CivilsIASPrep.comKerala Assembly unanimously passes resolution asking Union government to accept State’s revised ESA proposal
What does this development mean for UPSC preparation?
Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to accept its revised Ecologically Sensitive Area proposal for the Western Ghats.
UPSC CSE Context
Why in News
Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to accept its revised Ecologically Sensitive Area proposal for the Western Ghats.
Syllabus Connection
Environment and Ecology; Conservation; Federalism; Governance.
Exam Relevance
Highlights Centre-State tensions in environmental governance and the balance between conservation and development, relevant for GS Paper 3 and Essay.
Core Issue
Kerala seeks Centre's approval for revised ESA proposal.
Key Development
State demands final ESA notification consider its revised proposal covering 8,590.69 sq km in 98 villages.
Stakeholders
- Kerala State Government
- Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
- Local communities and farmers
- Political parties in Kerala
Static Knowledge
High-Value Background
- Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's eight biodiversity hotspots.
- Ecologically Sensitive Areas are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate developmental activities.
Exam Linkage
- Useful for questions on environmental federalism and implementation of expert committee recommendations like Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports.
Concepts in Context
- Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) restricts industrial and infrastructural activities to protect fragile ecosystems.
- Cardamom Hill Reserve is a unique agro-ecological zone with historical cultivation and settlement patterns.
Institutions and Mechanisms
- State Legislative Assembly resolutions are non-binding but exert political pressure on the Centre.
Dynamic Analysis
Federalism
- State's unanimous resolution signals collective political assertion against perceived central imposition.
- Demand for accepting revised proposal reflects tension between national conservation goals and local developmental needs.
- Centre's final notification without state consent may exacerbate Centre-State friction in environmental governance.
Environment and Ecology
- Reduced ESA area may undermine ecological connectivity and long-term conservation of the Western Ghats.
- Exemptions for infrastructure and industries could lead to habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss.
- Scientific demarcation of boundaries is crucial to balance conservation with sustainable development.
Livelihood and Development
- High population density and agrarian economy necessitate exemptions for agriculture and allied activities.
- Exclusion of Cardamom Hill Reserve protects traditional livelihoods but may set a precedent for further dilutions.
- Infrastructure exemptions for healthcare and disaster rehabilitation address genuine public welfare needs.
Governance
- Resolution highlights the need for participatory and transparent decision-making in environmental regulation.
- Lack of final notification creates regulatory uncertainty for both conservation and development.
- Political consensus in the state may strengthen its bargaining position with the Centre.
Prelims Takeaways
- Western Ghats are among 36 global biodiversity hotspots.
Mains Value Addition
Arguments
- Balancing ecological integrity with developmental aspirations requires nuanced, region-specific approaches.
- Federal consensus is essential for effective implementation of environmental regulations.
- Exemptions must be scientifically justified to prevent dilution of conservation objectives.
Examples
- Kerala's demand to exclude Cardamom Hill Reserve due to its unique agro-ecological character.
Data Points
- Revised ESA proposal covers 8,590.69 sq km across 98 revenue villages.
Counterpoints
- Reduced ESA area may compromise the ecological sensitivity of the Western Ghats.
- Exemptions could open doors for unsustainable development under the guise of livelihood protection.
Way Forward
- Centre should engage in structured dialogue with Kerala to reconcile conservation and development concerns.
- Conduct independent scientific assessment of the revised ESA proposal before final notification.
- Ensure transparent demarcation of ESA boundaries with community participation.
- Develop a special regulatory framework for unique agro-ecological zones like Cardamom Hill Reserve.
- Establish a monitoring mechanism to prevent misuse of exemptions.