From: Shankar Sharma <shankar.sharma2...@gmail.com> Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2024 Subject: Are our forests at credible risk?
To The Chairperson and Members The National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi Dear Madams and Sirs, Greetings from Sagara, Western Ghats, Karnataka. May I draw your kind attention to a recent news item, as in the weblink below, on the topic of credible threats to our forests? ------------------------ *Our forests are at risk* https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/our-forests-are-at-risk/articleshow/107923009.cms ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The report says that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has accused the Forest, Ecology and Environment department of Karnataka, and Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) of large-scale encroachment of forest land in the state, subsequent to the principal bench of the tribunal registering a suo motu case on the basis of various media reports highlighting the issue. While it is a great development that the continued and/or wanton destruction of our forest wealth has been taken cognisance of by the NGT, the tribunal may kindly appreciate the fact that such diversion/ destruction of forest lands has been going on for decades, and is being reported from the other states of the Union also. Whereas, large-scale encroachment of forest land has been a major concern, what is even more worrisome is that the forest lands even within the protected areas (PAs), such as Wildlife Sanctuaries, are being allowed to be diverted by the state/ Central government agencies in the guise of developmental projects. In the state of Karnataka alone, at least three such project proposals seeking to divert more than a total of 10,000 acres of original forest lands of unimaginable ecological value, within three different Wildlife Sanctuaries, are reported to be under the consideration of the state govt. A long list of about 20 such destructive projects in the Western Ghats of Karnataka is as in the file attached to this representation. It is estimated that a total of more than 20 lakh mature trees within these Western Ghats alone are facing the risk of cutting, if these projects are implemented. Items 21, 22 and 23 in this table of proposed projects have huge implications to three different Wildlife Sanctuaries. It is highly unfortunate that the very need for the three power project proposals (under Items 21, 22 and 23 in this table) within Wildlife Sanctuaries has not been established, as they can be unambiguously challenged on credible grounds; and there are multiple and benign alternatives to achieve the stated objectives. Similarly, other linear project proposals for roads, railways, power lines etc. through such WLS or the ESZs of these WLS, or elsewhere in WGs, OR in other ecologically sensitive areas are guilty of not undertaking due diligence process in evaluating all the costs and benefits to the environment and to the society, and failing to objectively explore suitable alternative options to realise the stated goals. The concerned civil society groups have no regulatory/ governance mechanism to officially record such multiple concerns, and to recommend credible alternatives. It is in this context that civil society groups are elated to know about the latest decision of NGT to register a suo motu case on the basis of various media reports highlighting the issue of large-scale encroachment of forest land. Whereas the NGT can and should cancel such large-scale encroachment of forest land all over the country, it may also kindly consider taking urgent action/s to subject every project proposal within PAs to rigorous examination, even if it comes from the state/ Union govt. It should be highlighted here that in the case of every power sector project proposal, which may demand diversion of forest lands, the credible option of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power technology, has a huge scope of preventing/ minimising the loss of forest wealth. Our country can minimise such destruction of natural resources to a great extent, if the professional experience and knowledge available in civil society are optimally utilised. Many civil society groups and individuals with the necessary professional experience and knowledge will be happy to render their modest service in this regard without seeking any financial/ commercial benefits in return. Kindly consider and mandate how such services are effectively made use of by the state/ central govt. agencies in such cases. Whether it is EAC under MoEF&CC, or State Wildlife Boards, or National Wildlife Board, none of them are known to give adequate or any opportunity to the concerned civil society groups and/ or individuals with the necessary professional experience and knowledge, even in case of specific project proposals, and even when the same is requested for. NGT may kindly deliberate on this issue, and pass suitable instructions to EAC, or State Wildlife Boards, or National Wildlife Board to act diligently before permitting the diversion of forest lands within PAs. As far as items 21, 22 and 23 in the attached table of project proposals in Karnataka's Wildlife Sanctuaries are concerned, I, as an electrical engineer and a power sector professional of over 43 years of experience in India, Australia and New Zealand, will be happy to depose before NGT, and establish much better alternatives to prevent diversion of forest lands, if so desired by NGT. Since I live far away from Delhi, and since I have no resource base to hire a competent advocate to file a PIL on my behalf, kindly consider this representation as a PIL in the larger interest of the entire country. With kind regards Shankar Sharma Power & Climate Policy Analyst “Lahari”, 17/1, 8th Cross, 2nd Main road, Vijayanagara *Sagara, *Karnataka, India - 577 401 Phone: ++ 91 9880048901 AND 94482 72503 shankar.sharma2...@gmail.com shankar.sharma2...@hotmail.com <shankar_sharma1...@hotmail.com>
