India’s Emerging Ecological Public and the Western Ghats: The Gadgil Committee Report and the Responses of Contiguous States

Abstract

Constituting the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), popularly known as the Gadgil Committee was a significant move of the Government of India in conserving the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats are known as the ‘hottest hot spot’ and a treasure trove of biodiversity. Considering the earlier reports and scientific writings, the Gadgil Committee report provided a handle to engage with the key issues relating to ecology and sustainable development in the region. It anticipated the targets that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically signify on ecology. The report has an account of the rich diversity as well as the catastrophic ecological disaster awaiting the region. This paper attempts to trace the ecological concerns in the report and their bearing on the sustainable development goals. It also endeavours to analyse the different reactions and responses of the contiguous states vis-à-vis the idea of development which is an oft-repeated political slogan in India. This will also lead us to assess the nature and role of democratic dissent made with regard to such an ecologically sensitive concern and the challenges in achieving the goals of sustainable development enumerated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Needless to add that the recommendations of the Gadgil report and the response it has invoked has wider implications and can be profitably compared to similar concerns in countries like Brazil.