Kochi: A centre sponsored panel has issued a draft notification to declare over 56,800 sq kms in the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), media reports said.
Six states, including 13 villages in Kerala’s Wayanad, are included Ecologically Sensitive. Area (ESA). The move comes in the backdrop of devastating landslides claiming over 300 lives in Wayanad on July 30.
The notification was issued on July 31.
Suggestions and objections have been invited on the draft notification within 60 days to arrive at a consensus among Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat.
A five member panel formed in 2022 prepared the draft.
The Western Ghats, which is one of the eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A total of 449 sq km is in Gujarat, 17,340 sq km in Maharashtra, 1,461 sq km in Goa, 20,668 sq km in Karnataka, 6,914 sq km in Tamil Nadu, and 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala.
It also suggests a complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining.
Similarly, in 2011, the ecologist Madhav Gadgil committee recommended conservation and prevention measures for the Western Ghats. Due to protests, it was diluted by Kasturirangan committee in 2013.
The Gadgil committee recommended that 64 per cent of the Western Ghats be designated as eco-sensitive areas, while the Dr. The Kasturirangan committee reduced this to 37 per cent.
Photo credit: Facebook
