Skip to main content

Environment movements /Reports in India with special reference to Himalayan and Western Ghats Ecology

Environment movements /Reports in India with special reference to Himalayan and Western Ghats Ecology

Environmental movements and reports in India have played a crucial role in raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and conserving ecologically sensitive regions like the Himalayas and the Western Ghats. Here is an overview of these movements and reports with a focus on these two important ecological areas:

1. Himalayan Ecology:
   - Chipko Movement: The Chipko Movement emerged in the 1970s in the Himalayan region, advocating for the protection of forests from deforestation and unsustainable logging practices. It involved local communities, particularly women, hugging trees to prevent their felling.
   - Save the Himalayas Movement: This movement aims to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem from various threats, including deforestation, habitat destruction, climate change impacts, and unsustainable tourism. It highlights the need for sustainable development practices and conservation measures.

Reports on Himalayan Ecology:
   - The State of the Environment in the Himalayas: This report, published by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with various organizations, provides an assessment of the environmental status, challenges, and conservation efforts in the Himalayan region. It highlights issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change impacts, and unsustainable land-use practices.

2. Western Ghats Ecology:
   - Save the Western Ghats Movement: The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, has faced numerous environmental threats, including deforestation, mining, and unsustainable agricultural practices. The movement focuses on conserving this ecologically sensitive region through awareness campaigns, advocacy, and policy interventions.
   - Gadgil Committee Report: In 2011, the Ministry of Environment and Forests constituted the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, headed by ecologist Madhav Gadgil. The committee prepared a report suggesting measures for conservation and sustainable development in the Western Ghats region. The report emphasized the need for ecological sensitivity mapping, local community participation, and strict regulation of development activities.

Reports on Western Ghats Ecology:
   - Kasturirangan Committee Report: In response to the Gadgil Committee Report, the Kasturirangan Committee was formed to review the recommendations and propose an alternative approach. The committee's report suggested a zonation system for the Western Ghats, categorizing areas into different levels of environmental sensitivity and prescribing varying levels of regulation.

These movements and reports have played a vital role in drawing attention to the ecological significance of the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, advocating for their conservation, and promoting sustainable practices in these regions. They have contributed to policy discussions, public awareness, and conservation efforts, highlighting the importance of protecting these unique ecosystems for future generations.

.... 
...

An environmental movement refers to a collective effort by individuals, communities, organizations, or activists to address and bring about positive change in environmental issues. These movements arise from concerns about the degradation of the environment, loss of biodiversity, pollution, climate change, and other ecological challenges. They aim to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and mobilize public support to protect and conserve the natural environment.

In the context of India, environmental movements have played a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental issues, advocating for policy reforms, and driving environmental conservation efforts. These movements often emerge in response to specific environmental threats or projects that have significant ecological impacts.

Here is a list of notable environmental movements in India:

1. Chipko Movement: The Chipko Movement, originating in the 1970s, was focused on the conservation of forests. It involved communities hugging trees to prevent deforestation and promote sustainable forest management practices.

2. Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save Narmada Movement): The Narmada Bachao Andolan, led by activist Medha Patkar, protested against large-scale dam projects on the Narmada River. It aimed to protect the rights and livelihoods of local communities affected by the dams and highlighted the social and environmental impacts of such projects.

3. Bhopal Gas Tragedy Protest: The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which occurred in 1984, led to one of the world's worst industrial disasters. The protest movement demanded justice, compensation, and stricter regulations for industries to prevent similar incidents in the future.

4. Silent Valley Movement: The Silent Valley Movement, which took place in Kerala, aimed to protect the Silent Valley National Park from the construction of a hydroelectric dam. The movement highlighted the importance of conserving the rainforest and its rich biodiversity.

5. Save the Western Ghats Movement: The Western Ghats are a biodiverse mountain range along India's western coast. The movement focuses on protecting this ecologically sensitive region from deforestation, mining, and other destructive activities.

6. Save the Ganges Movement: The Ganges River, considered sacred in India, faces pollution and degradation issues. The movement aims to clean and rejuvenate the river, raise awareness about its ecological importance, and advocate for stricter regulations.

7. Save Aravalli Movement: The Aravalli Range, a critical ecosystem in North India, has faced threats from urbanization, mining, and deforestation. The movement seeks to protect and conserve this ecologically sensitive region.

8. Save the Yamuna Movement: The Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges, has suffered from pollution and depletion. The movement focuses on restoring and revitalizing the river and raising awareness about its deteriorating condition.

