Delineating Ecological Sensitivity:

Gujarat, Maharashtra & Goa

Sahyadris

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Sahyadris

Madhav GadgilMin En & F, Delhi

24th March 2011

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Vegetation

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Ecological Importance

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Threats

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Ecological Sensitivity

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A Proposal on The Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA )

in The North Central Western Ghats

in South Maharashtra

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by

Development Research, Awareness & Action Institute (DEVRAAI)

Kolhapur

SESA includes areas on either

side of the crestline along the

Western Ghats, comprising

ecosensitive areas in north

Karnataka, eastern Goa and south

Maharashtra.Boundary of SESA in

south was Kali river and Anshi NP

in Karnataka and in north was

Radhanagari WLS in south

Maharashtra.

SESA included high rainfall areas,

river origins , dam catchments, Pas,

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river origins , dam catchments, Pas,

sacred groves, plateaus, etc. and it

qualified for all the vital ESA

criteria of MoEF.

Main intention of the proposal was

to focus on the eco-sensitive region

between the three states, who had

different regional developmental

interests and political ideology. It

was felt that only central

government can protect the region

by declaring it as one ESA.

Proposed ESA in south Maharashtra Western

Ghats

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The criteria used to decide the ESA boundary

based on the Protection Levels

NoAttributes Weightage

1 Biological Diversity 2.0

2 Endangered Species 1.0

3 Wildlife Corridors 1.0

4 Specialized Ecosystem 1.0

5 Steep slopes/ relative relief of 300 meters 1.0

6 Altitudes 0.5

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The List of ecological value attributes and their Weightage

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7 Not so steep slopes 0.5

8 Origins of rivers 1.0

9 Upper catchment areas 0.5

10Cultural and historical significance (Forts,

Sacred Groves and Shrines) 1.0

11 High rainfall area 0.5

Ecological value

Category Rating

Very High (VHEV) 7.6 - 10.0

High (HEV) 5.6 - 7.5

Moderate (MEV) 3.6 - 5.5

Low (LEV) 0.0 - 3.5

Ecological value category and related rating

Grids indicating Ecological values in the Proposed ESAVery High (Red), High (Pink), Moderate (Green) and Low (Blue)

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No. Threats Weightage

1 Deforestation 1

2 Mine 1

3 Shifting cultivation 1

4 Roads / Ghats 1

5 Tourism 1

6 Dams 1

7 Urbanisation 1

8 Industry 1

The present and potential threats in the

region and their weightage

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8 Industry 1

9 Agricultural Expansion 1

10 Plantation 1

Threat level category Rating

High (HTL) 7 – 10

Moderate (MTL) 4 – 6

Low (LTL) 0 – 3

Threat Level category and related rating

Grids indicating threat levels in the ESAHigh (Red), Moderate (Green) and Low (Blue)

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Total ESA area with estimated protection

levels

(Red= protection level 1 , Green= protection level 2

and Blue= protection level 3)

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Thank You