KOCHI: With Jairam Ramesh, a maverick who set new standards for environmental clearances, going out of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), greens associated with the Western Ghats projects, including Athirappilly, are a worried lot.There's great concern among environmentalists on the future of certain crucial initiatives launched by the outgoing minister."Jairam Ramesh had taken personal interest in Athirappilly, and was firm and committed to protecting the falls. We can't expect a transition and transfer of such commitment."Similarly, he had written to the Goa Chief Minister on declaring Mahadeyi as a tiger sanctuary. It was done against the interest of miners and the politician miners nexus," Sudhirendar Sharma of the Western Ghats Forum said on Tuesday. Jairam Ramesh has been active in dealing with major projects along the Western Ghats.It has been pointed out that as a minister, Jairam Ramesh was easily approachable and was particular about ensuring transparency. It was during his tenure at MoEF that the Western Ghats panel and the Elephant Task Force were set up. He also had a major role in reviving the National Tiger Conservation Authority. "Notification for the river regulation authority was expected to be released soon. Jairam Ramesh was the first minister in the past 30 years who showed what powers the MoEF has. He gave a boost to the ministry. He made society and the corporate world environment alert and conscious of green concerns. The minister also showed special interest in issues related to the Athirappilly project," A Latha of the River Research Centre, Thrissur, said.There's a wide concern on whether Jayanthi Natarajan would take much interest in the Western Ghats panel set up by Ramesh. There are apprehensions that at a time when the panel is giving final touches to its report on Western Ghats, a change in the ministry will have an adverse impact. It's to be seen how Jayanthi Natarajan transforms herself into a spokesperson of conservation from the spokesperson of the party, they said."The Western Ghats panel was set up as the minister wanted to conserve the remaining portion of the region and restore it without much damage. Ghats is crucial in providing drinking water to six states, particularly Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The panel was in the final state of preparing the report. We have to see how the new minister withstands pressure from the industry and developers," V S Vijayan, former chairman of the Kerala Biodiversity Board and a member of the Western Ghats panel, said.
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