Protecting the Western Ghats

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Did you know that Western Ghats are among the 34 noted 'Biodiversity Hotspots' in the world. That means that Western Ghats are home to a great proportion of plant life that is endemic to the area, greater than 0.5% of the world's total. It also means that this hotspot for biodiversity is in danger as it has lost atleast 70% of its original habitat.

Biodiversity Hotspots is a science to identify key areas of interest as well as areas key areas in danger. This classification allows for focused conservation efforts in these areas. Find out more,

http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/hotspots/Pages/default.aspx

As a person living in Goa, one of the states that is home to the Western Ghats, this is a reason for me to be proud, to feel fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy the gifts of nature and indulge in its beauty to improve my quality of life. Well all that is very good, but in the same breath I can't help but worry about protecting this fragile resource that we have been entrusted with...

The following article in today's newspaper brings further attention to the issue. The results of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report headed by noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil has found that the protection of the Western Ghats is key to the sustenance of the rivers in the Indian Peninsula. 245 million people living in the Western Ghats states directly depend of these rivers for all their water needs. The report recommends a complete ban on mining in these states and implementing stricter green laws in other industry. What do we do now, should we wait and watch or do we engage...