Draft Notification on Ecosensitive Areas

The centre has issued a draft notification to declare over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats across six states as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). 

Background of the Draft Notification on Ecosensitive Areas

• Initial Draft and Recommendation: The first draft was issued in  March 2014 on the recommendation of the High-Level Working Group (HLWG) formed by the Centre in 2012. 
• Re-examination of Suggestions: In April 2022, the centre established another panel to check the recommendations from six states. 
  • This panel considered both conservation concerns and developmental aspirations of the region. 
• Previous Draft: This draft was issued on July 6, 2022. It expired without a consensus between centre and six states on the extent of ESA. 

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Key Highlights of the Draft Notification on Ecosensitive Areas

• Consensus: The Draft Notification on Ecosensitive Areas aims to reach an agreement among the six states involved: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, and Gujarat. This issue has been under discussion since 2011.
• Proposal inclusion
• • Area: Over 56,000 square kilometers across six states will be covered.
    • It Includes 13 villages in Wayanad, Kerala, which recently experienced severe landslides.
  • Restrictions: Mining, quarrying, and sand mining will be banned. Large construction projects will also be limited.
  • Exceptions: Existing homes can be repaired or expanded,  or renovation of existing residential houses in the Eco-sensitive Area but new big buildings are not allowed.
    • The notification also proposes to phase out the existing mines within five years “from the date of issue of the final notification or on the expiry of the existing mining lease, whichever is earlier”. 

Previous Committees on Western Ghats Protection

• Madhav Gadgil Committee (2011)

  • Purpose: Recommended measures for conservation of the Western Ghats.
  • Main Recommendation: Suggested that 64% of the Western Ghats be classified as eco-sensitive areas.

• Dr. K Kasturirangan Committee (2013)

  • Purpose: Formed to review and provide recommendations for protecting the Western Ghats.
  • Main Recommendation: Proposed reducing the eco-sensitive area to 37% of the Western Ghats.

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About Western Ghat

• The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is one of the eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity in the world.
• It is also known as Sahyadri. 
• Location: Stretches 1,600 km (990 mi) along the western coast of the Indian peninsula.
• Coverage: 160,000 km² (62,000 sq mi) across six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
• Highest Peak: Anamudi, Eravikulam National Park and Doddabetta
• Southern End: Reaches Swamithoppe in Kanyakumari district.
• Meeting Point: Joins with the Eastern Ghats at Nilgiris.

• Formation and Geology

  • Formation: Created during the break-up of the supercontinent Gondwana in the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods.
  • Geological Evidence: The mountains were formed when India separated from Africa and rose along the west coast.
  • Composition: The Deccan Plateau is made of basalt rocks, influencing the rise of the Western Ghats.

• Rivers of the Western Ghats

• • West-Flowing Rivers

    • Examples: Periyar, Bharathappuzha, Netravati, Sharavathi, Mandovi.
    • Characteristics: These rivers are fast-moving due to their short courses and steep gradients. This makes them ideal for hydroelectric power production.

  • East-Flowing Rivers

    • Major Rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri.
    • Smaller Rivers: Tunga, Bhadra, Bhima, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Hemavathi, Kabini.
    • Characteristics: These rivers are slower-moving and eventually join larger rivers like the Kaveri and Krishna.

• Climate and Vegetation

• • Forests

    • Types: The forests are representative of tropical evergreen forests and include a diverse range of flora and fauna.
    • Biodiversity: Home to at least 325 globally threatened species, including plants, animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.

  • Climate Influence

    • Monsoon: The Western Ghats influence the Indian monsoon by blocking rain-laden winds from the southwest, causing significant rainfall on the western slopes.

  • Vegetation

    • Western Slopes: Covered with tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, featuring trees like Rosewood, Mahogany, and Cedar. These slopes are green throughout the year.
    • Eastern Slopes: Home to dry and moist deciduous forests with trees such as Teak, Sal, Shisham, and Sandalwood.

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• Wildlife

  • Small Carnivores: Nilgiri marten, brown palm civet, stripe-necked mongoose, Indian brown mongoose, small Indian civet, and leopard cat.
  • Endemic Species: Nilgiri tahr and lion-tailed macaque.
  • Globally Threatened Species: Includes 229 plant species, 31 mammal species, 15 bird species, 43 amphibian species, 5 reptile species, and 1 fish species.

• Protected Areas in the Western Ghats

  • Protected Areas Includes two biosphere reserves, 13 National Parks, several wildlife sanctuaries, and many Reserve Forests.

  • Major Protected Areas

    • Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
      • Description: The largest contiguous protected area in the Western Ghats.
      • Components: Includes evergreen forests of Nagarahole, deciduous forests of Bandipur National Park, and Nugu in Karnataka. Also covers Wayanad and Mudumalai National Park in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
    • Silent Valley National Park
      • Description: One of the last remaining untouched tropical evergreen forests in India.
      • Location: Located in Kerala.

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