The Ministry of Environment and Forests had constituted a High Level Working Group (HLWG) under the Chairmanship of Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Member (Science), Planning Commission vide office order dated 17.8.2012 in order to study and make recommendations on how to protect, preserve and nurture the rich biodiversity and environmental integrity of the Western Ghats and suggest steps and the way forward to prevent further degradation of the fragile ecology of the Western Ghats. The HLWG was also tasked with the mandate to take a holistic view of the issue and to bring synergy between protection of environment and biodiversity and the imperatives of equity for the indigenous residents of the Western Ghats area, particularly disadvantaged sections of society, so that their rightful aspirations for inclusive growth and sustainable development are also protected and addressed.