UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 30th June 2025

UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 30th June 2025

Question

Discuss the significance of democratic decentralisation and community forest rights in the ecological restoration of the Western Ghats. In this context, critically examine the limitations of state-led forest governance and the need for a people-centric, science-based approach. (10 marks, 150 words) 

Model Answer

Introduction:  

  • The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biodiversity. However, its ecological integrity is under severe threat due to deforestation, monoculture plantations, and unscientific industrial activities. A people-centric and decentralized approach, as advocated by the Forest Rights Act (2006), has emerged as a more sustainable alternative to top-down forest governance, which has historically ignored local knowledge and ecological realities. 

 Significance of Democratic Decentralisation and Community Forest Rights (CFRs) in Ecological Restoration: 

  •  Empowerment of Local Communities:  

  • The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, especially Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights under Section 3(1), empowers forest-dwelling communities to conserve and manage forests sustainably. 

  • E.g. Pachgaon village (Maharashtra) - Earns revenue from bamboo sales under CFR, halted forest fires, and demarcated sacred groves, resulting in improved biodiversity and reduced out-migration. 

  • Local Knowledge and Customary Practices: 

  • Tribal and local communities possess deep knowledge of forest ecology, seasonal cycles, and resource regeneration. 

  • E.g. Sacred groves in Kerala and Karnataka have preserved endemic species and acted as micro-conservation units for centuries. 

  • Enhanced Accountability and Transparency: 

  • Community-led monitoring ensures real-time ecological assessment and protection from exploitative contracts (e.g., unsustainable bamboo supply to industries). 

  • E.g. MoEFCC's Joint Forest Management (JFM) model had limited success due to lack of real ownership - CFR provides actual legal control. 

  • Improved Livelihood and Carbon Sequestration: 

  • CFR facilitates access to minor forest produce (MFP) and incentivizes sustainable practices. 

  • According to UNDP (2021), community-managed forests in Odisha and Maharashtra have higher carbon sequestration and better forest health compared to FD-managed areas. 

 Limitations of State-led Forest Governance: 

  • Anti-people and Anti-science Orientation: 

  • Forest Departments (FDs) often prioritize industrial logging, monoculture plantations (e.g., eucalyptus), and profit-centric goals. 

  • E.g. Grasim Factory in Mavoor, Kerala - Supplied bamboo at Re 1/tonne, leading to deforestation of 10,000 ha and mercury pollution in Chaliyar River. 

  • Outdated and Aggregated Data: 

  • Forest Survey of India (FSI) data is delayed, coarse, and sometimes manipulated. 

  • E.g. FSI overestimated bamboo stocks by 10 times, justifying additional paper mills (as per PISFR reassessment in Dandeli, Karnataka). 

  • Exclusion of Remote Sensing and Community Data: 

  • Satish Dhawan’s ISRO-led Landsat analysis (1972–75) showed 15% forest cover, contrary to FD’s 23% claim, but was suppressed in favor of FSI. 

  • In the age of Google Earth and real-time satellite data, restricting forest data to aggregated district levels hampers transparency. 

  • Monocultures and Pesticide Use: 

  • FD-promoted eucalyptus and acacia plantations led to ecological degradation and pesticide-driven health hazards in the Western Ghats. 

 Way Forward: Towards a People-Oriented, Science-based Approach: 

  • Strengthen FRA Implementation: Expedite recognition of CFR claims, especially in Western Ghats states (Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra). 

  • Leverage Remote Sensing and Public Data: Use real-time satellite imagery (e.g., from NRSC and Bhuvan) for ecological monitoring and participatory planning. 

  • Institutionalize Eco-sensitive Zoning with Local Input: Follow the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) recommendations for demarcating Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs) through community consultation. 

  • Promote Livelihood-linked Conservation: Integrate carbon credits, eco-tourism, and agroforestry into CFR areas to incentivize forest protection. 

  • Deepen Decentralisation through Panchayati Raj: Align forest governance with 73rd Amendment (11th Schedule - Forests, Minor Forest Produce) and empower Gram Sabhas for planning and conflict resolution. 

 Conclusion:  

  • The ecological revival of the Western Ghats cannot be achieved through bureaucratic control and outdated data regimes. Instead, a science-based, people-led, and legally-empowered framework rooted in democratic decentralisation is imperative for both conservation and community well-being. Implementing the Forest Rights Act in letter and spirit, and integrating traditional knowledge with modern ecological science, offers a replicable model for inclusive environmental governance.