Kerala’s Forest-Focused Western Ghats ESA

WESTERN GHATS ECO-SENSITIVE AREAS: KERALA’S DEMAND FOR A FOREST-FOCUSED ESA

Why in the News?

The Kerala government has urged the Centre to limit the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in its Western Ghats region to 8,590.69 sq. km of forest areas, excluding populated areas, farmlands and plantations. The State argues that its dense population, extensive forest cover and livelihood dependence require a more targeted approach to ecological regulation.

Kerala’s Forest-Focused Western Ghats ESA

KERALA’S ESA DEMAND AND THE KASTURIRANGAN RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Area Reduction: Kerala has proposed reducing its Western Ghats ESA from the Centre’s draft 9,993.7 sq. km to 8,590.69 sq. km, along with reducing covered villages from 123 to 98.
  • Forest Focus: The State wants the ESA to primarily cover forest regions, arguing that populated settlements, agricultural land and plantations should remain outside the notified area.
  • Kasturirangan Report: The Kasturirangan Committee had proposed an ESA covering 13,108 sq. km across 123 villages in Kerala in 2013, triggering significant local opposition.
  • Draft Notifications: The Union government subsequently issued multiple draft notifications, reducing the proposed area after considering State-level concerns and further studies.
  • Final Notification: Kerala is seeking an early final ESA notification, noting that notifications issued since 2014 and up to July 2026 have remained at the draft stage.

WESTERN GHATS CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL CONCERNS

  • Population Pressure: Kerala’s relatively small geographical area combined with high population density makes the socio-economic consequences of extensive environmental restrictions particularly significant.
  • Forest Cover: Around 15% of Kerala’s geographical area is under forest cover, providing substantial ecological value while simultaneously creating challenges for balancing conservation and development.
  • Livelihood Dependence: Restrictions covering inhabited areas could affect agriculture, plantations, housing and local economic activities, making community participation important for effective conservation.
  • Regulatory Overlap: The State argues that additional ESA restrictions could overlap with existing laws governing forests, environment, paddy fields and wetlands, potentially increasing regulatory complexity.
  • Conservation Balance: The debate reflects the broader challenge of reconciling ecological protection of biodiversity-rich landscapes with the developmental and livelihood requirements of communities residing within them.

WESTERN GHATS AND ECO-SENSITIVE AREAS

●      Western Ghats: The Western Ghats are a globally significant biodiversity region extending along India’s western peninsular margin and encompassing parts of six States.

●      Biodiversity Hotspot: The region is recognised as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, with high levels of endemic species and considerable ecological importance.

●      ESA Concept: An Ecologically Sensitive Area is a region where specified developmental activities may be regulated or restricted because of its ecological vulnerability and conservation significance.

●      Gadgil Committee: The Gadgil Committee recommended a comprehensive approach covering the entire Western Ghats through different levels of ecological sensitivity, with stronger restrictions in highly sensitive zones.

●      Kasturirangan Approach: The Kasturirangan Committee adopted a more targeted approach, emphasising protection of ecologically important areas while seeking to reduce the restrictions imposed on densely populated and cultivated landscapes.