Context
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has reissued the draft notification proposing an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats after the previous draft lapsed without finalisation. The move aims to balance ecological conservation with developmental concerns raised by the six affected States.
What is the Latest Draft?
- The draft proposes an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) of 56,825.7 sq. km across six States.
- The notification has been issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- It invites public objections and suggestions before issuing the final notification.
- A committee constituted in 2022 is examining objections raised by States.
States Covered under the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)
| State | Proposed ESA Area (Approx.) |
| Gujarat | 449 sq. km |
| Maharashtra | 20,668 sq. km |
| Goa | 1,461 sq. km |
| Karnataka | 9,993.7 sq. km |
| Kerala | 13,131 sq. km |
| Tamil Nadu | 6,124 sq. km |
Activities Regulated in ESA
| Prohibited Activities | Permitted with Regulation |
| Mining and quarrying Thermal power plants Red-category (highly polluting) industries Large-scale construction projects | Agriculture Horticulture Plantations Existing settlements Renewable energy projects (subject to environmental norms) |
Why is the Notification Important?
- Protects one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots.
- Prevents habitat fragmentation and ecological degradation.
- Conserves wildlife corridors and endemic species.
- Regulates unplanned urbanisation and environmentally damaging activities.
- Helps maintain ecosystem services like water security and climate regulation.
Why are States Opposing the Draft?
States have expressed concerns regarding:
- Restrictions on infrastructure and developmental projects.
- Impact on farmers and plantation owners.
- Possible limitations on livelihood activities.
- Village-level boundary demarcation.
- Demand for reducing ESA coverage.
About Western Ghats
- Extends for about 1,600 km along India’s western coast.
- Runs through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Highest Peak: Anamudi (2,695 m) – Kerala.
- UNESCO Status: 39 sites in the Western Ghats are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Recognised as one of the 36 Biodiversity Hotspots of the world.
Major Conservation Committees
1. Recommendations of Madhav Gadgil Committee (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, 2011)
- Entire Western Ghats should be treated as an Ecologically Sensitive Area.
- Classified the region into ESZ-1, ESZ-2 and ESZ-3 based on ecological sensitivity.
- Recommended stronger environmental regulation with greater local community participation.
2. Recommendations of Kasturirangan Committee (High-Level Working Group, 2013)
- Recommended ESA over about 37% of the Western Ghats (≈59,940 sq. km).
- Adopted a balance between conservation and development.
- Focused protection mainly on natural landscapes, while excluding most cultural landscapes such as plantations and settlements.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC: Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) Recommendations of Madhav Gadgil Committee (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel – WGEEP) Recommendations of Kasturirangan Committee (High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats) |
Q. With reference to the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats, consider the following statements:
1. The Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) is notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. Mining, quarrying and establishment of thermal power plants are prohibited within the proposed ESA.
3. The proposed ESA covers all six States through which the Western Ghats pass.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is Correct: The Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) is notified by the Central Government under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to regulate environmentally harmful activities in ecologically fragile regions.
Statement 2 is Correct: The draft notification prohibits activities such as:
• Mining and quarrying,
• Thermal power plants,
• Red-category industries, and
• Large-scale construction projects, to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Western Ghats.
Statement 3 is Correct: The latest draft proposes an ESA of 56,825.7 sq. km across all six Western Ghats States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu