerala as ESA. The Subcommittee has visited the areas and
analyzed the land pattern and the agricultural conditions directly from
the farmers and collected data regarding this. The details regarding
density of population of each village and the agricultural land use is
included in the appendix.
Kasthurirangan Committee had made flaws in determining the ESA
villages. The committee had determined the ESA villages through the
4
satellite images and details obtained from that have been the base for
recommendations of the Kasthurirangan report.
Whereas the real picture of these areas could be gathered only through a
real time survey of the villages and that could demarcate the areas in to
populated area and agricultural area and forest area.
On the basis of this survey the Subcommittee recommends to
differentiate the areas where density of population is 100 or more per sq
km as populated areas as well as areas that cultivate cash crops and
exclude them from ESA limit.
2. The recommendation of the Kasthurirangan report to announce the
areas in 10 sq km radius of the ESA village as Buffer Zone is not
practical. While considering the population density and the efficient and
effective usage of land in the said areas, impracticality of the proposed
recommendation will be clear.
Hence the subcommittee requests to withdraw the suggestion
Kasthurirangan report to announce of buffer zone near the ESA villages.
3. While announcing the forest areas as ESA the areas near by this forest
will be considered as buffer zone that will affect the livelihood of the
people in these areas.
This regulation would create unfavorable circumstances for the people
in these areas, and the subcommittee suggests that there should be
sufficient steps to overcome this difficulties. To achieve this
environment friendly development schemes should be planned and
implemented.
For the formation and implementation of the schemes should be
participatory in nature involving the local farmers who are the key
stakeholders. A micro plan for these schemes should be prepared for
each area. The subcommittee request the central government to form a
credibility fund for the implementation of the micro plan .
The central financial assistance towards credibility fund should be used
for the formation of micro plan and towards the primary expenses for
5
meeting various social needs. The regulations and prohibitions should
be implemented only after the implementation of such micro plans.
4. While considering Kasthurirangan committee recommendation on
hydro electric power projects in Western Ghats, the increasing demand
and need for the electricity in our State could not be undermined.
Kerala needs almost 3200MW and 21000 million unit of electricity. As
per the survey conducted by central Electricity Authority the demand
for electricity is increasing at the rate of 9% per annum. Electrification of
more than 90% of houses has been completed.
State of Kerala does not have natural gas or coal reserves. The
implementation and production of proposed 1000MW thermal power
plant from the coal allotted from Odisha does not seem to be materialize
in near future. Similarly we cannot operate nuclear power plant also.
In this circumstance we could only resort to hydro power plant for our
electricity needs. As per the survey there are viable conditions in
Western Ghats to generate 6000 MW electricity and out of this only 2000
MW has been implemented. While the rest 4000 MW can be generated
from this area, the proposed regulations and prohibitions to tamper
power generation and hence will be considered and an injustice to the
basic needs of common man in Kerala.
Another aspect to be considered is that the peak demand of Kerala is
3200MW. Out of this the share from hydroelectric power project is
1400MW. The central share of electricity is only 1000MW to 1200MW. To
fulfill the needs of the Kerala we should buy almost 800MW from
outside or generate within the state. For purchase of electricity from
outside the scarcity of transmission lines is a problem.
Under these conditions the Government will be forced to make strict
regulation on usage of electricity on industrial establishments and
common people.
This situation is slightly alleviated by the purchase of electricity at the
rate of Rs. 12 per unit from Kayamkulam and purchase of electricity
6
from NAPTHA from BKPL Company in Kalamassery. Even the full
utilization of these sources will not suffice to our increasing demand for
electricity.
Hence the subcommittee fears that the recommendation of the
Kasthurirangan Committee on Hydroelectric power projects in Kerala
would eventually affect people of Kerala as well as industrial units.
In the same line tourism and IT industry are the upcoming industrial
sectors of Kerala. These two sectors thrive in Kerala with the hope of
availability of good quality and reasonable cost of electricity.
Similarly the world renowned Kerala Model of Development with its
bases on education, health and standard of living are closely associated
with availability of electricity.
In the purview of all these suggestion the Sub Committee requests not to
accept the Kasthurirangan Committee recommendation against the eco
friendly hydro power project of Kerala.
5. The illegal sand mining in rivers has badly affected the availability of
water. But we being a state still backward in infrastructural facilities, the
availability of sand is essential raw material for the ongoing
infrastructural projects.
This problem could be solved to some extend by collecting the sand
deposited in the water reservoirs in Kerala. The subcommittee suggests
that with the financial and technological support from the Central
Government we could effectively implement this scheme and eventually
solve this problem.
6. The existing agricultural practices could not be completely changed
and a sudden change to organic farming cannot be imposed on farmers.
There should be technological, material and financial support to increase
the profitability of organic farming and related agricultural practices.
For this there should be technical support and knowledge transfer
schemes from the central government.
7
This transition needs complete support and co operation of the farmers
without which it would fail to achieve the aim. The subcommittee
proposes an action plan to be formed for the implementation of scheme.
The government should allot at least a gap of 10 years for the effective
transition to organic farming
During this period the farmers should be given interest free loans,
subsidy and agricultural equipments at reduced rate. Subcommittee also
feels that support in the processing and marketing of the organic
products is essential for the success of this scheme.
7. In the view of reduced agricultural production the diary production
has become another profitable alternative for farmers. The increasing
demand for milk products in the state would add more to the
profitability and also would help to meet the increasing demand.
Subcommittee strongly opposes the recommendation of Kasthurirangan
committee to include dairy production in red category and to bring in
regulation in the development of dairy farming. Subcommittee requests
to withdraw this recommendation form the report.
The Subcommittee also requests to withdraw the Kasthrurirangan
recommendation to include the hospitals which for the major part of the
health and well being of people. Our indigenous treatment methods and
Ayurveda are world renowned and such regulations would affect them
badly.
8. The Subcommittee requests that the quarry should be prohibited near
the forest zone and it should be 500 m away from the forest zone.
9. The implementation of the EFL Act created much fear and uncertainty
among the farmers and hence they viewed the Kasthurirangan report
through the same lens. Due to this the agitation and opposition against
the report spread among the farmers.
The actions of the Forest officials increased the apprehensions of the
farmers and the misleading information also added to the fear of
farmers.
8
With these points in view the subcommittee suggests that there should
be revisions in the EFL Act and should cancel the anti farmer provisions
of the Act.
Subcommittee strongly recommends immediate action to provide
compensation for all the pending cases where the land acquired by the
Government under EFL Act.
10. The Government has not fulfilled the promise to provide clear Pattah
(land possession certificate) to all farmers or their heirs who migrated
before 1.1.1977. The Kasthurirangan report aggravated the fear that this
promise will be it will go in vain.
These apprehensions led to the agitation in the hilly regions and the
Subcommittee requests the government to complete the issue of
possession certificate within the timeframe and take emergency action
for the effective implementation.
M.M.HASSAN
Vice-President
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee
(Convenor, Sub-Committee)
9