Twelve years after issuing its first draft notification, the Centre is preparing to finalise and notify Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, beginning with the three states where disputes have largely been resolved. Over 56,000 square km of land across six states is proposed for ESA demarcation, based on the 2013 recommendations of a high-level working group led by former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan. In the sixth (2024) draft notification, a total of 56,825.7 square km was proposed, down from the nearly 60,000 sq km originally identified by the Kasturirangan panel, with reductions mainly in Kerala. Within ESAs, new mining and quarrying, thermal power plants, red-category polluting industries, and large constructions of 20,000 square metres or more face a complete ban or heavy restriction. Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra have nearly agreed on their areas, while Kerala and Karnataka continue to hold out. Karnataka has the largest extent at 20,668 sq km (36.3 per cent) and rejected the Kasturirangan report in 2024; Maharashtra has the second largest at 17,340 sq km. Gujarat is the only state to give final consent, covering about 449-470 sq km across 64 villages. An expert committee constituted in 2022, headed by former Director General of Forest Sanjay Kumar, is examining state objections. A final notification under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, will give stronger legal protection to the Western Ghats, a UNESCO world heritage site and biodiversity hotspot known as the water tower of peninsular India.
Centre Moves to Notify Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Areas in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa
The Centre is set to finalise and notify Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Areas first in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa, where disputes are largely settled, while Kerala and Karnataka hold out. Over 56,000 sq km across six states is proposed for ESA status under the 2013 Kasturirangan panel recommendations.
Key facts
- Over 56,000 sq km across six states is proposed as ESA based on the 2013 Kasturirangan working group; the 2024 sixth draft proposed 56,825.7 sq km.
- Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra have nearly agreed, while Kerala and Karnataka continue to hold out; Tamil Nadu has no major divergence.
- Karnataka has the largest extent at 20,668 sq km (36.3%); Maharashtra second largest at 17,340 sq km; Tamil Nadu 6,914 sq km; Gujarat about 449-470 sq km across 64 villages.
- New mining, quarrying, thermal power plants, red-category industries and constructions of 20,000 sq m or more face a ban or heavy restrictions in ESAs.
- An expert committee constituted in 2022, headed by former DG Forest Sanjay Kumar, is examining state objections; final notification falls under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- The Western Ghats is a UNESCO world heritage site and biodiversity hotspot, the source of rivers like Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery, Periyar and Sharavathi, earning the tag water tower of peninsular India.
6-axis classification
Appears in these topics
Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
With reference to the demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, consider the following statements:\n1. The proposed ESA demarcation is based on the 2013 recommendations of a high-level working group led by former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan.\n2. The Madhav Gadgil committee had recommended that only about 60,000 square km of the Western Ghats be declared as ESA.\nWhich of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: the proposed demarcation of over 56,000 sq km is based on the 2013 recommendations of the high-level working group led by former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan. Statement 2 is incorrect: the Madhav Gadgil committee recommended that the entire Western Ghats, a total of 129,037 sq km, be declared as ESA with varying restrictions; it was the Kasturirangan panel that later suggested about 60,000 sq km.
Source: The Indian Express
Frequently asked questions
What is the basis for the Western Ghats ESA demarcation?
The demarcation is based on the 2013 recommendations of a high-level working group led by former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan, which proposed declaring about 60,000 sq km as ESA.
Which states are close to agreement and which are holding out?
Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra are close to agreement, while Kerala and Karnataka continue to negotiate; Tamil Nadu has no major divergence.
Which activities are restricted in the ESAs?
New mining and quarrying, thermal power plants, red-category polluting industries, and large constructions of 20,000 square metres or more are proposed to be banned or heavily restricted.
Under which law will the final ESA notification be issued?
It will be issued under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, giving stronger legal protection to the Western Ghats.
Was this useful?
Share corrections or missing exam angles with the editorial team.
Send feedback