Report ofthe WGEEP 13. Proposed guidelines/summary recommendations for sector-wise activities WGEEP advocates a graded or layered approach, with regulatory as well as promotional ‘measures appropriately fine-tuned to local ecological and social contexts within the broad framework of (1) Rey Regions of high sensitivity or ESZ2, and the (3) Regions of moderate sensitivity or ESZ3. While we advocate this fine-tuning through a participatory process going down to gram sabhas, it is appropriate to provide a broad set of guidelines as a starting point. WGEEP has attempted to arrive at such a set of broad guide-lines for the various sectors on the basis of extensive consultations with officials, experts, civil society groups and citizens at large. ‘These are summarized in Table 6. Table 6 Proposed guidelines and summary recommendations for sector-wise activities* ins of highest sensitivity or Ecologically Sensitive Zone 1 (ESZ1), (2) Sector [eszi [esza ‘Across the Western | Genetically modified crops should not be allowed ESZ3 a | Phase out the use of plastic bags in shops, commercial establishments, tourist spots, on a priority basis (not more than 3 years) Land use Forall settlements and built areas/ to be developed areas, certain types of areas, Special Economic Zones should not be permitted New hill stations should not be allowed Public lands should not be converted to private lands; would be no-go areas, including water courses, water bodies, special habitats, geological formations, biodiversity rich areas, and sacred groves Change in Jand use not | Change in land use | Changes from permitted from forest tonon- | not permitted from agricultural to non- forest uses or agricultural to _| forest tonon-forest agricultural land non-agricultural, except | uses or agricultural __ permitted, considering _ Detailed sectoral recommendations are in Part Il of the Report aae [=esoeee 7 ind Gemtereere pete liad rg ea ce eee mae i ene Gepsummsecsmeaspom. [eae |e etary teaf fa a | iat E os a : Hid \ | i ii fl aE: a 7 h ii E 4 ,Report ofthe WGEEP Sector ESZ1 | esz2 ESz3 | roads possible/ | permitted subject to | EIAs, strict | regulation and | social audit Tourism Ecotourism policy of MoEF —_ Strict regulation on Strict regulation and refined by the WGEA to | basis ofa Tourism social audit promote minimal impact | master plan and tourism in the region | social audit [Tourism Master Tourism Master Plan | Plan should be should be based on, Strict regulation for waste | based on carrying carrying capacity of management, traffic and water | capacity of area and area and after taking use | after taking into into account social and | account social and environmental costs | environmental | costs. Education Reconnect children and youth to local environment through education programmes focusing on local environmental issues, especially degradation of natural resources of land and water and air and water pollution. Tailor Environmental Education projects to serve as an instrument of participatory environmental monitoring involving local community members; connect such exercises to preparation of “People’s Biodiversity Registers” by the local Biodiversity Management Committees Students’ “River Clubs” should be encouraged in schools situated along the course of the respective river Teach agriculture in schools Science and Technology Cumulative impact assessment for all new projects such as dams, mines, tourism, and housing, that impact upon water resources should be conducted and permission given only if they fall within the carrying capacity Focus research on perfecting green technology and make it affordable for common people. Environment flow assessments indicators should be worked out by Research institutions, NGOs along with local communities 7 | \ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Information | Build on the Western Ghats database of WGEEP to create an open, transparent, ‘management | participatory system of environmental monitoring involving all citizens, in | particular the student community | Update and upgrade a hydrological data base of rivers and consolidate the | ecological data base and information at river basin level a7