UPSC Prelims 2016 Q68: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the
news, are related to
- (a) constitutional reforms
- (b) Ganga Action Plan
- (c) linking of rivers
- (d) protection of Western Ghats
Answer: (d) protection of Western Ghats
Explanation
Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committee Reports
Both reports are about protecting the Western Ghats.
| Feature | Gadgil Committee | Kasturirangan Committee |
|---|---|---|
| Formal name | Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel | High Level Working Group |
| Year | 2011 | 2013 |
| Chair | Madhav Gadgil, ecologist | K. Kasturirangan, space scientist |
| Ecologically sensitive area | The entire Western Ghats, in three zones | About 37 percent of the Western Ghats |
| Approach | Strict; decisions by gram sabhas | Softer; separates natural and cultural landscapes |
The options checked:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| (a) Constitutional reforms | Incorrect |
| (b) Ganga Action Plan | Incorrect |
| (c) Linking of rivers | Incorrect |
| (d) Protection of Western Ghats | Correct |
Answer: (d) protection of Western Ghats.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. These reports have nothing to do with constitutional reforms.
- (b) Incorrect. They do not deal with the Ganga Action Plan.
- (c) Incorrect. They are not about the linking of rivers.
- (d) CORRECT. Both committee reports are on the protection of the Western Ghats.
Key point
Gadgil (2011): whole Western Ghats ecologically sensitive, three zones. Kasturirangan (2013): about 37 percent as ecologically sensitive area.
Remember
Gadgil and Kasturirangan = Western Ghats.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up which report was stricter; Gadgil's was.
- Linking Kasturirangan only to education policy or ISRO.
- Forgetting that the Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2012).
Exam tip
Gadgil = all of it. Kasturirangan = 37 percent of it.
Sources
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (2011)
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — Report of the High Level Working Group on Western Ghats (2013)