On 24 September 2026, Kerala submitted a fresh set of recommendations to the Union government asking that the ESA in the state’s Western Ghats be restricted only to forest lands covering 8,590.69 sq km.
Key Developments
- Kerala’s Special Secretary M.G. Rajamanickam formally placed the state’s recommendations before the Centre.
- Sunny Joseph, Minister for Electricity and Environment, announced that the UDF will move a resolution in the State Assembly to limit ESA to forest areas only.
- The proposal seeks to reduce the ESA from 9,993.7 sq km to 8,590.69 sq km and cut the number of affected villages from 131 to 98, excluding specific villages in Idukki, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Wayanad and Palakkad.
- If required, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will lead a delegation to New Delhi to press for a final, non‑draft notification.
Important Facts
The 2013 K. Kasturirangan Committee initially earmarked 13,108 sq km covering 123 villages. Massive protests led to a revised draft by the Oommen V. Oommen committee, which cut the area to 9,993.7 sq km (9,107 sq km forest, 886.7 sq km non‑forest). Subsequent drafts, including the seventh draft dated 27 July 2026, have not accepted Kerala’s request to further limit the ESA.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the ESA debate is crucial for GS‑III (Environment) and GS‑II (Polity). It illustrates the interplay between central environmental legislation and state‑level development priorities. The case also highlights federalism challenges, stakeholder consultations (farmers, local bodies), and the role of expert committees in policy formulation.
Way Forward
Kerala plans to:
- Pass a resolution in the State Assembly demanding a final ESA notification limited to forest areas.
- Send a high‑level delegation, possibly led by the Chief Minister, to negotiate with the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
- Continue engaging local stakeholders to ensure that any final ESA map balances ecological protection with agricultural and livelihood concerns.