Wayanad disaster is not just a natural calamity; leave fragile zones untouched: Medha Patkar

The devastating scenes from the landslide-hit areas of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad have left Medha Patkar, renowned environmentalist and leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan, deeply shaken. Accompanied by a team from Manorama Online, she visited the site of the tragedy, where she described the scenes as heart-wrenching. Patkar pointed out that the unchecked exploitation of nature in the name of development is driving such disasters. She also emphasised that events like floods and landslides cannot be classified as purely natural calamities alone.

In an exclusive interview shot from Mundakkai, Medha Patkar shared her thoughts on environmental degradation and the future of development in the affected areas. Below are excerpts from the interview:

Development is needed, but not everywhere
These fragile areas have been facing the threat of landslides since 1984. Development activities in ecologically sensitive regions are dangerous, a concern that was clearly highlighted in the Gadgil Committee report. It’s not just Wayanad—entire zones of the Western Ghats were included in that report.

Yet, the recommendations are largely ignored. When climate change intersects with the human belief that nature exists solely for their use, ecological disasters occur. This isn’t just happening in Kerala, but also in states like Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh.

Kerala is renowned for its leadership in human rights, healthcare, and social initiatives. But it is equally vulnerable to ecological disasters. In 2018, the state faced devastating floods, and now, it’s grappling with landslides.

We urgently need to regulate development activities that destroy the environment. Development is necessary, but not everywhere. Tourism is vital—it sustains the livelihoods of those living in the high ranges. But tourism must not come at the cost of nature. We need meticulous planning and strict regulations. True tourism is about experiencing nature, not shattering it.

Leave the extremely fragile zones alone
The disasters that struck Mundakkai and Chooralmala cannot be entirely blamed on nature. Human intervention has also played a role. After the landslide, the entire character of the river changed. Massive boulders were effortlessly carried kilometers away. This was a change that no one expected. We must leave extremely fragile zones alone untouched. No development activities should ever be attempted in such areas.  We should preserve natural resources intact. Keep the environment for the coming generations.
Carbon emissions are not just a problem for Kerala or India - it’s a global issue. That's why discussions on this matter shouldn't be confined to conferences in Paris or Rio de Janeiro.

The young generation must know
The younger generation needs to understand the real causes behind climate change. They must witness and grasp the changes happening to nature. We are mere caretakers of the environment, not its owners. Yet, many companies are into extracting natural resources solely for profit. It will be better for us to reconsider any development that exceeds the carrying capacity of nature including its mountains.

The government needs a budget plan
It was anticipated that Kerala would receive financial aid from the central government after the landslide tragedy. It had faced the same issue during the 2018 floods as well. As the state government plans its budget, it must exercise caution, carefully considering where funds should be allocated and where it should not. Protecting human lives is more important than K-Rail. All aspects - water, ecology, and forests - should be preserved .