National Green Tribunal asks MoEFCC to finalise deadline for declaring western ghats an eco-sensitive zone

Posted 02 Aug 2024

2 min read

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

National Environment Policy (2006) defined the Eco-Sensitive Zones “as areas/zones with identified environmental resources having incomparable values which require special attention for their conservation” because of its landscape, wildlife, biodiversity, historical and natural values.
As per the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016), Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are regions located within 10 km of protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
- ESAs are notified and regulated by the MoEFCC under the Environment Protection Act, 1986