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The Union government has issued the seventh draft notification proposing eco-sensitive areas in the Western Ghats, extending the consultation process after several states raised concerns over the extent of protected regions and restrictions on development activities. The draft seeks to regulate environmentally sensitive activities while balancing conservation and livelihoods across the ecologically significant mountain range. States have been invited to submit their feedback before the notification is finalised.
The Union government has released the seventh draft notification for declaring eco-sensitive areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, reopening consultations with the six states through which the mountain range passes. The latest notification aims to move forward with one of India's longest-running environmental policy initiatives while addressing concerns raised by state governments and local communities.
The Western Ghats, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, stretches across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The proposed eco-sensitive zones are intended to safeguard forests, wildlife habitats and water resources by regulating activities that could have a significant environmental impact.
Under the latest draft, the Centre has once again invited comments and objections from state governments, local authorities and the public before issuing a final notification. The proposal follows years of discussions during which several states sought modifications to the boundaries of the eco-sensitive areas, citing concerns over livelihoods, infrastructure development and existing human settlements.
The notification does not prohibit all economic activity within the proposed eco-sensitive regions. Instead, it seeks to regulate or restrict activities considered environmentally hazardous, such as mining, quarrying and certain categories of polluting industries. At the same time, agriculture, horticulture, plantations and other sustainable livelihood activities are expected to continue under the applicable regulatory framework.
Successive draft notifications have been issued over the years as the Centre attempted to build consensus among stakeholders. Differences have largely centred on the extent of land proposed for protection and the potential impact of restrictions on development projects, infrastructure expansion and local economies. The repeated consultation process reflects the challenge of balancing ecological conservation with the developmental priorities of the affected states.
Environmental experts have consistently highlighted the importance of protecting the Western Ghats, which serve as a major watershed for peninsular India and support numerous rivers, endemic species and forest ecosystems. The region also plays a critical role in maintaining climate resilience, groundwater recharge and biodiversity conservation.
The seventh draft notification represents another effort to arrive at a widely acceptable framework for conserving the Western Ghats while accommodating legitimate developmental needs. Once the consultation period concludes, the Union government will review the responses received before deciding on the final notification governing eco-sensitive areas in the region.
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