Western Ghats Conservation and India Biofuel Roadmap for UPSC Prelims – Prelims Specific

Introduction

The Western Ghats remain a critical focus for UPSC due to the recurring debate over their ecological sensitivity versus developmental needs. Concurrently, India's push for energy security through the Ethanol Blended Petrol program has placed agriculture at the forefront of policy. Understanding these two domains is essential for managing natural resources and economic policy.

Why in News?

The government is revisiting Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) notifications for the Western Ghats following concerns over climate-related disasters like landslides. Simultaneously, there is a national push to achieve the 20% ethanol blending target (E20) by 2025-26, linking agricultural output directly to national energy infrastructure.

Static Link

The Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Static concepts include the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and the conflict between the development-led growth model and environmental sustainability. UPSC often traps students by asking about the specific mandates of committees appointed to define ecological boundaries.

Institutional Link

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is the nodal body for ecological regulations. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas oversees the E20 roadmap. NITI Aayog provides strategic policy support for biofuels. Confusion often arises between the roles of these ministries and the statutory status of various expert panels.

Core Prelims Facts

• Western Ghats stretch across six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• Gadgil Committee (2011): Known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP); recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats as an ESA.
• Kasturirangan Committee (2013): High-Level Working Group that identified 37% of the Western Ghats as an ESA.
• Ethanol Blending: India aims for E20 (20% ethanol in petrol) by 2025-26.
• Biofuel Generations: 1G (from food crops), 2G (from agricultural waste/lignocellulosic biomass), and 3G (from algae).

Important Terms and Concepts

• Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA): A region declared by the government to minimize developmental impact on fragile ecosystems.
• Ethanol Blending: Mixing ethanol, derived from biomass, with petrol to reduce crude oil imports.
• 2G Ethanol: Preferred over 1G to avoid the food versus fuel debate as it utilizes non-food agricultural residues.

Bodies / Organisations / Institutions

• UNESCO: Responsible for designating the Western Ghats as a World Heritage site.
• MoEFCC: Central authority for environmental policy and ESA notifications.

Places / Geography / Mapping Points

• Western Ghats: Also known as the Sahyadri mountains, they are a chain of mountains running parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula.

Schemes / Laws / Reports / Conventions

• National Policy on Biofuels: Aims to increase the usage of biofuels in the energy and transportation sectors.
• E20 Program: A strategic initiative to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports and lower carbon emissions.

Possible UPSC Prelims Traps

• Committee Mandate Trap: UPSC may swap the findings of the Gadgil Committee (entire range) and the Kasturirangan Committee (37%).
• Geographical Trap: Including states like Telangana or Andhra Pradesh in the list of Western Ghats states.
• Statutory Trap: Assuming all expert committees (like Gadgil/Kasturirangan) are constitutional bodies; they are expert/advisory groups.
• Absolute Trap: Statements claiming "all development" is banned in ESAs; generally, "regulated development" is the focus of these reports.

One-Minute Revision Notes

• Western Ghats cover 6 states: GJ, MH, GA, KA, KL, TN.
• Gadgil report: Total protection; Kasturirangan report: 37% protection.
• Biofuel target: E20 by 2025-26.
• 2G ethanol uses agricultural waste, not food crops.

Practice MCQ for Prelims

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Western Ghats:

1. The Western Ghats stretch across eight Indian states.

2. The Madhav Gadgil Committee recommended that the entire Western Ghats region be declared as an Eco-Sensitive Area.

3. The Kasturirangan Committee recommended a moderate approach, designating only 37% of the total area as an Eco-Sensitive Area.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation: The Western Ghats span six states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu), not eight. Both the Gadgil and Kasturirangan committee recommendations are correctly described in statements 2 and 3.