Western Ghats: Centre not to consider Gadgil report

New Delhi: The Centre confirmed on Wednesday that it would not consider the Gadgil committee report on protection of Western Ghats, in an affidavit submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The government has decided to go ahead with the findings of Kasturirangan panel on the matter and implement the measures in accordance to the report. The Green Tribunal had earlier rejected the affidavit submitted by the Centre due to the ambiguity in its stand and directed the government to submit a fresh affidavit.

The NGT had directed the government to make it clear whether it was considering the Gadgil report or the Kasthurirangan report for protection of Western Ghats.

But the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had merely submitted a report detailing measures taken in accordance with the Kasthurirangan report, without any mention of the Gadgil report.

The NGT had said in its order that if these questions remain unanswered, the MoEF secretary would be summoned to seek an explanation.