Archive · 28 Jul 2026
Government re-issues Western Ghats eco-sensitive area draft
The government has re-issued a draft notification to declare a large area of the Western Ghats as an eco-sensitive zone.
This area is spread across six states and is known for its rich biodiversity.
The draft suggests banning activities like mining and setting up new power plants in these areas.
The states have different opinions on how much land should be protected, and the central government is working to finalize the details with them.
An expert committee has been given more time to study the views of all the states involved.
The Centre re-issued a draft notification declaring 56,825.7 sq km of Western Ghats as eco-sensitive area (ESA).
The draft was issued on Monday, August 2024, after the previous iteration lapsed due to disagreements between the MoEFCC and the states.
The proposed ESA areas are spread across six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
The draft recommends banning mining, quarrying, sand mining, new thermal power plants, and large construction projects in ESAs.
The tenure of the expert committee, headed by Sanjay Kumar, has been extended until July 2027 to resolve discrepancies with the states.
- Who
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and six state governments
- What
- Re-issuance of draft notification declaring Western Ghats as eco-sensitive area
- When
- Monday, August 2024
- Where
- Western Ghats across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
- Why
- To conserve the biodiversity hotspot and resolve discrepancies with state governments
State Governments
Central Government
Demarcation of ESA Areas
State Governments
States like Karnataka oppose the draft notification, while others like Gujarat and Goa have largely agreed upon the areas to be finalized as ESA.
Central Government
The Central Government is working to resolve discrepancies and finalize the ESA areas with the states.
Conservation vs. Development
State Governments
States may prioritize developmental aspirations and local needs.
Central Government
The Central Government emphasizes conservation aspects and ecological sensitivity.
- Total ESA Area
- 56,825.7 sq km
- States Involved
- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
- Expert Committee Head
- Sanjay Kumar
- Committee Tenure Extension
- Until July 2027
- Initial Draft Notification
- March 2014
- Current Draft Issued
- Monday, August 2024
- Prohibited Activities
- Mining, quarrying, sand mining, new thermal power plants, 'red' category industries, large construction projects