Centre notifies 7th draft for ecological zones in Western Ghats

The Indian government has released its seventh draft notification for designating ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, a critical biodiversity hotspot spanning six states, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The proposed ESA covers an area of 56,825 square kilometers, aiming to regulate or prohibit environmentally harmful human activities in this ecologically fragile region. This announcement comes amid ongoing challenges in securing consensus among the states involved, a problem that has persisted since the initial draft was issued in 2014. The Western Ghats, stretching approximately 1,500 kilometers along India’s western coastline, is recognized globally for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. However, the region has faced increasing environmental stress due to deforestation, mining, and infrastructure projects. The new draft follows a pattern set by previous notifications, including the sixth one issued just days after devastating landslides struck Kerala’s Wayanad district in 2024. These landslides were attributed in part to environmental degradation and unregulated human activity in the area. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the seventh draft has been published in the official gazette and will remain open for public review for 60 days. During this time, feedback from stakeholders and the states will be considered before the final ESA notification is issued. The ministry emphasized that the final decision could be implemented in phases, either state-by-state or through a unified notification, potentially expediting the process without requiring simultaneous agreement from all six states. The ESA initiative dates back to August 2011, when the Gadgil Committee, a group of experts led by ecologist Dr. Madhav Gadgil, recommended the creation of a “no-go” zone to protect the Western Ghats. Despite repeated attempts by the central government to finalize the ESA designation, the process has remained stalled due to resistance from some states, particularly Kerala. Officials in Kerala have expressed concerns that the proposed restrictions could negatively impact local livelihoods, especially those dependent on agriculture and other permitted activities. The latest draft outlines specific areas for each state: 20,668 square kilometers in Karnataka, 17,340 square kilometers in Maharashtra, 9,993 square kilometers in Kerala, 6,914 square kilometers in Tamil Nadu, 1,461 square kilometers in Goa, and 449 square kilometers in Gujarat. While these figures represent the proposed ESA boundaries, the ministry clarified that agricultural and plantation activities would not be affected under the current draft. Finalizing the exact area will depend on recommendations from the states, stakeholder input, and the expert committee overseeing the process. Over the years, the central government has issued multiple drafts to address the ESA issue, with versions released in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024. Each attempt has encountered similar obstacles, including disputes over the scope of the protected areas and their potential economic implications for the states. Despite numerous consultations and discussions between the central government and state authorities, a definitive resolution has yet to be reached. The release of the seventh draft underscores the persistent challenge of balancing environmental conservation with regional development priorities. As the 60-day consultation period begins, the focus will shift to how effectively the states and stakeholders engage with the proposal. The outcome of this phase will determine whether the long-standing effort to designate the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area finally moves forward.