Western Ghats Development Program (WGDP) was launched in 1974-75 as a component of the program for the development of hill areas of the country. The delineation of the Western Ghats Region for inclusion in the Program was settled in 1981 by a one-man Committee headed by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. The Western Ghats Hill Ranges run to a length of about 1600 Kms., more or less parallel to the west coast of Maharashtra starting from the mouth of river Tapti in Dhule district of Maharashtra and ending at Kanyakumari, the southern-most tip of India in Tamil Nadu. The region covers an area of 1.60 lakh sq.kms. supporting a population of 442 lakh (1991 Census).

The main problems of the Western Ghats region are the pressure of increasing population on land and vegetation, undesirable agricultural practices etc. These factors have contributed to ecological and environmental problems in the region. The fragile eco-system of the hills has come under severe pressure because of submersion of large areas under river valley projects, damage to areas due to mining, denudation of forest, clear felling of natural forests for raising commercial plantation, soil erosion leading to silting of reservoirs and reduction in their life span and the adverse effects of floods and landslides, encroachment of forest land and poaching of wild life etc.

The Western Ghat region of Kerala (Sahyadri) stretches over 450 km (28.12%) out of the total length of 1600 km and is spread over 80 Block Panchayaths (out of 152 Blocks in the State) and 537 Grama Panchayaths (out of the total of 999 Panchayaths in the State). Western Ghats Regions were recognized as areas which required to be given special attention for restoration of ecological balance. In pursuance of the policy of accelerating the development of hill areas in the country and at the suggestion of the National Development Council (1972) the centrally sponsored Western Ghats Development Program (WGDP) was introduced in 1974-75 for integrated development of Western Ghats Region.

Western Ghats comprises of 72% of the total geographical area of the Kerala Sate and around 50% of the State’s population. The Western Ghats play an important role in providing substantial rainfall in the state. The “Sahyadri” is the birthplace of 44 major rivers flowing through the state. The rich natural forests of this region are a treasure house of plants, animals and minerals. The influence of Western Ghats has been remarkable in the maintenance and preservation of ecology of the state.

Approach and Objectives of the Programme

The following guiding principles were followed for WGDP for sustainable development of the areas covered under the Programme:

• Maintenance of ecological balance essential for the life support system.
• Preservation of the genetic diversity.
• Restoration of the ecological damage caused by human interactions.
• Creation of awareness among the people and educating them on the far-reaching implications of ecological degradation and securing their active participation for the eco-development schemes.

It has been decided to gradually switch over to the Integrated Watershed Approach on Project basis for development in the Western Ghats area. This approach envisages the identification and delineation of macro and micro watersheds, their prioritization, base-line survey and preparation of an integrated development plan for each macro/micro watershed covering all relevant activities such as Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Horticulture, Afforestation, Fuel and Fodder Development, Minor Irrigation, Animal Husbandry and Sericulture.

The development components under WGDP