The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is implementing a number of programs for the conservation of forests, wildlife and the environment in several states and union territories, including the Western Ghats States. These include the National Reforestation Programme, Integrated Wildlife Habitat Development, Forest Fire Prevention and Management, Project Tiger and the National Mission for a Green India. Funds from the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority are also used for forest and wildlife conservation in the Western Ghats.
In order to protect and conserve the Western Ghats, MoEFCC had formed two committees, the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Group (WGEEP) headed by Prof. Madhav Gadgil and the High Level Working Group (HLWG) headed by Dr K. Kasturirangan, to review the WGEEP recommendations. Based on the HLWG report, MoEFCC filed a draft notification on the 10thth March 2014, declaring biologically and culturally diverse areas as Eco-sensitive Areas, requiring protection and conservation. Considering the views and concerns of the respective state governments and addressing the concerns and apprehensions of the public/stakeholders, the Western Ghats Ecological Area project was re-notified for the fifth time on 6th July 2022 and a committee was also specially formed to assist in consultation with state governments to finalize the notification. The draft notification is valid until the 30thth June 2024.
This information was provided today by Union State Minister for Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written response to the Lok Sabha.
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MJPS/NSK
