NEWS – Union government issued Draft Notification for Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Affected Area: 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats across six states, including 13 villages in Wayanad, Kerala.
• Deadline: Suggestions and objections invited within 60 days.

Objectives:

• Consensus Building: Aim to achieve agreement among six states—Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
• Committee Leadership: Headed by Dr. Sanjay Kumar, former Director General of Forests.

Committee Details:

• Formation: The committee was formed in 2022.
• Discussion: High-Level Committee meeting in Dehradun on October 15, 2022.
• Report: Final recommendations expected by September, subject to possible extension.

Key Aspects of the Draft Notification:

• Declaration: Western Ghats to be declared an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
• Significance: The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s ‘hottest hotspots’ of biodiversity.
• Challenges: Achieving consensus among states, dealing with inclusion/exclusion concerns.

Proposed ESA Coverage:

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

Regulatory Proposals:

• Mining Restrictions: Complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining.
  • Phase-out: Existing mines to be phased out within five years or upon lease expiry.
• Construction Restrictions:
  • Prohibited: New and expansion projects with built-up areas of 20,000 sq meters or more, and townships/area developments with areas of 50 hectares or more.
  • Allowed: Repair, extension, or renovation of existing residential houses per prevailing laws.

Historical Context:

• K Kasturirangan Committee (2013): Recommended protecting the Western Ghats with a revised ESA designation.
• Madhav Gadgil Committee (2011): Suggested declaring 64% of the Western Ghats as ESA, advocating minimal development.