India's Western Ghats: Eco-Sensitive Zone Fight Continues

The Western Ghats, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot spanning six Indian states, is at the center of an ongoing dispute regarding its declaration as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).

Initially proposed in 2010, the plan faced significant local and political opposition, leading to revisions. A 2012 working group reduced the restricted area to 37% of the Ghats. Despite draft notifications issued between 2015 and July 2026, consensus remains elusive, with some states like Gujarat and Goa nearing agreement while Maharashtra seeks further review.

In Karnataka, which hosts a significant population and area within the Ghats, consistent opposition persists due to potential impacts on agriculture, mining, and infrastructure. Studies in the region reveal local concerns over land use restrictions, rehabilitation packages, and the unreliability of satellite imagery for defining sensitive zones, as communities feel their villages have not been physically assessed.

The central government emphasizes the need for timely conservation, noting that ecological systems transcend administrative borders. Future plans aim to integrate indigenous communities, who naturally follow conservation principles, to safeguard biocultural diversity and maintain a sustainable relationship with the environment.