Western Ghats: What is the ESA plan for conservation, why states oppose it

📌 Summary:

• The Western Ghats — a ~1,500 km mountain chain along India's west coast — is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, but densely populated and economically important (cash crops)
• A special legal regime for the fragile ecosystem is stalled due to objections from six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
• The Gadgil panel recommended that the entire ~1,29,037 sq km be an ESA with heavy cross-sectoral restrictions; the Kasturirangan panel (2013) took a softer line — 60% "cultural landscape" (human-dominated) excluded, only the 40% (~60,000 sq km) "natural landscape" to be ESA
• The Kasturirangan ESA would ban mining, quarrying, red-category polluting industries, thermal power, and large constructions/townships
• The Centre's March 2014 draft demarcated 56,825 sq km (reduced after Kerala's ground-truthing); six draft notifications have been issued since 2014, the latest on July 31, 2024 (valid till July 2026), now allowing phased, state-wise notification
• Past ESAs notified at Dahanu, Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani and Doon Valley

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — ecologically sensitive areas, the conservation-versus-development debate, and centre-state friction in environmental policy.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Gadgil Committee = Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel; Kasturirangan = High-Level Working Group (2013)
• ESA = Ecologically Sensitive Area, notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
• Six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu

🔑 Key Term: Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) — a zone notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 where ecologically damaging activities are regulated or prohibited.