Centre Reissues Seventh Draft Notification for Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area

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. UPSC Relevance: This topic is highly relevant for GS Paper III (Environment and Conservation) and GS Paper II (Federalism and Governance). Aspirants should focus on the conflict between ecological preservation and economic development, the role of expert committees in policy formulation, and the challenges of implementing national environmental standards in a federal polity.