In July 2022, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issued a draft notification on the western ghats as an ECZ to protect the rich biodiversity.
About Western Ghat
- It spread across 6 states namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu.
- In 2011, Gadgil panel had recommended that the whole Western Ghats should be declared as “Ecologically Sensitive Area” because of its dense forests and the presence of a large number of endemic species.
- A second panel led by Kasturirangan reviewed the Gadgil report.
- The Central Government issued a draft notification for declaring the Western Ghats Eco-sensitive Area, following the panel's recommendations.
Draft Notification, 2022
- Regulation of Human activities
- Activities Restricted: Mining, quarrying and sand mining, ‘Red’ category industries, New thermal power projects etc.
- Regulated: Hydropower project etc.
- Unrestricted: All existing healthcare establishments, agriculture & plantation activity etc.
- Decision Support & Monitoring Centre for Western Ghats: To assess and report on status of ecology of Western Ghats.
Issues
- Draft notification could harm local residents' livelihoods and development activities.
- States claim no scientific survey determined the ESA's size before the draft was issued.
Eco-Sensitive Zones
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