Centre notifies 7th draft for ecological zones in Western Ghats
Source Entity
VISHWA MOHAN
The Union Environment Ministry has issued its seventh draft notification to declare 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area. This move faces persistent opposition from six states concerned about the impact on local livelihoods, infrastructure, and development.
The Western Ghats Deadlock: A Decade of Regulatory Stagnation
The Union Environment Ministry has reissued its draft notification to designate 56,825.7 square kilometers of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). This marks the seventh attempt in over a decade to finalize a regulatory framework for this critical biodiversity hotspot. The repeated lapse of these drafts highlights a deep-seated administrative and political deadlock between the central government and the six states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
The Scope of the Proposed ESA
The proposed ESA is vast, encompassing nearly 57,000 square kilometers of terrain. The distribution of this area reflects the diverse geography of the Western Ghats, with Karnataka bearing the largest portion at 20,668 sq km, followed by Maharashtra at 17,340 sq km, Kerala at 9,993.7 sq km, Tamil Nadu at 6,914 sq km, Goa at 1,461 sq km, and Gujarat at 449 sq km. The objective of this notification is to impose strict prohibitions on environmentally hazardous activities, including large-scale mining, quarrying, sand mining, and the establishment of new thermal power plants.
The Conflict Between Conservation and Development
At the heart of the ongoing resistance from the state governments is the concern over the socioeconomic impact of these regulations. State authorities, particularly Kerala, have consistently raised objections, arguing that the restrictive nature of the ESA could stifle regional development, hinder essential infrastructure projects, and negatively impact the livelihoods of local communities residing within these zones. While the Centre seeks to safeguard the fragile ecosystem of the 1,500-km-long mountain range, states are wary of the potential for broad, top-down mandates to disrupt local economies.
Historical Context and Regulatory Failure
Since 2011, and following formal processes starting in 2014, the Centre has attempted to institutionalize protection for the Western Ghats. The current situation—where a notification lapses and must be reissued—is not a new phenomenon; it is a recurring cycle of negotiation and non-consensus. This cycle underscores the difficulty in balancing national environmental goals with the localized political and economic imperatives of state-level governance.
Implications of the Seventh Draft
The seventh draft, issued on July 27, 2026, provides a 60-day window for public objections. This period is critical, as it offers a final opportunity for stakeholders to voice their concerns before the Centre moves toward a final notification. The inclusion of phased implementation strategies in this latest iteration may be an attempt by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to mitigate state-level resistance and create a more palatable pathway to enforcement.
Future Outlook
If the deadlock persists, the future of the Western Ghats remains uncertain. The continued inability to finalize the ESA leaves the region vulnerable to unregulated land-use changes. Moving forward, the success of this initiative will depend on the Centre's ability to reconcile the necessity of ecological preservation with the legitimate development aspirations of the six affected states. Without a collaborative resolution, the Western Ghats will likely remain in a state of regulatory limbo, trapped between the urgent need for environmental protection and the pressures of regional development.