Centre Reissues Seventh Draft Notification for Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has reissued the seventh draft notification proposing to declare 56,825.7 sq. km across six states—Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu—as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). This move is part of a long-standing effort to implement the recommendations of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), headed by Madhav Gadgil, and the subsequent High-Level Working Group (HLWG) led by K. Kasturirangan.

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity, face severe threats from deforestation, mining, and unplanned infrastructure development. The proposed ESA notification aims to regulate or prohibit activities such as mining, quarrying, large-scale construction, and highly polluting industries within the identified zones to ensure the long-term ecological security of the region.

However, the implementation has been stalled for over a decade due to significant disagreements between the Centre and the respective state governments. State authorities have frequently raised concerns regarding the potential impact of these restrictions on local livelihoods, agricultural practices, and developmental aspirations. The current notification remains open for public objections and suggestions for a period of 60 days, reflecting the government's attempt to balance environmental conservation with the principles of cooperative federalism.

For UPSC aspirants, this issue highlights the complex interplay between environmental protection and developmental needs. It underscores the challenges in implementing expert committee recommendations in a federal structure where land and development are sensitive state subjects. Understanding the ecological significance of the Western Ghats, the history of the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports, and the legal framework of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is essential for addressing questions related to sustainable development and environmental governance.