Western Ghats ESA: Conservation Plan and State Opposition

Source: The post “Western Ghats ESA: Conservation Plan and State Opposition” has been created based on “Western Ghats ESA: Conservation Plan and State Opposition”, published in “Indian Express” on 23rd June 2026.

UPSC Syllabus: GS-2- Governance

Context: The Western Ghats, stretching over 1,500 km across six states, are one of the world’s eight hottest biodiversity hotspots. To balance conservation and development, the government has proposed the notification of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) based on the recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee.

Need for ESA in the Western Ghats

1. The Western Ghats harbour rich biodiversity, including numerous endemic plant and animal species.
2. The region contains important wildlife habitats, including tiger reserves, elephant corridors, and protected areas.
3. It acts as a major watershed supporting rivers such as Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, and Periyar.
4. The mountain chain influences the Indian monsoon by intercepting moisture-laden winds.
5. ESA status helps regulate environmentally harmful activities such as mining, quarrying, thermal power plants, and highly polluting industries.
6. Conservation of the Ghats is essential for ecological security, water security, and climate resilience.

Key Features of the ESA Proposal

1. The Gadgil Committee (2011) recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats region as an Ecologically Sensitive Area with stringent restrictions.
2. The Kasturirangan Committee (2013) adopted a balanced approach by distinguishing between natural and cultural landscapes.
3. It identified around 60,000 sq km of biologically rich natural landscape for ESA notification.
4. The proposal seeks to ban mining, quarrying, red-category industries, thermal power plants, and large construction projects in ESA regions.
5. The Centre later proposed 56,825 sq km as ESA through draft notifications.

Challenges in Implementing the ESA Framework

1. Lack of consensus among Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
2. Concerns over restrictions on economic activities, industries, mining, and infrastructure projects.
3. Opposition from local communities fearing impacts on livelihoods and development.
4. Disputes regarding village boundaries, land classification, and satellite-based mapping.
5. Demands by states for further reduction of ESA boundaries.
6. Karnataka has largely opposed the Kasturirangan recommendations, while Kerala seeks exclusion of plantation and agricultural areas.
7. Balancing ecological conservation with developmental aspirations remains a major challenge.

Way Forward

1. Adopt a participatory approach involving state governments, local communities, and experts.
2. Improve ground-truthing and scientific mapping to address boundary-related disputes.
3. Provide financial incentives and compensation mechanisms for states conserving ecological resources.
4. Promote sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and green livelihoods in ESA regions.
5. Strengthen implementation of ecosystem service payment mechanisms.
6. Ensure a balance between conservation objectives and legitimate developmental needs.

Conclusion: The Western Ghats are critical for India’s biodiversity, water security, and climate stability. A scientifically informed and stakeholder-driven ESA framework is essential to achieve sustainable development while preserving this invaluable ecological treasure for future generations.

Question: The Western Ghats are among the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. Discuss the need for Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats and examine the challenges in implementing the ESA framework.

Source: Indian Express