9. Save the Vembanad Lake Movement: The Vembanad Lake in Kerala is a Ramsar site and faces challenges such as pollution and encroachment. The movement works towards protecting the lake's ecosystem and promoting sustainable practices.

10. Save the Sundarbans Movement: The Sundarbans, a unique mangrove forest and World Heritage Site, is threatened by climate change, pollution, and industrial activities. The movement aims to safeguard this fragile ecosystem and raise awareness about its conservation.

These movements, among others, have made significant contributions to environmental conservation, shaping policies, raising awareness, and promoting sustainable practices. They demonstrate the power of grassroots activism, community involvement, and public awareness in driving positive change for the environment.
...


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Disaster Management

1. Disaster Risk Analysis → Disaster Risk Reduction → Disaster Management Cycle Disaster Risk Analysis is the first step in managing disasters. It involves assessing potential hazards, identifying vulnerable populations, and estimating possible impacts. Once risks are identified, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies come into play. DRR aims to reduce risk and enhance resilience through planning, infrastructure development, and policy enforcement. The Disaster Management Cycle then ensures a structured approach by dividing actions into pre-disaster, during-disaster, and post-disaster phases . Example Connection: Imagine a coastal city prone to cyclones: Risk Analysis identifies low-lying areas and weak infrastructure. Risk Reduction includes building seawalls, enforcing strict building codes, and training residents for emergency situations. The Disaster Management Cycle ensures ongoing preparedness, immediate response during a cyclone, and long-term recovery afterw...
Post a Comment
Read more

Logical Data Model in GIS

In GIS, a logical data model defines how data is structured and interrelated—independent of how it is physically stored or implemented. It serves as a blueprint for designing databases, focusing on the organization of entities, their attributes, and relationships, without tying them to a specific database technology. Key Features Abstraction : The logical model operates at an abstract level, emphasizing the conceptual structure of data rather than the technical details of storage or implementation. Entity-Attribute Relationships : It identifies key entities (objects or concepts) and their attributes (properties), as well as the logical relationships between them. Business Rules : Business logic is embedded in the model to enforce rules, constraints, and conditions that ensure data consistency and accuracy. Technology Independence : The logical model is platform-agnostic—it is not tied to any specific database system or storage format. Visual Representat...
Post a Comment
Read more

Approaches of Surface Water Management: Watershed-Based Approaches

Surface water management refers to the strategies used to regulate and optimize the availability, distribution, and quality of surface water resources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. One of the most effective strategies is the watershed-based approach , which considers the entire watershed or drainage basin as a unit for water resource management, ensuring sustainability and minimizing conflicts between upstream and downstream users. 1. Watershed-Based Approaches Watershed A watershed (or drainage basin) is a geographical area where all precipitation and surface runoff flow into a common outlet such as a river, lake, or ocean. Example : The Ganga River Basin is a watershed that drains into the Bay of Bengal. Hydrological Cycle and Watershed Management Watershed-based approaches work by managing the hydrological cycle , which involves precipitation, infiltration, runoff, evapotranspiration, and groundwater recharge. Precipitation : Rainfall or snowfall within a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Raster Data Structure

Raster Data Raster data is like a digital photo made up of small squares called cells or pixels . Each cell shows something about that spot — like how high it is (elevation), how hot it is (temperature), or what kind of land it is (forest, water, etc.). Think of it like a graph paper where each box is colored to show what's there. Key Points What's in the cell? Each cell stores information — for example, "water" or "forest." Where is the cell? The cell's location comes from its place in the grid (like row 3, column 5). We don't need to store its exact coordinates. How Do We Decide a Cell's Value? Sometimes, one cell covers more than one thing (like part forest and part water). To choose one value , we can: Center Point: Use whatever feature is in the middle. Most Area: Use the feature that takes up the most space in the cell. Most Important: Use the most important feature (like a road or well), even if it...
Post a Comment
Read more

Disaster Management international framework

The international landscape for disaster management relies on frameworks that emphasize reducing risk, improving preparedness, and fostering resilience to protect lives, economies, and ecosystems from the impacts of natural and human-made hazards. Here's a more detailed examination of key international frameworks, with a focus on terminologies, facts, and concepts, as well as the role of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR): 1. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 Adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, and endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2015, the Sendai Framework represents a paradigm shift from disaster response to proactive disaster risk management. It applies across natural, technological, and biological hazards. Core Priorities: Understanding Disaster Risk: This includes awareness of disaster risk factors and strengthening risk assessments based on geographic, social, and econo...
Post a Comment
Read more