News: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) reissued the 7th draft notification on the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) after a decade of consultations with States.

Key Provisions

Prohibited Activities:

• Mining, quarrying, sand mining
• New thermal power plants
• Certain polluting industries
• Large construction projects

Regulated Activities:

• Hydel power projects
• Other development activities

Extent

• Proposed ESA: 56,825.7 sq. km
• Covers 6 States: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Gujarat
• Karnataka has the largest ESA area.

State Concerns

• Possible impact on agriculture and plantations.
• Restrictions on roads, housing, and industrial development.
• Disputes over village inclusion, especially in Wayanad (Kerala).

Background

• 2011 Gadgil Committee: Recommended the entire Western Ghats (1,29,000 sq. km) as ESA.
• 2013 Kasturirangan Committee: Recommended 37% (59,940 sq. km) as ESA, focusing on natural landscapes.
• Since 2014, multiple draft notifications have attempted to balance conservation and development.

Current Status

• Latest draft is open for public objections for 60 days.
• No change in ESA area or regulatory provisions compared to the July 2024 draft.

Significance

• Protects the UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global biodiversity hotspot.
• Conserves the source of several major peninsular rivers.
• Seeks to balance environmental conservation with sustainable development through cooperative federalism.