Fresh ESA Draft Issued for Western Ghats Post Kerala Landslide Tragedy

The Centre has released a new draft notification to designate over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). This includes 13 villages in Kerala's Wayanad district, which recently experienced devastating landslides. The notification, issued on July 31, invites suggestions and objections within 60 days.

Scientists attribute the landslides in Wayanad to a combination of forest cover loss, mining activities, and climate change. The draft proposes to declare 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala as ecologically sensitive, including specific villages in Mananthavady and Vythiri talukas. These villages are Periya, Thirunelli, Thondernad, Thrissilery, Kidanganad, Noolpuzha, Achooranam, Chundel, Kottappadi, Kunnathidavaka, Pozhuthana, Thariyod and Vellarimala.

Ecologically Sensitive Areas Across States

The notification aims to declare a total of 56,825.7 sq km as ecologically sensitive. This includes 449 sq km in Gujarat, 17,340 sq km in Maharashtra, 1,461 sq km in Goa, 20,668 sq km in Karnataka, 6,914 sq km in Tamil Nadu, and 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala. An official mentioned that the latest draft is more detailed but does not significantly change the total area proposed.

"We are hopeful that it will finally be notified," the official added. The environment ministry has issued six draft notifications since March 10, 2014. However, the final notification is still pending due to objections from various states.

Proposed Restrictions

The draft suggests a complete ban on mining activities such as quarrying and sand mining. Existing mines are to be phased out within five years or upon the expiry of their current leases. New thermal power projects are prohibited while existing ones can continue without expansion.

All Red category industries identified by pollution control boards will be banned from expanding. Large-scale construction projects and townships are also proposed to be prohibited except for repairs and renovations of existing buildings.

Background and Recommendations

In 2010, the Centre formed the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel under ecologist Madhav Gadgil to study the impact of population pressure and development activities on the Western Ghats. The panel recommended declaring the entire hill range as an ESA and dividing it into three Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) based on eco-sensitivity.

The panel suggested banning 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 and local communities.

High-Level Working Group

In response to the resistance faced by Gadgil's recommendations, the Centre formed a High-Level Working Group under rocket scientist K Kasturirangan in 2013. This group identified 37 per cent of the Western Ghats covering 59,940 square kilometres as ecologically sensitive.

The fresh draft notification mentions that an expert panel set up in April 2022 has held nine meetings since July 2022. Various objections and suggestions from states have been received and are being addressed by this committee.

The committee is examining issues raised by states regarding discrepancies or information gaps in the previous draft notification dated July 6, 2022. They are also reviewing suggestions from state governments on correct names and areas of villages to be included in the ESA.

The Western Ghats were declared a global biodiversity hotspot and a world heritage site by UNESCO in July 2012. The region's ecological sensitivity necessitates careful consideration of development activities to preserve its unique biodiversity.

The recent landslides highlight the urgent need for sustainable development practices in ecologically sensitive areas like Wayanad. The Centre's draft notification aims to balance ecological protection with developmental needs across six states.