More time for Western Ghats panel as eco-sensitive area deadlock continues

2026-07-28 · 3 min

The expert committee on Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) received a one-year extension amid a deadlock over finalising the demarcation.

## UPSC CSE Context ### Why in News The expert committee on Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) received a one-year extension amid a deadlock over finalising the demarcation.

### Syllabus Connection Environment: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

### Exam Relevance Relevant for questions on balancing development and conservation, federal challenges in environmental governance, and biodiversity hotspot protection.

## Core Issue Deadlock over Western Ghats ESA demarcation continues.

### Key Development The 2022 expert committee's tenure was extended to July 2027 as the sixth draft notification lapsed without consensus.

### Stakeholders - Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change - Expert committee headed by Sanjay Kumar - State governments of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

## Static Knowledge ### High-Value Background - The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's eight hottest biodiversity hotspots. - The Kasturirangan panel (2013) recommended 37% of the Western Ghats as ESA, diluting the Gadgil panel's proposal for the entire region.

### Exam Linkage - Useful for questions on the conflict between conservation mandates and state development priorities under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

### Institutions and Mechanisms - Expert committee constituted by MoEFCC to resolve state objections to ESA demarcation.

## Dynamic Analysis ### Federalism - State resistance to ESA notification reflects tension between central conservation mandates and local economic interests. - Prolonged negotiations with states like Maharashtra and Kerala indicate the Centre's reliance on consensus-building rather than unilateral action. - The lapse of six draft notifications highlights institutional weakness in enforcing environmental regulations across federal units.

### Development - Uncertainty over ESA boundaries deters investment in ecologically sensitive regions, affecting livelihoods dependent on regulated activities. - Delayed demarcation allows continued mining, quarrying, and infrastructure expansion in biodiversity-rich areas. - Balancing sustainable development with conservation remains a key challenge, as seen in the advanced talks with Goa and Gujarat.

### Ecology and environment - The Western Ghats' unique endemism faces threats from habitat fragmentation due to unregulated land-use changes. - Prolonged deadlock undermines the precautionary principle, as ecological degradation continues in the absence of legal protection. - Climate resilience of the region is compromised when forest cover and connectivity are lost to non-forest activities.

## Mains Value Addition ### Arguments - The repeated lapse of draft notifications erodes the credibility of the environmental clearance process. - State-specific negotiations, while politically pragmatic, risk diluting ecological criteria for ESA identification. - The extension of the expert committee without clear terms of reference indicates a lack of urgency in protecting a global biodiversity hotspot.

### Examples - Maharashtra submitted a revised ESA proposal in June 2026, reflecting ongoing state-level recalibration of conservation boundaries.

### Data Points - The 2024 draft notification demarcated 56,825.7 sq km as ESA across six states.

### Counterpoints - State governments argue that excessive ESA restrictions hinder infrastructure development and local livelihoods. - Consensus-based approaches may be necessary to ensure compliance and avoid legal challenges from affected communities.

## Way Forward - Set a binding timeline for the expert committee to submit a final report to prevent indefinite delays. - Adopt a zonal approach within ESAs, allowing regulated eco-friendly activities to address state concerns. - Strengthen the role of the National Green Tribunal in monitoring compliance with ESA notifications. - Incentivize states through ecological fiscal transfers for preserving notified ESAs. - Conduct a scientific reassessment of ESA boundaries using satellite data and biodiversity indices to build consensus.

Source: National Affairs