Govt prepares to notify Western Ghats eco-sensitive areas in at least three states
The Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) notification touches upon biodiversity conservation, federalism (Centre-State tensions), and environmental governance — all core GS III and GS II themes. The 12-year delay and partial state-wise rollout raises questions about cooperative federalism and environmental regulation. This also aligns with the Kasturirangan Committee report, a staple UPSC reference.
Key facts
- Proposed ESAs cover over 56,000 sq km across six states: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat.
- Centre issued the first draft ESA notification in 2014; the notification has been pending for over 12 years.
- Govt now preparing to notify ESAs in at least three states first, suggesting a phased approach.
- Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots.
- Kasturirangan Committee (2013) recommended ~37% of Western Ghats (around 60,000 sq km) be declared ESA.
- ESA designation restricts activities like mining, quarrying, and large construction to protect fragile ecosystems.
- 6,914 sq km to be demarcated as ESA in Tamil Nadu
- Environment Protection Act, 1986
The proposed ESAs cover over 56,000 square km of land in six states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. The notification has been pending for over 12 years, with the Centre issuing the first draft notification in 2014.
Concepts to know
Areas notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 around protected zones where certain industrial/developmental activities are regulated or prohibited to safeguard biodiversity and ecology.
The umbrella legislation empowering the central government to take measures for environmental protection including restricting construction in sensitive zones. Violations of this act in Pahalgam's hotel construction are at the centre of the controversy.
Committee headed by space scientist K. Kasturirangan, which in 2013 recommended designating ~60,000 sq km of the Western Ghats as ESA, forming the basis of the current draft notification.
A mountain range along India's western coast recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's major biodiversity hotspots, home to numerous endemic species.
The principle of collaborative governance between Centre and States; opposition by Kerala and Tamil Nadu to a central amendment reflects tensions in this relationship, especially when states have their own food security programmes beyond NFSA.
A biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity under threat from human activities; Western Ghats is one of 36 globally recognized hotspots identified by Conservation International.
Linked previous-year questions
The UPSC questions this story connects to.
With reference to 'Eco-Sensitive Zones', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- a.1 only
- b.2 only
- c.Both 1 and 2
- d.Neither 1 nor 2 ✓
Environment · UPSC 2014Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats-Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity: 1. Species richness 2. Vegetation density 3. Endemism 4. Ethno-botanical importance 5. Threat perception 6. Adaptation of flora and fauna to warm and humid conditions Which three of the above are correct criteria in this context? (a) 1, 2 and 6 (b) 2, 4 and 6 (c) 1, 3 and 5 (d) 3, 4 and 6
- a.1, 2 and 6
- b.2, 4 and 6
- c.1, 3 and 5 ✓
- d.3, 4 and 6
Environment · UPSC 2011Consider the following statements regarding environmental issues in India : (a) Gulf of Mannar is one of the biosphere reserves (b) The Ganga Action Plan, phase II has been merged with the National River Conservation Plan. (c) The National Museum of Natural History at New Delhi imparts non-formal education in environment and conservation. (d) Environmental Information System (ENVIS) acts as a decentralized information network for environment information. Which of these statements are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 4 (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1, 3 and 4
- a.1, 2 and 4
- b.1, 2, 3 and 4 ✓
- c.2 and 3
- d.1, 3 and 4
Environment · UPSC 2001Consider the following statements: 1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India. 2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention. 3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 and 2 only
- b.2 and 3 only
- c.3 only ✓
- d.1, 2 and 3
Environment · UPSC 2019Match List I (National Park/Sanctuary) with List II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: List-I --- List-II A. Kanger Ghati National Park --- 1. Chhattisgarh B. Nagerhole National Park --- 2. Haryana C. Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary --- 3. Himachal Pradesh D. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary --- 4. Karnataka (a) A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4 (b) A-1; B-4; C-3; D-2 (c) A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2 (d) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
- a.A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4
- b.A-1; B-4; C-3; D-2 ✓
- c.A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2
- d.A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
Geography · UPSC 2004Match List I (National Park/Sanctuary) with List II (State) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: List-I List-II A. Kanger Ghati National Park 1. Chhattisgarh B. Nagerhole National Park 2. Haryana C. Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary 3. Himachal Pradesh D. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary 4. Karnataka (a) A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4 (b) A-1; B-4; C-3; D-2 (c) A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2 (d) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
- a.A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4
- b.A-1; B-4; C-3; D-2 ✓
- c.A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2
- d.A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4
Geography · UPSC 2004
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