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Western Ghats Protection: A Decade-Long Stalemate
23 Jun
Summary
- Ecological sensitive area demarcation has been pending for over a decade.
- Six Indian states have raised objections to protection regulations.
- A new expert committee seeks consensus on the Ghats' conservation.
The demarcation of an ecologically sensitive area (ESA) within India's Western Ghats, a crucial mountain chain and biodiversity hotspot, has been pending for over a decade. Six states—Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu—have raised objections to conservation and sustainable development plans. The latest draft notification, valid until July 2026, proposes a phased or state-wise declaration to expedite the process.
Previous expert panels, led by Madhav Gadgil and K Kasturirangan, identified vast areas for protection, but state concerns over restrictions on industries and land use led to delays. A fresh expert committee, formed in 2022, is re-examining objections, reconciling village-level data, and considering financial incentives for states to protect the Ghats. However, consensus remains elusive, particularly with Kerala and Karnataka, where states propose further reductions to the proposed ESA.
The Western Ghats are vital for India's monsoon patterns and are a source of numerous rivers. Despite their ecological importance and unique biodiversity, the region is densely populated and faces challenges balancing conservation with economic activities like plantations and agriculture. Civil society protests in several states highlight the growing demand for stronger protection measures.
