(a) whether the Government has any plan to initiate a special programme to protect
the ecological uniqueness of Western Ghat;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any plans to establish a Research and Study Centre
dedicated for the said purpose at Ahmednagar;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI
NATARAJAN)
(a) & (b) The Government of India has already taken several steps to protect the
ecological uniqueness of the Western Ghats. A large number of protected areas
comprising national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and elephant reserves
have been established to provide stringent protection to both flora and fauna of the
Western Ghats. Nearly 10% of the total area of Western Ghats is currently covered under
the Protected Area category, serving as home to a healthy population of endemic flora and
fauna. Two Biosphere Reserves, namely, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and Agasthyamalai
Biosphere Reserve are also located in the Western Ghats. The protection of ecological
uniqueness of Western Ghats is ensured through the enforcement of various laws such as
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; the Indian Forest Act, 1927; the Forest Conservation
Act, 1980; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the
Rules under these Acts. A Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has also been established to
check illegal trade and smuggling in wildlife.
Further, the Planning Commission is implementing a Western Ghats Development Programme in
175 talukas of Western Ghats viz. Maharashtra (63 talukas), Karnataka (40 talukas),
Kerala (36 talukas), Tamil Nadu (33 talukas) and Goa (3 talukas). The main objectives
of the programme are eco-preservation and eco-restoration with a focus on sustainable
use of biodiversity.
(c) As per the information received from the State Government of Maharashtra, there is
no such proposal.
(d) & (e) Do not arise.