Task Force moots land use policy for Western Ghats

The Western Ghats Task Force, set up by the state government, has recommended taking up ecologically-sustainable projects for the development of the ghat region (Malenadu region) of Karnataka. Keeping in view the fragile ecosystem of the Western Ghats, the government should frame a land use policy to guide all development programmes there.

Developmental projects to be taken up in the Malenadu region, which includes the districts of Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Hassan and Uttara Kannada, should be ecologically sustainable and socially feasible in view of the Western Ghats, the panel said in its recommendations submitted to chief minister B S Yeddyurappa today.

 

Task Force’s Chairman Anant Hegde Ashisar said the recommendations were based on the deliberations of a state-level conference of people from all walks of life held recently at Sagara in Shimoga district. It said the sectors like horticulture, dairy and eco-tourism should be recognised as the prime developmental programmes for the region and the government should come out with a comprehensive policy and package which would provide training for locals, initial capital support with subsidy for new entrepreneurs and market opportunities, among others.

“Government should come out with an integrated and wide-scale programme on forest protection, afforestation and watershed works with active participation of local communities,,Ashisar said.

The Western Ghats has global, national and regional importance. In order to spread the awareness and also to develop conservation and sustainable development strategies, there is a need toorganise a high level Sahyadri Summit in Bangalore to attract all the stakeholders, he said.

The ‘Raita Samparka Kendra’ of department of Agriculture and RUDSETIs of different banks need to be involved on priority in order to train the rural youth on the various possibilities of value addition in agriculture and horticulture products and their marketing opportunities, the report said.

The catchment areas of all major and perennial rivers in the state (those which fall in the Western Ghats region) should be protected and more conservation programmes taken up in order to ensure water security, it recommended.

The Task Force has also recommended for taking up a special programme to provide primary education in remote areas, hamlets and tribal pockets in Western Ghats region, promotion of alternative energy modes like solar light and water heating systems and biogas plants, as well as medicinal plant cultivation.

It also called for a comprehensive inland fishery promotion policy in Malenadu and participatory conservation modes. Noting that non-timber forest products of the Malenadu forest offer huge livelihood opportunities for the local communities, the panel recommended an effective and scientific policy, which would ensure transparent tender systems, sustainable harvesting and provide benefits to them in an equitable manner.