Centre Reissues Draft Notification on Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA)

Context:

Recently, The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has reissued, for the seventh time, the draft notification proposing an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats after the previous draft lapsed in July 2026.

What is the Draft Notification?

The draft notification seeks to protect ecologically fragile areas of the Western Ghats, one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots, by declaring them as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).

Once finalized, the notification will:

• • • Prohibit mining, quarrying, sand mining, new thermal power plants, red-category polluting industries, and large construction projects.
    • Regulate activities such as hydropower projects and infrastructure development.
    • Permit agriculture, plantations, horticulture, organic farming, and other sustainable livelihood activities.

The latest notification will remain open for 60 days for public objections before the Centre considers issuing the final notification. It retains the proposed ESA at 56,825.7 sq. km across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, highlighting the Centre's continuing efforts to balance ecological conservation with the developmental concerns of the States.

Extent of the Proposed ESA:

The proposed 56,825.7 sq. km ESA is distributed among six Western Ghats States as follows:

• • • Karnataka: 20,668 sq. km
    • Maharashtra: 17,340 sq. km
    • Kerala: 9,993.7 sq. km
    • Tamil Nadu: 6,914 sq. km
    • Goa: 1,461 sq. km
    • Gujarat: 449 sq. km

These areas are based largely on the recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee, with modifications made after State-level consultations.

What is an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)?

An Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)—also known as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)—is a buffer zone notified by the Central Government around Protected Areas to act as a shock absorber, protecting fragile ecosystems from environmentally destructive human activities while promoting sustainable development.

Legal and Institutional Framework:

• • • Statutory Basis: Notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, read with Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.
    • Extent: Generally extends up to 10 km around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, though the boundary may vary depending on ecological requirements and wildlife corridors.
    • Supreme Court Direction (2022): Mandated a minimum 1-km Eco-Sensitive Zone around all National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries across India unless site-specific circumstances justify otherwise.

About Western Ghats:

The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills, extend for nearly 1,600 km from the Tapti River in Gujarat to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, covering six States.

The region is:

• • • A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    • One of the world's eight "hottest" biodiversity hotspots.
    • Home to numerous endemic species such as the Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Tahr.
    • The origin of major peninsular rivers including the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
    • A major regulator of the southwest monsoon and India's water security.

However, it faces increasing threats from mining, deforestation, plantation expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development.

Major Committees on Western Ghats:

Madhav Gadgil Committee (WGEEP), 2011

• • • Recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats (1,29,037 sq. km) as an Ecologically Sensitive Area.
    • Proposed three ecological zones with graded protection and stringent restrictions on mining, dams, and industries.
    • Recommended creating a Western Ghats Ecology Authority.
    • Faced strong opposition from States for being overly restrictive.

Kasturirangan Committee (HLWG), 2013

• • • Adopted a balanced approach by recommending that only 37% of the Western Ghats (about 56,825–60,000 sq. km) comprising the natural landscape be notified as an ESA.
    • Distinguished between natural landscapes and cultural landscapes (villages and plantations).
    • Proposed banning mining, quarrying, and polluting industries while allowing agriculture and plantation activities to continue.
    • Forms the basis of the present draft notification.

Sanjay Kumar Committee (2022)

• • • Constituted to examine State-level objections.
    • Reviewing village-wise boundaries and conducting field verification before finalization of the ESA.

Significance:

The proposed ESA notification seeks to achieve a balance between environmental conservation and sustainable development. Protecting the Western Ghats is vital for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, water security, ecological connectivity, and reducing human-wildlife conflicts. At the same time, continued consultations with States reflect the importance of cooperative federalism in environmental governance.

Conclusion:

The repeated reissuance of the Western Ghats ESA notification underscores the challenge of balancing ecological conservation with economic development. A science-based, participatory, and cooperative approach is essential to protect this globally significant ecosystem while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for local communities.