22 hrs ago
NGO Says ESA Resolutions Cannot Function as Exclusion Orders
An environmental group sent a legal notice to the Government of Kerala.
The group is concerned about local resolutions related to protected areas in the Western Ghats.
It says these resolutions should not automatically remove any area from environmental protection.
Instead, they should be treated as requests, objections or recommendations.
The group said decisions must follow environmental law and scientific evidence.
It also asked officials to keep records of how decisions are made.
If illegal activities cause environmental harm, the responsible people or organizations may have to pay for repairs.
The group said it may seek help from courts or environmental authorities if necessary.
The Animals and Nature Ethics Community Trust sent a legal notice to the Government of Kerala.
It demanded that Grama Panchayat resolutions on the Western Ghats ESA draft notification not be treated as exclusion orders.
The NGO said local representations should be described as recommendations, objections, requests or representations to competent authorities.
It warned that parties responsible for environmental damage could face compensation, restoration and remediation costs.
The Trust called for preserving records and said it may approach authorities, audit bodies, tribunals or courts.
- Who
- The Animals and Nature Ethics Community Trust, an environmental conservation NGO, sent the notice to the Government of Kerala.
- What
- It demanded that local-body resolutions concerning the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area draft notification not be portrayed as exclusion orders.
- Where
- The notice concerns Kerala and the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area process; it was sent from Kochi through an advocate.
- When
- The notice was reported on September 24.
- Why
- The NGO seeks legal compliance, transparency, scientific decision-making and accountability in handling local representations and possible environmental damage.
Key facts
- Organization
- Animals and Nature Ethics Community Trust (ANEC Trust)
- Recipient
- Government of Kerala
- Issue
- Treatment of Grama Panchayat resolutions concerning the Western Ghats ESA draft notification
- Requested description
- Local resolutions should be identified as representations, recommendations, objections or requests
- Records to preserve
- Minutes, notices, agendas, correspondence, emails, maps, GIS material, representations and expert reports
- Potential liability
- Responsible persons or entities may be liable for environmental compensation, restoration, remediation and recovery
- Possible forums
- Competent authorities, audit authorities, the National Green Tribunal and the High Court of Kerala
Quotes
Animals and Nature Ethics Community (ANEC) Trust
Kochi-based environmental conservation NGO that issued the legal notice
“The Western Ghats ESA process must therefore proceed through law, science, transparent public participation and accountable decision-making — not through representations being subsequently treated as statutory exemptions.”
theprint.in
“Any local representation must be accurately described as a representation, recommendation, objection or request to the competent authority.”
theprint.in
Sources
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