Kerala, After The Flood: Tendency to back development despite warning from ecologists creates ground for future disasters

What is important is that ecologists and environmentalists have to work in tandem with the government departments to achieve success on the ground. The WGEEP recommended no new dams be built in the ecologically sensitive zones; that no environment clearance be accorded to hydel projects falling in the zones; a moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining; and also suggested steps to address the ‘serious deficit in environmental governance all over the Western Ghats tract. Last week, following the flooding in Kerala, Gadgil told PTI, “The flooding has definitely brought to light the existence of illegal stone quarries or a large number of unauthorised constructions on river beds”, and added “In this sense, it is definitely a man-made calamity where intense rainfall and human intervention have made it a serious disaster.” Gadgil even warned the Goa authorities that it could face the same problems that Kerala did if it did not take adequate precautions to prevent another disaster from happening. TV Ramachandra, professor, at IISc’s Centre for Ecological Sciences, which conducted a detailed study across Kodagu, states, “With the clearing of vegetation, there is nothing to hold back the topsoil which has been currently washed away.” The World Wildlife states, “We’re losing 18.7 million acres of forests annually, equivalent to 27 soccer fields every minute.” That forests have a critical role in mitigating climate change is a given, as trees act as a carbon sink. But while environmentalists and ecologists work on preserving and protecting our landmass, governments need to map fault lines, vulnerable and ecologically high risk-prone zones with the help of these experts, so that they are able to prevent a disaster like the kind that has hit Kerala and now Karnataka.