Prof Madhav Gadgil said: “Prima facie, the simultaneous release of water from the dams seems to be the reason to have caused the floods.” The policy of dam management says that the reservoir should be full only at the end of the monsoon.
KOCHI: Prof Madhav Gadgil was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a lecture he gave on the sustainable rebuilding of Kerala.
During his lecture, which was organised by the Kerala HC unit of the Indian Association of Lawyers in Kochi, Gadgil warned against the dangers of exclusive methods of development at the cost of conservation.
The Kerala government has directed local bodies to restrict all construction activities in vulnerable areas and those affected by landslides.
Gadgil stressed that the process of rebuilding of Kerala must be inclusive and not turn into another bureaucratic exercise.
Rebuilding Kerala should involve local communities, noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil has said.The estimated loss of ₹26,000 crore is that of man-made capital.
Ecologist Madhav Gadgil’s statement comes at a time when Kerala is witnessing a debate on whether unbridled encroachment, quarrying and unscientific dam operations, among other factors, contributed to the recent floods.
Kerala should lead the way in safeguarding and rebuilding the natural, human and social capital along with man-made capital, he said
The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), headed by Gadgil, had submitted the report to the Government in August 2011.It had designated the entire hill range as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
“Scientific advice is being ignored at all levels, including rainfall predictions. Government agencies are making a mistake by talking only to the government,” he said.
