Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area notification

Western Ghats: What is the ESA plan for conservation - Indian Express

The Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area notification has returned to focus as its validity is set to expire in July 2026, while six concerned states continue to oppose the finalisation of ESA boundaries. The issue highlights the ongoing conflict between biodiversity conservation and developmental priorities. 

What are the Western Ghats and Why Do They Matter?

The Western Ghats are a nearly continuous mountain range extending about 1,500 km along India’s western coast. They are regarded as one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biodiversity and are home to several endemic species of plants and animals.

The Western Ghats extend across six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu 

Their significance is not limited to biodiversity alone. The Western Ghats are also hydrologically crucial as they intercept moisture-laden monsoon winds and cause heavy rainfall along the western coast. This rainfall feeds major peninsular rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and Periyar, which support millions of people.

Unlike many protected ecosystems, the Western Ghats are also densely populated and economically active. The region supports plantation and cash-crop economies, including pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, coffee, mango and jackfruit.

Gadgil vs Kasturirangan Panels

• Gadgil Panel, 2011- The Madhav Gadgil Panel recommended declaring the entire 1,29,037 sq km Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). It proposed strict restrictions on development activities. However, states and local communities opposed it as being too restrictive.
• Kasturirangan Panel, 2013- The Kasturirangan Panel adopted a more balanced approach. It identified the Western Ghats’ total area as 1,64,280 sq km, of which 60% was cultural landscape under human use and 40% around 60,000 sq km was natural landscape. It recommended notifying only this natural landscape as ESA and banning highly damaging activities like mining, quarrying and polluting industries.

Why are States Opposing the Western Ghats ESA?

• State governments are opposing the Western Ghats ESA notification mainly due to economic and livelihood concerns. They fear that ESA status will restrict activities such as mining, quarrying, industries and large-scale construction, affecting local development and employment.
• Karnataka has shown the strongest resistance and has rejected the Kasturirangan Panel recommendations. 
• Kerala wants to reduce its notified ESA area, especially by excluding plantation and agricultural villages in Idukki and the Cardamom Hills. Maharashtra has also sought exclusion of several villages, citing the presence of industries, mining and their distance from core sensitive zones.
• Other states such as Goa, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have also raised objections, but the sharpest disagreements remain in Karnataka and Kerala.

The Western Ghats are not merely a mountain range but a critical ecological, climatic and hydrological asset for India. Their rich biodiversity, role in monsoon rainfall, and contribution to major peninsular rivers make them essential for both environmental stability and human livelihoods. However, the region is also densely inhabited and economically active, making conservation a complex governance challenge. Therefore, protection of the Western Ghats must follow a balanced approach that safeguards fragile ecosystems while addressing the livelihood concerns of local communities through participatory and sustainable development.