Western
Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)
Prelims:
Environment & Ecology
Mains:
GS Paper III-Environment Conservation
Current relevance:
The Union Ministry of Environment
has reissued the draft notification proposing an Ecologically Sensitive Area
(ESA) in the Western Ghats for the seventh time.
Highlights:
Evolution
of the ESA Proposal
1.
In 2011, Madhav Gadgil Committee, recommended that
the entire Western Ghats be treated as ecologically sensitive, with
graded levels of protection.
2. Kasturirangan High-Level Working Group: After objections from the States, it recommended
declaring about 37% of the Western Ghats, covering 59,940 sq. km of
natural landscape, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area.
3. In 2026 draft notification retains the
proposed ESA of 56,825.7 sq. km, spread across Gujarat, Maharashtra,
Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
About the proposal:
1.
The draft
proposes prohibition of mining, quarrying, sand mining, new thermal power
plants, certain industries, large construction projects.
2.
Activities
such as hydel power generation will be regulated.
3.
The six
Western Ghats States have expressed concerns regarding the impact of the ESA
declaration on agriculture, plantations, infrastructure, development
activities.
4.
The 2026
draft notification retains the proposed ESA extent, State-wise area,
regulatory provisions, and list of villages without any substantive changes
from the 2024 draft notification.
Source: THE HINDU- https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/centre-reissues-notification-on-western-ghats-eco-sensitive-zone-amid-deadlock-with-states/article71277625.ece