Western Ghats Calling: Bahuguna calls for crusaders to save fragile planet

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Bahuguna calls for crusaders to save fragile planet

Western Ghats Calling - 9

(Finally, the proposed event to revive the 1988 Save Western Ghats has been successfully completed at Goa from Feb 8-10, 2009. Over 150 participants drawn from 8 states and 3 countries took part in a high-octane event that tossed up collective energies to revive the covil society move to protect whatever is left of the Western Ghats. A pictorial book Sahyadri: Reminiscences & Reflections was released on the closing day.)

Panaji | Wednesday, Feb 11 2009 IST
Well-known environmentalist Padmavibhushan Sunderlal Bahuguna has called for more crusaders to save the fragile planet, particularly the Western Ghats as mountains are towers of water. Mr Bahuguna was participating in the 3-day meet on Save Western Ghats organised by the Peaceful Society at Madkai in Goa, that concluded here yesterday.

The subtle, yet, significant connects between the Himalayas and the Sahyadri (western ghats), need to be comprehended at several ecological and socio - political layers, he observed. Distinguished activist and environmental lawyer B G Krishnan from the Nilgiris set tone for the meet on February 8 by stating that there was no alternative or compromise to conservation of the Western Ghats.

The movement, launched 21 years ago, came back with the same resonating thought with over a hundred green crusaders gatheing from across the country, including Bahuguna, where a book on Sahyadri - Reminiscences and Reflections was released. The book captures the Sahyadri through wildlife photographer N A Nassers lens, and the hell that has been let loose on it through a series of writings collected over two decades.

'The book is an attempt to provide fleeting glimpses of the rich legacy of the Western Ghats and the challenges that lay in front, says its Delhi-based editor and researcher Dr Sudhirender Sharma. In the meet, they discussed strategies to address the conservation issues through strengthening networks, vigilant monitoring of management plans, careful revision of sub - standard Environment Impact Assessment reports, and an articulated seeking of legal and media support. They said Sahyadri must be viewed beyond a state specific subject but as an ecological continuum. Pandurang Hegde, the soul of the Save Western Ghats movement, re-instilled the conviction that Margaret Mead once sparked, Never doubt that a small group of people can bring about change; in fact that is the only thing that ever has. Mr Hegade a well known environmentalist and the founder of the famous Appiko movement of the 1980s.

More than 100 delegates from eight States of the country and three countries took part in the congregation . `It is a historic occasion for us to host this gathering to revive the ethos of the famous Save Western Ghats Walk of 1988 that too had culminated in Goa, said Kumar Kalanand Mani of the Peaceful Society. Mr Mani is known for his commitment to Gandhian values in his life and work. For past 25 years, he has been engaged in pursuing and encouraging social action through Madkai-based Peaceful Society. (UNI)

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Save Western Ghats Movement (SWGM)

SWGM has an unpleasant history. Hailed by India Today as one of the finest post-independence environmental movement, the mid-1980s march along the pristine 'ghats' had to wither away on account of internal squabbling between the organizers. Between 2006 till 2008, Sudhirendar Sharma got an opportunity to travel across the region to capture the latent energy among diverse actors to reignite the past. Together with Pandurang Hegde, who carried the painful memories of the past, the Save Western Ghats Movement of the 80's was revived at Peaceful Society in Goa in 2009. Peaceful Society (led by Kalanand Mani) had played stellar role in anchoring the SWGM in 1988.

SWGM Conferences

Three important congregations of activists, researchers, scientists, artists, politicians and thinkers have been organised since 2009 under the aegis of Save Western Ghats Movement - an informal platform of civil society actors. While the first, in 2009 in Ponda (Goa) revived the erstwhile movement of the mid-80's, the second in Kotagiri (Tamilnadu) in 2010 was major milestone as it led to the setting-up of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. The third congregation at Moodbidri (Karnataka) in 2011 reiterated civil society commitment to conserve the ghats whatever be the outcome of the panel.

Sussegad

Sussegad, meaning `easygoing’, is often associated with the Goans but it does extend to other areas along the Western Ghats, notably hilly parts of Karnataka. Mellowed down by the warmth of the Sun, the coolness of the rains and the wisdom of the green hills, people in these parts of the Western Ghats are known for their simplicity and hospitality. Accommodating as they are, sussegad lends a distinct cultural identity to these people.

When the world elsewhere is racing against materialistic greed, sussegad provides the much desired calming effect. Gandhi used to say: `there is more to life than speed.’ People in the ghats seem to have imbibed that spirit from time immemorial. Being laid back and stealing siesta time during each afternoon may seem out of place for an average outsider but for people here it is an accepted practice that renders them inherent strength – of being in harmony with self, society and nature. It seems sussegad could be for the good of the entire society. Any takers!

Open House

By definition, activists are an interesting bunch of people with high octane levels. At the heart of activism lies the unflinching desire to bring the world on its feet. Unilaterally focussed, immensely committed and socially driven, activists have struggled to carve out a niche for themselves in the shrinking social space. Yet, they enjoy the patronage of the state and its cronies. Had there not been the state with its dubious designs, the breed called activists would not have existed? Wonder, who then is the real activist?

Do you agree with this notion?

All About Frogs

Pictorial Guide to Frogs and Toads of the Western Ghats has been published to help students, researchers, forest managers, photographers and general public in identifying a species in the field along with its status, ecology and distribution. Simultaneously it also aims at bringing awareness about amphibians among general public. This book covers 73 species of 156 frogs and toads recorded from the Western Ghats as of date. Written by Dr. KV Gururaja, the book is available through: http://shop.gubbilabs.in.