Western Ghats ESA: Seventh Draft Faces Pushback
Why in News?
- On 12 October 2026, Down To Earth reported that the seventh draft notification on Ecologically Sensitive Areas in the Western Ghats faces resistance from six States.
- The Union Government issued the draft on 27 July 2026 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It covers 56,825.7 sq km across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Karnataka's legislature unanimously rejected the draft on 22 September 2026, sought a year for physical surveys and asked for a review of boundaries.
- Kerala asked to reduce its area from 9,993.7 sq km to 8,590.69 sq km, excluding inhabited areas, agricultural land and plantations.
- The 60-day objection period has ended, and the expert committee's tenure was extended to July 2027. Six earlier drafts failed to produce a final notification.
Key Terminologies
- Ecologically Sensitive Area
- A zone notified by the Union Government where certain activities are restricted to protect the environment. The draft limits new mining, quarrying, sand mining, thermal power projects and red-category industries.
- Gadgil report
- The report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel led by Madhav Gadgil. It advocated extensive protection based on ecological sensitivity and decentralised decision-making.
- Kasturirangan report
- The report of the high-level working group led by K Kasturirangan. It recommended a narrower approach and identified about 59,940 sq km for protection.
- World Heritage property
- A site on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The Western Ghats were inscribed in 2012 as 39 component parts grouped into 7 clusters.
Key Issues
- Repeated Failure: Six earlier drafts failed to produce a final notification. The seventh, issued on 27 July 2026, now faces objections from six States.
- Area and Restrictions: The draft covers 56,825.7 sq km. Existing mines would be phased out within five years of the final notification or lease expiry, whichever comes first. It orders no land acquisition or evictions and no blanket farming ban.
- Two Expert Views: The Gadgil panel advocated extensive protection, while the Kasturirangan group recommended a narrower approach with about 59,940 sq km. The gap shows the long-running dispute over how much to protect.
- State Objections: Karnataka rejected the draft and asked for a year for surveys. Kerala sought a smaller area, and Maharashtra and Goa asked for changes or exclusions. Tamil Nadu raised questions about boundaries and local land use.
- Heritage Pressure: The IUCN rates the Western Ghats World Heritage property at "significant concern" in its 2025 outlook, finalised on 11 October 2025. It lists mining, infrastructure, urbanisation and fragmentation of corridors among threats.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Clear Limits: The draft restricts new mining, thermal power and red-category industries in sensitive areas, and phases out existing mines within five years.
- Livelihood Safeguards: The draft does not order evictions or acquisition and does not impose a blanket farming ban. Wayanad resident N Badusha said "ESA does not mean evicting people; it means making their lives safer".
- Continuing Process: The expert committee's tenure has been extended to July 2027, so boundaries can still be reviewed through consultation.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- Federal Friction: Six States resist the draft, and Karnataka's legislature rejected it unanimously. A final notification without State agreement may be hard to implement.
- Delay and Risk: Repeated drafts leave the region exposed to the threats the IUCN lists, such as mining and infrastructure, in the meantime.
- Boundary Disputes: Kerala wants 8,590.69 sq km against 9,993.7 sq km, and Karnataka wants new surveys. Disputes over boundaries can stall notification for years.
Key Initiatives
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: The Union Government issued the seventh draft ESA notification under this Act on 27 July 2026 for 56,825.7 sq km in six States.
- Expert Committee: Its tenure has been extended to July 2027 to review boundaries after State objections.
- Gadgil and Kasturirangan Reports: Two expert reports set the options of extensive protection and a narrower approach of about 59,940 sq km.
- UNESCO World Heritage Listing, 2012: The Western Ghats were inscribed under criteria (ix) and (x), as 39 component parts in 7 clusters.
The Union Government has issued the seventh draft notification and the objection period is over. The expert committee's tenure runs to July 2027. The reports reviewed do not state when a final notification is expected or which Ministry is handling the matter.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Hold joint surveys with each State and publish village-wise maps, as Karnataka has asked for physical surveys.
- Settle a boundary rule, such as excluding inhabited areas and farmland as Kerala proposed, before the next draft.
- Fix a deadline for the final notification within the committee's tenure to July 2027.
- Protect wildlife corridors between World Heritage components, as the IUCN outlook calls for.
The seventh draft is a more moderate attempt than earlier ones, but it faces the same federal and boundary problems. It limits mining and heavy industry without evictions or a farming ban, and it keeps the Gadgil and Kasturirangan options in view. Six States still object, and six drafts have already failed. In a Mains answer, credit the balance of ecology and livelihood, then conclude that survey-based boundaries and State consent are needed for a final notification.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area draft of 2026?
The seventh draft notification, issued on 27 July 2026, proposes an Ecologically Sensitive Area of 56,825.7 sq km across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It restricts new mining, quarrying, thermal power projects and red-category industries without ordering evictions.
Why are States opposing the Western Ghats draft?
Karnataka's legislature unanimously rejected the draft on 22 September 2026 and sought a year for physical surveys. Kerala asked to reduce its area to 8,590.69 sq km, Maharashtra and Goa sought changes or exclusions, and Tamil Nadu raised boundary and land-use questions.
What is the difference between the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports?
The Gadgil panel advocated extensive protection based on ecological sensitivity and decentralised decision-making. The Kasturirangan group recommended a narrower approach and identified about 59,940 sq km for protection.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel was led by Madhav Gadgil.
It advocated extensive protection based on ecological sensitivity.
2 The Kasturirangan group recommended the whole Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area.
It recommended a narrower approach, identifying about 59,940 sq km for protection.
3 The Western Ghats were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012.
They were inscribed as 39 component parts in 7 clusters.