Current Status of the Western Ghats ESA Notification
The Western Ghats span six coastal states. To safeguard this biodiversity, the government has been working on declaring large parts as ESA. The process, started in 2010, has faced strong resistance from several states, especially Karnataka.
Key Developments (Chronology)
- 2010: WGEEP recommends 142 talukas in 44 districts as ESA, split into three zones.
- 2012: Central government forms a high‑level group led by Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan. The group trims the protected area to 37% of the range.
- 2014: MoEF&CC issues the first draft ESA notification.
- 2022: An expert panel headed by former Director General of Forests Sanjay Kumar is formed.
- 2024: Draft notification includes a clause for a "phased rollout" or "state‑wise finalisation".
- July 2026: After five draft notifications (2015‑2026) and no consensus, the expert panel’s tenure is extended by one year.
Important Facts
- Karnataka has 10 districts in the Ghats, covering 20,668 km² and housing 23.4% of the state’s population.
- Local studies show villages near protected sites (Kali Tiger Reserve, Kudremukh NP, etc.) fear eviction and loss of forest‑produce rights.
- Stakeholders argue that satellite‑based ESA mapping cannot differentiate plantation crops (arecanut, coffee, rubber, coconut) from natural forest.
- Gujarat and Goa appear ready to accept the final ESA notification; Maharashtra seeks a fresh review; Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka remain in negotiations.
Exam Relevance
The ESA debate touches on several UPSC syllabus areas: environmental governance (GS4), the role of central‑state relations in policy implementation (GS2), and the importance of indigenous rights in conservation (GS4 & GS5). Understanding the legal basis – the Environment Protection Act, 1986 – is essential for answering questions on environmental law.
Way Forward
- Adopt a participatory approach: set up on‑ground committees that include tribal representatives and local NGOs.
- Use a hybrid mapping method combining satellite data with field verification to address plantation‑forest confusion.
- Offer transparent rehabilitation and livelihood‑support packages to affected communities, ensuring compliance with the Forest Rights Act.
- Implement the phased rollout, starting with states that have consent, while continuing dialogue with dissenting states.
Balancing ecological protection with livelihood security is crucial. A well‑designed ESA can preserve the Western Ghats’ biodiversity while respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and maintaining cooperative federalism.