EnvironmentGS-III· 1 min read
Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) Draft Notification in Western Ghats
Why in news?
Settler families in the high ranges of Kottayam, Kerala, are mobilising against the Centre's proposed draft notification on Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats.
Key points
- The draft notification includes four villages in Kottayam's high ranges in the proposed ESA map.
- Residents fear restrictions on plantations (rubber, cardamom, coffee) and development activities.
- Around 70,000 people are estimated to be affected by the proposal.
- Local bodies, organizations, and residents are campaigning for exclusion from ESA limits.
- There is a 60-day window for filing objections and suggestions.
Background & context
The Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ESAs are areas that need to be protected due to their ecological significance, often leading to restrictions on land use and development. Previous notifications have faced similar opposition.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The draft notification was issued on July 27, and affected communities have a 60-day window to file objections.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper III: Environment and Ecology; Conservation, Environmental Impact Assessment.