The Centre has issued a new draft notification proposing the designation of over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats across six states, including 13 villages in Kerala’s Wayanad, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
The move comes on the heels of a devastating series of landslides that claimed over 300 lives in Wayanad.
The draft, issued on July 31, invites suggestions and objections within 60 days. It highlights the severe environmental impact of forest cover loss, mining in fragile terrains, and climate change as significant contributors to the disaster.
Scientists from Kerala and beyond have pointed to these factors as a deadly mix leading to the recent catastrophe.
The notification proposes to declare 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala, covering 13 villages in two talukas of the landslide-hit district, as ecologically sensitive.
These villages include Periya, Thirunelli, Thondernad, Thrissilery, Kidanganad, and Noolpuzha in Mananthavady taluka, and Achooranam, Chundel, Kottappadi, Kunnathidavaka, Pozhuthana, Thariyod, and Vellarimala in Vythiri taluka. Interestingly, the villages most affected by the July 30 landslides—Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala—are not included in this draft.
The overall ESA proposal spans 56,825.7 sq km across six states: Gujarat (449 sq km), Maharashtra (17,340 sq km), Goa (1,461 sq km), Karnataka (20,668 sq km), Tamil Nadu (6,914 sq km), and Kerala (9,993.7 sq km).
An official from the environment ministry stated that the latest draft is more detailed but does not significantly change the total area under consideration.
"We are hopeful that it will finally be notified," the official added.
Since March 10, 2014, the environment ministry has issued six draft notifications, including the latest one, but the final notification is still pending due to objections from various states.
The fresh draft notification is the result of an expert panel set up in April 2022 to address objections and find a breakthrough. This panel has held nine meetings since July 2022, considering comments and suggestions from the states involved.
"The committee is addressing issues raised by the states in the Western Ghats region on discrepancies or information gaps in the draft notification dated July 6, 2022, concerning the correct names and areas of villages to be included in the ecologically sensitive area. The committee is also examining the suggestions received from the state governments," the draft notification reads.
The proposed measures include a complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining, with existing mines to be phased out within five years or upon the expiry of their current leases, whichever comes first.
New thermal power projects are prohibited, although existing ones may continue to operate without expansion. Additionally, all 'Red' category industries, classified as highly polluting by the pollution control boards, and their expansion, will be banned.
Large-scale construction projects and townships are also proposed to be prohibited, with exceptions only for the repair and renovation of existing buildings.
The Centre's efforts to protect the Western Ghats began in 2010 with the formation of the "Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel" under ecologist Madhav Gadgil.
The panel was tasked with studying the impact of population pressure, climate change, and development activities on the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2012.
In 2011, the panel recommended declaring the entire hill range an ESA, divided into three Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ 1, 2, and 3) based on their eco-sensitivity.
It advised a ban on mining, quarrying, new thermal power plants, hydropower projects, and large-scale wind energy projects in ESZ 1.
However, these recommendations faced resistance from state governments, industries, and local communities.
In response, the Centre formed a High-Level Working Group in 2013 under rocket scientist K Kasturirangan to study and recommend measures for the Western Ghats' ecological protection and sustainable development.
This group identified 37 per cent of the Western Ghats, covering 59,940 square kilometres, as ecologically sensitive.
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