Lok Sabha Question No. 2522 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Implementation of Gadgil Report in Pune
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2522

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## Implementation of Gadgil Report in Pune

## 2522.     DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to implement the recommendations of the Gadgil Report in Pune district, particularly in the ecologically sensitive Talukas of Junnar, Ambegaon and Maval;
- (b) if so, the details of specific actions taken to preserve biodiversity and protect wildlife species such as leopards and giant squirrels (Shekaru) in the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted or commissioned any environmental impact assessments or studies related to ongoing and proposed infrastructure projects in these areas;
- (d) whether any measures have been adopted to ensure sustainable development while conserving the ecological balance in these Talukas and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if  not,  the  reasons  for  the  delay  or  inaction  in  implementing  the  Gadgil  Report's recommendations in Pune district?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) to  (e)  The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  had constituted a   Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel headed by Prof. Madhav Gadgil for  the  identification  of  Western  Ghats  Ecologically  Sensitive  Areas.  After  the submission of Gadgil report another committee i.e. High-Level Working Group headed by Dr. K. Kasturirangan had been constituted to review this report in a holistic manner. Subsequently, for the conservation and protection of the Western Ghats, the Ministry issued  a  draft  notification  on  10.03.2014,  to  notify  Western  Ghats  Ecologically Sensitive Areas. Due to non-finalisation of preceding draft notifications, the Ministry has notified the latest draft notification vide S.O. 3060(E) dated 31.07.2024, covering an  area  of  56,825.7  square  kilometers  spreading  across  six  States  i.e.  Gujarat,  Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Ministry has received comments/objections/suggestions on this draft notification from various stakeholders and the same have been forwarded to the respective State Governments for providing comments/suggestions on the matter.

To protect the  biodiversity  including  wildlife species in  the  Western  Ghats region of Maharashtra, an area of 2,795.64 sq. km has been brought under protection through  National  Parks,  Wildlife  Sanctuaries  and  Eco-sensitive  Zones.  In  order  to address the issues raised by the respective State Governments on draft notification of Western Ghats Ecologically sensitive Areas, the Ministry has constituted a Committee to examine the suggestions of the six States in a holistic manner, keeping in view the conservation aspects of the ecosystem, and the rights, privileges, needs and developmental  aspirations  of  the  region.  The  concerns/suggestions  of  the  State Governments, including Maharashtra are being deliberated by the Committee with the respective State Governments on merits for finalization of the draft notification.

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