Kerala Revises Proposal for Western Ghats ESAs

In November 2024, the Kerala government submitted a revised proposal to the Centre, requesting the declaration of 8,590.69 sq km across 98 villages and 12 districts as Ecologically Sensitive Areas in the Western Ghats.

Key Points

Revised ESA Demarcation: The proposed ESA area is 121 sq km smaller than the May 2024 draft, following feedback from local authorities.
Disaster Concerns: Recent landslides and mudslides in Wayanad district, which claimed over 400 lives, have intensified discussions on protecting fragile villages in the Western Ghats.
Central Response: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav confirmed receipt of the revised proposal and noted that an expert committee is reviewing state suggestions on ESA demarcation.
Western Ghats ESA Notification: The Centre's sixth draft notification in July marked 56,825 sq km as ESA across six states, including Kerala, with restrictions on mining, polluting industries, and thermal power projects.
Goa Submissions under Review: A central committee is also considering Goa's request to exclude 21 villages from its ESA demarcation.
Historical Context: Kerala initially proposed 9,993.7 sq km as ESA in 2013 but later reduced it to 8,656 sq km in 2019, though the Centre's drafts continued to mark the larger area as eco-sensitive.