Western Ghats as Eco-sensitive Area (ESA)

Government recently reissued draft notification to declare over 56,000 sq km of Western Ghats as Eco-sensitive Area (ESA).

Key Features of the Draft Notification:

• The Central government issued a sixth draft notification declaring 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in six states.
• These include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• This notification follows a previous draft, which lapsed due to a lack of consensus between the Centre and the states on the extent of ESA.
• The proposed ESA areas are distributed as follows:
  • Gujarat: 449 sq km
  • Maharashtra: 17,340 sq km
  • Goa: 1,461 sq km
  • Karnataka: 20,668 sq km
  • Tamil Nadu: 6,914 sq km
  • Kerala: 9,993.7 sq km
• It provided a 60-day window for submitting objections and suggestions on the draft notification.
• The draft notification process began in 2014 based on recommendations from the High-Level Working Group (HLWG), formed in 2012.
• It was led by space scientist Dr. K Kasturirangan, which reviewed a report by the Madhav Gadgil-led expert committee on ESAs.
• Earlier, another panel to re-examine suggestions by state governments, based on areas like conservation, disaster-prone ecosystems, developmental needs and rights of the region.

About Eco-sensitive Area (ESA):

• It is a designated region that requires special protection due to its significant ecological and environmental value.
• These areas are identified based on their rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems, and the presence of endangered or endemic species.
• The purpose of designating ESAs is to conserve biodiversity, maintain ecological balance, and prevent environmental degradation caused by developmental activities.

Key Features of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs):

• ESAs are crucial for the conservation of biodiversity, including flora and fauna that are endemic or endangered.
• In ESAs, certain human activities are regulated or restricted to minimize environmental impact.
• This includes restrictions on industrial activities, mining, deforestation, and other activities that can harm the ecosystem.
• The goal of ESAs is to ensure that development within these areas is sustainable and does not compromise the ecological integrity of the region.
• Activities like sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and traditional livelihoods are encouraged.
• The designation is based on recommendations from expert committees and is formalized through notifications by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Local communities living in and around ESAs often play a crucial role in the conservation efforts.
  • Their traditional knowledge and practices are integrated into conservation strategies to ensure the protection of these areas.
• Continuous monitoring and management are essential to ensure the protection of ESAs.
• This involves collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and environmental organizations.

Examples of ESAs in India:

• Western Ghats: One of the most well-known ESAs, the Western Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot that spans multiple states. It is home to a wide variety of species and unique ecosystems.
• Himalayan Region: Certain parts of the Himalayan region have been designated as ESAs to protect their fragile ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: These islands are recognized for their unique biodiversity and are protected as ESAs to prevent ecological degradation.

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