Centre Moves to Protect Western Ghats, Designates 56,825 sq km as Ecologically Sensitive Area

The Centre has proposed a draft to declare 56,825 sq km of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) following severe landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district. The draft, open for public feedback, aims to restrict activities that might harm the ecosystem, including mining and thermal power projects.

Following severe landslides in Kerala's Wayanad district, the Centre has released a draft notification proposing to designate 56,825 square kilometres of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA). The proposed ESA covers 9,993 square kilometres in Kerala, including 13 villages in Wayanad district, such as Noolpuzha, which was impacted by landslides on July 30.

The affected villages include Periya, Thirunelli, Thondernad, Thrissilery, Kidanganad, and Noolpuzha in Mananthavady taluka, and Achooranam, Chundel, Kottappadi, Kunnathidavaka, Pozhuthana, Thariyod, and Vellarimala in Vythiri taluka. The recent landslides also affected Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala villages, which are not listed in the draft notification.

The death toll from these landslides reached 344 as of Saturday, with many people still missing and around 200 injured. The latest draft, issued on July 31, 2024, allows a 60-day period for public comments before finalizing the notification.

Since March 10, 2014, the environment ministry has issued six drafts, including the latest one, but final notifications remain pending due to state objections. The ministry stated that the proposal would be considered for final publication after the 60-day feedback period.

The Western Ghats, recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, stretch over roughly 1,500 kilometers from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu across six states. The draft notification from the MoEFCC, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and its Rules, proposes several key measures to safeguard this ecologically sensitive area.

The draft specifically bans mining activities, thermal power projects, and new 'Red' category industries within the designated ESA. It also sets conditions for hydropower projects and promotes sustainable development practices.

A significant aspect of the draft is the demarcation of 59,940 square kilometres, about 37 percent of the Western Ghats, as ESA. The MoEFCC is consulting state governments and stakeholders to fine-tune the boundaries and provisions of the ESA. The ministry has assured that no local residents will be displaced and existing agricultural and plantation activities will not be affected.

The draft also proposes a strong monitoring system involving state governments, pollution control boards, and a Decision Support and Monitoring Centre. (ANI)