Kerala Government's Eco-Sensitivity Ignorance Triggers Massive Landslides

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav attributed the devastating landslides in Wayanad to the Kerala government's allowance of illegal habitat expansion and mining. He emphasized the urgency for consultation on eco-sensitive zones in the Western Ghats. The Environment Ministry has been issuing draft notifications since 2014, which remain pending amid state objections.

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has pinpointed the Kerala government's endorsement of illegal human habitat expansion and mining activities in fragile regions as the primary cause of the devastating landslides in Wayanad district.

In an interview with PTI Video, Yadav called for expedited consultations with states to finalize the eco-sensitive zone notifications for the Western Ghats. The Environment Ministry has released six draft notifications since March 2014 to classify over 56,800 square kilometers across six states as eco-sensitive. However, formal notification has faced delays due to state-level objections.

Yadav emphasized that the onus is on both central and state authorities to prevent such environmental disasters. Last week, following a series of fatal landslides, the central government issued another draft notification proposing 9,993.7 square kilometers in Kerala as an Ecologically Sensitive Area, inviting public feedback within 60 days.