States Reluctant to Support Despite Centre’s Efforts
NEW DELHI (India CSR): The Centre on Friday released the sixth draft notification proposing to earmark 56,825 sq km as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) to prohibit or regulate environmentally hazardous human activities within the fragile Western Ghats, spread over six states.
Initial Provisions and State-Wise Notification Facility
For the first time, the draft includes a provision that allows the final ESA notification to be taken up “in a phased manner either state-wise or through a combined single notification.” This move aims to expedite the process without waiting for all six states to come on board simultaneously. However, states have shown little interest in the proposal.
Proposed ESA Includes 13 Villages in Kerala
The proposed ESA includes 9,993 sq km in Kerala, covering 13 villages in two talukas of Wayanad district, including Noolpuzha, which was hit by landslides on July 30.
No Impact on Farming, Draft Notification
The draft notification clarifies that agriculture, plantations, and low-polluting activities will not be affected by ESA provisions. The actual area will be finalized based on state recommendations.
Detailed Draft Information
In 2011, a central panel headed by ecologist Madhav Gadgil recommended that the government prioritize the conservation of the fragile terrain across six states. Since then, action on this recommendation has been pending.
Following the landslide tragedy, the Ministry of Environment released this draft seeking objections and suggestions. The final notification is expected to be published within 60 days of the gazette’s release.
Comprehensive Draft: Prohibited and Regulated Activities
The draft proposes a complete ban on mining, quarrying, sand mining, and high-polluting industries. All existing mines are to be phased out within five years of the final notification or upon the expiry of existing mining leases, whichever comes first.
Additionally, the draft prohibits the establishment of new thermal power projects and the expansion of existing power plants within the ESA. Construction projects of 20,000 sq m and above, and all new and expansion townships and development projects with an area of 50 hectares and above or a built-up area of 1.5 lakh sq m and above will also be prohibited after the final notification.
Need for the Sixth Draft
The first draft notification to earmark ESA was issued in March 2014, but it remained on paper. Subsequently, four more drafts were issued in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. The Centre and an expert panel discussed the fifth draft with Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu nine times between July 2022 and March 2024, but could not finalize the ESA notification due to state objections.
State Governments’ Objections and Centre’s Response
Initially, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Goa opposed the proposal, followed by Karnataka. In 2022, the Karnataka government even requested the Centre to withdraw the draft notification, arguing that the ESA, covering 20,668 sq km of the state, would adversely affect the livelihood of people.
The draft clearly specifies that agriculture, plantation, and less polluting activities will not be affected by ESA provisions, and the actual area will be finalized based on state recommendations.
(India CSR)
