Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area Notification Process

2 entries over 4 days, from 29 July 2026 to 1 August 2026.

01
29 July

Western Ghats eco-zone draft notification

The Union Environment Ministry has reissued a draft notification for the seventh time in over a decade to declare the Western Ghats an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
The draft proposes an ESA of 56,825.7 sq. km across six states: Gujarat (449 sq. km), Maharashtra (17,340 sq. km), Goa (1,461 sq. km), Karnataka (20,668 sq. km), Kerala (9,993.7 sq. km), and Tamil Nadu (6,914 sq. km).
Proposed prohibitions include mining, quarrying, sand mining, new thermal power plants, and large-scale construction projects; hydel power generation will be regulated.
The notification remains open for public objections for 60 days.
A 2022 expert committee is currently reviewing state-level objections regarding the specific demarcation of village boundaries and land inclusion.
The current draft shows no substantive changes compared to the July 2024 notification.
Historical context: The Madhav Gadgil panel (2011) recommended protecting the entire 1,29,000 sq. km mountain chain; the K. Kasturirangan committee (subsequent) recommended designating 37% (59,940 sq. km) as an ESA.
States have raised concerns regarding the impact of the ESA status on agriculture, plantations, infrastructure, and regional development.

02
1 August

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.

Newest first. A story that ran for 4 days is exactly the kind the mains paper asks about as one question.

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 · 1 August
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 · 1 August
Discuss the challenges in balancing ecological conservation with developmental aspirations in the context of the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notification. 150 words · 29 July
The demarcation of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area has faced repeated delays due to inter-state disagreements. Analyze the institutional mechanisms required to resolve conflicts between federal environmental mandates and state-level developmental concerns. 250 words · 29 July

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