The Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) has recently found itself the topic of debate, as a Kerala-based NGO for farmers has petitioned the Supreme Court to pronounce the draft notification related to the ESA as unconstitutional. Expressing concern over the proposed implementation of the Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees’ recommendations for conserving the region, the NGO has flagged serious issues.
Background: The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel and Kasturirangan Committee
To counterbalance the preservation of the Western Ghats’ biodiversity and the area’s sustainable and inclusive development, two groups were established: The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, also known as the Gadgil Committee, and the Kasturirangan Committee, a High-Level Working Group. They suggested that specific geographical zones spanning the six states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu should be designated as ESAs. Following this, a draft notification was issued in 2018 detailing the areas to be included in the ESA.
Controversy Around the Draft Notification
The draft notification has proposed declaring 123 agricultural villages in Kerala as ESAs, transforming these semi-urban villages into forests devoid of facilities and roads. This would greatly impact approximately 22 lakh people and potentially devastate Kerala’s economy. Furthermore, the NGO claims that the Centre inaccurately and unfairly labelled the residents of the Western Ghats area as “destroyers of the biodiversity and agents of ecological damage.” It argues that the ESA in Kerala should be limited to reserved forests and protected areas only.
The Gadgil Committee’s Recommendations
The Gadgil Committee proposed that the entirety of the Western Ghats should be designated as the ESA, with limited development permitted within designated zones. The committee divided the Western Ghats into three ESAs: ESA-1 being the high priority zone where nearly all developmental activities such as mining and thermal power plants should be strictly limited. A proposed Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) would oversee these regulations. However, its recommendations were criticised for being overly environmentally focused and out of touch with existing conditions.
The Kasturirangan Committee’s Approach
The Kasturirangan Committee proposed a different approach, aiming to strike a balance between development and environmental protection. They recommended that instead of declaring the entire Western Ghats as ESA, only 37% of the total area should receive this status. Among its propositions were a complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining in the ESA, strict restrictions on highly polluting industries, and the exclusion of inhabited regions and plantations from ESAs.
What are Ecologically Sensitive Areas?
Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas are located within 10 km of Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. They are notified by the MoEFCC under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, with the aim to control certain activities around these areas to minimise adverse effects on the ecosystem.
Looking Ahead: Balancing Development and Conservation
The debate over the Western Ghats revolves around ‘Development versus Conservation’. The central question is how to encourage sustainable development without causing irreversible damage to the environment. Resolving the issue calls for accurate scientific analysis, consensus amongst stakeholders, and strategies that address both threats to forest land and the needs of local populations. This matter requires urgent attention, as any delay could further endanger this rich natural resource of the country.
