Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Keralam Seeks Exclusion of Homes, Farms From Western Ghats ESA
The Centre has proposed marking some parts of the Western Ghats in Keralam as environmentally sensitive areas.
This could affect villages, homes, and farms in those places.
Keralam’s government wants more than 30 villages removed from the proposal completely.
It also wants homes and farmland removed from the protected-area limits in other villages.
Agriculture Minister T Siddique said the plan involves about 131 villages and 9,993 square kilometres of land.
State ministers and officials are discussing the issue with the Chief Minister.
They say they are considering scientific information and farmers’ concerns.
The government says it will protect people’s interests while responding to the Centre.
Its objections and suggestions must be submitted by September 24.
Keralam plans to seek the exclusion of residential and agricultural areas from the Centre’s draft Western Ghats ESA notification.
The state aims to remove more than 30 villages entirely from the proposed environmentally sensitive area list.
It is also seeking to exclude homes and farmland in the remaining villages.
The proposed changes cover around 131 villages and 9,993 square kilometres of land, according to Agriculture Minister T Siddique.
The government will submit its response before the September 24 deadline after considering scientific evidence and farmers’ concerns.
- Who
- The Keralam government, including Agriculture Minister T Siddique, Chief Minister V D Satheesan and Revenue Minister A P Anilkumar, is responding to the draft notification.
- What
- The state is seeking to exclude residential areas, agricultural land and some entire villages from the proposed Western Ghats environmentally sensitive area limits.
- When
- The government’s response is due by September 24; the draft notification was issued on July 25, 2026.
- Where
- The proposal concerns parts of the Western Ghats in Keralam; the announcement was made at a press conference in Kozhikode.
- Why
- The state says it wants to address residents’ and farmers’ concerns and prevent decisions that could adversely affect people’s lives.
- Villages targeted for complete exclusion
- More than 30 villages
- Total villages and land mentioned
- Around 131 villages and 9,993 square kilometres
- Areas the state wants excluded
- Residential areas and agricultural land
- Draft notification date
- July 25, 2026
- Objection deadline
- September 24
- Government consultations
- Chief Minister V D Satheesan has held discussions with state ministers, officials and the Western Ghats Environmental Expert Committee