As search and rescue operations continue in landslide-hit Wayanad district in Kerala which has claimed over 380 lives and left more than 100 missing, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday attributed the tragedy to the “illegal human habitat expansion and protection for illegal mining in the fragile region by local politicians” under the tutelage of the Southern State Government.
Talking to reporters here on Monday, Yadav also accused local politicians of failing to regulate and protect sensitive zones, contributing to the disaster that struck the region six days ago.
The impacts of the landslides are still being felt by the locals, exacerbating the ongoing crisis in Wayanad.
“It is an illegal protection to the illegal human habitation by the local politicians. Even in the name of tourism, they are not making proper zones. They allowed encroachment of this area. It is a highly sensitive area. We have already constituted a committee headed by former Director General of Forests Sanjay Kumar... There has been illegal human habitation and illegal mining activity under the protection of the local Government...”, the Minister said. “We feel it’s purely a mistake by the State Government. There has been illegal human habitation and illegal mining activity under the protection of the local Government. It is very shameful. They must protect nature and human lives,” he said.
“The Western Ghats is one of the most fragile regions in the country like the Himalayas. Serious efforts must be made to prevent disasters in such regions and the Kerala Government is also responsible for ensuring the same,” Yadav said hoping that consultations on eco-sensitive zone notifications for the Western Ghats should be completed soon.
Last week, i.e. on July 31, the Centre had issued a sixth draft notification to declare over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats across six states, including 13 villages in Kerala’s landslide-hit Wayanad, Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), inviting suggestions and objections within 60 days.
Since March 2014, this is a sixth one in the series, aiming to declare over 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats across six states as eco-sensitive. However, the final notification is still pending due to state objections. Yadav emphasised that the expert panel, formed in April 2022 and led by former director general of forests Sanjay Kumar, is actively engaging with states to address concerns.
The recent draft notification includes proposals to designate 9,993.7 square kilometers in Kerala including 13 villages as ecologically sensitive. These 13 villages in Wayanad are Periya, Thirunelli, Thondernad, Thrissilery, Kidanganad and Noolpuzha in Mananthavady taluka, and Achooranam Chundel, Kottappadi, Kunnathidavaka, Pozhuthana, Thariyod and Vellarimala in Vythiri taluka.
Scientists have linked the disaster to forest cover loss, mining, and climate change. The draft covers a total of 56,825.7 square kilometers across the Western Ghats, including areas in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.