What is Karnataka’s objection to the ESA? | Explained

Published 2026-09-27 · Updated 2026-09-27 · 3 min · 548 words

What does this development mean for UPSC preparation?

Karnataka Legislature unanimously rejected the seventh draft of the Kasturirangan Committee report on Western Ghats ESA on September 22.

Karnataka Legislature unanimously rejected the seventh draft of the Kasturirangan Committee report on Western Ghats ESA on September 22.

Environment and Ecology; Conservation; Environmental Impact Assessment; Federalism; Governance.

Important for UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains due to ongoing debate on balancing development and conservation, and inter-state federal issues.

Karnataka rejects ESA draft over livelihood concerns.

Karnataka Legislature passed a resolution rejecting the Kasturirangan report's ESA notification for Western Ghats.

Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's eight biodiversity hotspots.
The Kasturirangan Committee (2013) recommended declaring 37% of Western Ghats as ESA, focusing on biologically rich, low-population areas.

Useful for questions on environmental governance, sustainable development, and centre-state relations in conservation.

Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) is a designated zone with restrictions on industrial and developmental activities to protect biodiversity.
EIA Notification 2006 regulates projects requiring environmental clearance, including those near ESAs.

Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (Gadgil Committee) and High Level Working Group (Kasturirangan Committee) were key expert bodies.

ESA notification aims to protect biodiversity hotspots from unregulated development.
Karnataka's rejection may delay conservation efforts in the most critical areas.
Balancing ecological integrity with human needs remains a core challenge.

State's repeated rejection highlights centre-state friction in environmental decision-making.
The 60-day window for objections shows consultative process but limited state autonomy.
Uniform ESA norms may not account for state-specific socio-economic realities.

Repeated rejections indicate lack of consensus on ESA boundaries and regulations.
Potential for litigation if central government proceeds with notification despite state objections.
Policy uncertainty affects long-term planning for conservation and development.

Kasturirangan Committee recommended 59,940 sq km as ESA in Western Ghats.
Karnataka has the largest ESA area among six states: 20,668 sq km across 1,576 villages.

ESA notification must balance ecological protection with sustainable livelihoods.
Federal consultation should be meaningful, not just procedural.
Uniform restrictions may be ineffective without local support and alternative development pathways.

Karnataka's repeated rejection of the draft since 2014 shows persistent state opposition.

Western Ghats spans 1.64 lakh sq km; ESA proposed initially 59,940 sq km, now 56,825 sq km.
Karnataka: 20,668 sq km, 1,576 villages; Maharashtra: 17,340 sq km, 2,159 villages.

Some states like Kerala reduced ESA area after ground survey, raising concerns about scientific integrity.
Central government may override state objections, leading to legal battles.

Conduct transparent ground-truthing exercises involving local communities to demarcate ESA boundaries.
Develop state-specific sustainable development plans with incentives for green livelihoods.
Strengthen institutional mechanisms for inter-state coordination on Western Ghats conservation.
Ensure scientific basis for ESA notification is not compromised by political pressures.
Promote eco-tourism and organic farming as alternative income sources in ESA regions.

Primary/reference source: thehindu.com