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1 August 2026

Western Ghats conservation

The Western Ghats ESA notification is a recurring, high-priority policy issue involving the Environment Protection Act, federal tensions between the Centre and states, and the balance between ecological conservation and developmental needs.

1 min read Day 2 of 2 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • Western Ghats span six coastal Indian States and contain 39 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • WGEEP (Gadgil Committee, 2010) recommended declaring 142 talukas as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA).
  • Kasturirangan Committee (2012) reviewed WGEEP recommendations, limiting ESA to 37% of the Western Ghats.
  • MoEF&CC has issued five draft notifications between 2015 and 2026 to formalize ESA status under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
  • Current status: Gujarat and Goa have signaled agreement; Maharashtra seeks review; Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are in ongoing discussions.
  • Karnataka identifies 20,668 sq km for ESA; state opposition cites risks to agriculture, plantations, mining, and infrastructure.
  • Local concerns include potential displacement, restrictions on minor forest produce, and the perceived inaccuracy of satellite-based mapping for land-use classification.
  • The 2024 draft notification includes a clause for 'State-wise finalisation' or 'phased rollout' to facilitate consensus.
  • Indigenous communities are identified as essential for maintaining biocultural diversity and sustainable forest management.

Part of a longer story

This is day 2 of 2 in Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area Notification Process, which has been running since 29 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Discuss the challenges in balancing ecological conservation with socio-economic development in the Western Ghats, specifically regarding the implementation of Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notifications. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The conservation of biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats requires a delicate balance between top-down environmental policy and local stakeholder participation. Critically analyze the role of expert committees in shaping India's forest governance and suggest measures to ensure inclusive conservation. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which committee was primarily responsible for recommending the classification of 142 talukas in the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA)?

  2. Under which legislative framework are the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notifications for the Western Ghats proposed to be issued?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-01/western-ghats-conservation