Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area: New Draft Notification Unveiled

The Centre has issued a new draft notification to declare over 56,800 sq km of the Western Ghats across six states as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). The notification includes 13 landslide-hit villages in Kerala. It proposes a ban on mining, quarrying, new thermal power projects, and highly polluting industries.

The Centre has launched a fresh draft notification to designate over 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats across six states as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). This includes 13 villages in Kerala's Wayanad district, which recently faced devastating landslides resulting in over 300 fatalities.

According to scientists, the landslides were triggered by a combination of deforestation, mining activities, and climate change. The proposed notification aims to declare 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala, covering 13 villages in two talukas of the landslide-affected district, as ecologically sensitive.

The draft also includes 449 sq km in Gujarat, 17,340 sq km in Maharashtra, 1,461 sq km in Goa, 20,668 sq km in Karnataka, and 6,914 sq km in Tamil Nadu. The directive plans a complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining, with existing operations to be phased out within five years. New thermal power projects and expansions of 'Red' category highly polluting industries will also be prohibited.