Hidden Agenda: Blaming Wayanadu Disaster Victims and the Role of NGOs Behind the Carbon Fund

The recent Wayanadu landslide has sparked a contentious debate, revealing a hidden agenda to blame the victims while advancing the interests of certain NGOs and political leaders. Despite clear evidence from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) attributing the disaster to unusually heavy rainfall, some groups have been quick to point fingers at local farmers, alleging that their unscientific construction practices were the real cause. This narrative conveniently overlooks the impact of climate change and instead promotes a misleading agenda that serves the interests of a few at the expense of the many.

Union Forest Minister’s Accusations

Union Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav was among the first to blame the disaster on the people of Wayanad, particularly targeting farmers and the state government. In statements made both publicly and in the Rajya Sabha, Yadav accused the Kerala government of ignoring central committee recommendations and claimed that unregulated activities, including illegal mining and deforestation, were responsible for the landslide. He further called for a comprehensive state plan to protect the region, implying that local practices were at the heart of the problem.

“The Kerala government allowed illegal mining, uncontrolled construction and unregulated commercial activity in the state’s fragile region that resulted in the devastating landslides in Wayanad district,” Yadav told reporters.

Kerala Government’s Response

In a strongly worded response, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Minister P Rajeev refuted these allegations, defending the local population and questioning the motives behind Yadav’s statements. The Chief Minister emphasized that the landslide occurred in a densely forested area, far from any granite quarries or significant human intervention. He criticized the Union Minister for spreading false information and condemned the attempt to vilify the victims of the disaster.

Minister P Rajeev added that the state government is committed to conducting a thorough scientific study of the landslide, particularly in areas where there is minimal human activity. He warned against the Central Forest Department’s draft order to demolish hills without proper environmental permissions, suggesting that such moves are part of a broader strategy to displace local communities under the guise of environmental conservation.

The response from the Wayanadu disaster victims is a heartrending expression of their profound grief and injustice:

“Let us open our hearts and weep; the overwhelming burden of blame has consumed us. Everything we have built and cherished in our lives is now gone… We have lost our loved ones… Children have been torn from their parents, and parents have been robbed of their children. Who can ever compensate us for the unfathomable losses we have endured? We are in so much pain that we cannot even cry, and yet we are blamed for the landslides simply because we farmed the land. Those who accuse us with such cruelty show less compassion than animals,” said Joy Kannanchira, leader of the farmers’ organization.

The Role of Environmental Propaganda

As the debate rages on, various environmental groups have seized the opportunity to push their agenda. Some activists have claimed that if the Madhav Gadgil report, which advocated for stricter environmental protections in the Western Ghats, had been implemented, the disaster could have been avoided. Social media channels amplified these claims, leading to widespread speculation that the influx of tourists and the construction of resorts in the area were responsible for the tragedy.

However, these arguments ignore the broader context provided by climate scientists and the GSI. The GSI’s study, conducted after the disaster, clearly identifies the heavy rainfall—exacerbated by climate change—as the primary cause of the landslide. This is supported by research from the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat), which found that changes in the Arabian Sea’s ecosystem, driven by global warming, have led to more extreme weather patterns in Kerala, including intense rainfall and severe heatwaves.

Climate Change: The Real Culprit

The root cause of the Wayanadu landslide, as supported by scientific evidence, is not local construction practices but rather the broader phenomenon of climate change. The Arabian Sea’s surface temperatures have increased significantly, leading to more frequent and intense rainfall events. This trend, driven by global warming and the rise in greenhouse gas levels, particularly in developed countries, has had a profound impact on Kerala’s climate. The warming of the oceans has resulted in greater evaporation and the formation of cumulus clouds, which release large amounts of rain over small areas, causing flash floods and landslides.

It is critical to recognize that the extreme weather patterns witnessed in Kerala, including the Wayanadu landslide, are symptoms of a global problem. The focus should be on addressing climate change and its impacts rather than scapegoating local communities who are themselves victims of these larger environmental forces.

The Hidden Agenda

The narrative blaming local farmers and communities for the Wayanadu landslide appears to be part of a larger agenda. By portraying these communities as environmental violators, certain groups may be seeking to justify land grabs or the implementation of restrictive policies that benefit a few at the expense of the many. This tactic not only undermines the true causes of the disaster but also threatens the livelihoods of those who have lived in harmony with the environment for generations.

In conclusion, the Wayanadu disaster should serve as a wake-up call to address the real issue at hand—climate change. The focus should be on mitigating the impacts of global warming and ensuring that vulnerable communities are protected, rather than being unfairly blamed for natural disasters beyond their control. The hidden agenda to make Wayanadu disaster victims guilty must be exposed and challenged, ensuring justice for those affected and preventing the exploitation of environmental narratives for ulterior motives.

The warming of the Arabian Sea is primarily attributed to several interrelated factors: