Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)

Source: Indian Express

Context

The Union Government is moving to finalise the demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats in a phased, state-wise manner, starting with Gujarat — where consensus on boundaries has been achieved — followed by Maharashtra and Goa. Notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, an ESA is a legally protected geographic zone with a customised management regime to protect highly fragile, biologically rich ecosystems from industrial degradation while allowing pre-existing human settlements to engage in sustainable development. The latest sixth draft notification, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on 31 July 2024 (valid till end of July 2026), proposes 56,825.7 sq km across six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu — as ESA. For the first time, the 2024 draft includes a phased state-wise notification clause allowing the Centre to finalise boundaries sequentially, bypassing the long-standing six-state deadlock. The proposed regime would prohibit highly disruptive activities like new mining and quarrying, thermal power plants, red-category polluting industries, and commercial buildings/townships with built-up area ≥ 20,000 sq m. The framework has evolved through three key milestones: the Madhav Gadgil Panel (2010–11), the K. Kasturirangan Working Group (2012–13), the 2014 Baseline Draft, and the ongoing Sanjay Kumar Committee (2022–26). The Committee — led by former Director General of Forests Sanjay Kumar — is reconciling village-level revenue maps with satellite imagery, examining state objections, and finalising the phased execution strategy. It also proposes financial incentives through a grant-in-aid scheme and a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programme. While Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa have agreed in principle, Karnataka has outright rejected the Kasturirangan recommendations and Kerala seeks exclusion of Cardamom Hills and parts of Idukki.

Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)

• What: A legally protected geographic zone notified under Sections 3(1), 3(2)(v), and 5(1) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 read with Rule 5(1) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986; features a customised management regime to protect highly fragile, biologically rich ecosystems from industrial degradation while permitting pre-existing human settlements to engage in sustainable development; restrictions acquire full legal force upon notification.
• Where: Notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) based on ecological and biodiversity assessments; existing ESAs include Mount Abu (Rajasthan), Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Maharashtra), Matheran (Maharashtra), Aravalli range, Murud-Janjira (Maharashtra), Doon Valley (Uttarakhand).

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

• What: A central legislation that protects and improves the environment and prevents hazards to humans, other living creatures, plants, and property; enacted in the aftermath of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984); an umbrella legislation that empowers the Central Government to take all necessary measures for environment protection.
• Where: Enacted by Parliament; administered by MoEFCC, New Delhi; applicable across India.

Key Features of the Proposed ESA Plan

1. Prohibited Red-Category Activities:
   • New mining and quarrying (excluding minor minerals in non-forest areas).
   • Sand extraction.
   • Thermal power plants (new and expansion).
   • Red-category polluting industries (as per CPCB classification).
2. Infrastructure & Construction Caps:
   • New + expansion projects of commercial buildings and townships with built-up area ≥ 20,000 sq m — BANNED.
3. Phased, State-Wise Notification Clause:
   • Centre can finalise ESA boundaries for individual states sequentially.
   • Eliminates the need for simultaneous six-state consensus.
4. Reconciliation of Village-Level Data:
   • High-resolution satellite imagery cross-checked with state revenue registers.
   • Eliminates data discrepancies (settlements/plantations wrongly classified as forest).
5. Financial Compensation Framework:
   • Grant-in-aid from Centre to states for ecological protection.
   • Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) for local communities:
     • Clean water provision.
     • Carbon sequestration.
     • Biodiversity conservation.

Western Ghats — Ecological Significance

Feature	Details
Length	~1,500 km along India’s western coast
Total Area	~1,60,000 sq km
Spread	Six states (Gujarat to Tamil Nadu)
UNESCO World Heritage	Inscribed 2012 (39 component sites)
Biodiversity Hotspots Rank	One of the 8 “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity globally
Geological Age	Older than the Himalayas
Endemic Species	~5,000 flowering plants, 325+ globally threatened species, ~290 freshwater fishes, ~219 amphibians, ~227 reptiles
Rivers Originated	Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Tungabhadra, Periyar, Vaigai
Monsoon Role	Acts as barrier channelling SW monsoon rainfall onto coastal plains

India’s Four Biodiversity Hotspots

1. Western Ghats.
2. Eastern Himalayas.
3. Indo-Burma region.
4. Sundaland (includes Nicobar Islands).

Practice MCQs

Q1. With reference to the Centre’s proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notification for the Western Ghats in 2026, consider the following statements:

1. The latest draft notification, issued on 31 July 2024, is valid until end of July 2026 and proposes 56,825.7 sq km across six states.
2. The 2024 draft, for the first time, allows the Centre to notify ESA boundaries in a phased, state-wise manner.
3. The Centre is starting the phased notification with Gujarat, where consensus has been achieved.
4. The ESA notification is being issued under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; ESAs are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, NOT the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.)

Q2. With reference to the Madhav Gadgil Panel and the K. Kasturirangan Working Group, consider the following statements:

1. The Madhav Gadgil Panel (2010–11) recommended that the entire Western Ghats extent (1,29,037 sq km) be designated as an ESA.
2. The Kasturirangan Working Group (2012–13) proposed that only the 40% natural landscape (~60,000 sq km) be declared as ESA, excluding the 60% cultural landscape.
3. The Madhav Gadgil Panel recommended a bottom-up governance approach via Gram Sabhas and panchayats.
4. The Kasturirangan Working Group was chaired by a former Chairman of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; Dr. K. Kasturirangan was the former Chairman of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), NOT ICAR.)

Q3. With reference to the proposed ESA plan’s restrictions, consider the following statements:

1. New mining and quarrying activities are proposed to be prohibited.
2. Thermal power plants and red-category polluting industries are proposed to be banned.
3. New and expansion projects of commercial buildings and townships with built-up area of 20,000 sq m or above are proposed to be prohibited.
4. The plan proposes a complete ban on all existing agriculture and human settlements in the notified ESA.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the plan explicitly allows pre-existing settlements and agriculture to continue sustainable development; it does NOT prohibit them.)

Q4. With reference to state positions on the Western Ghats ESA plan, consider the following statements:

1. Gujarat has agreed to ESA notification for approximately 449–470 sq km across 64 villages.
2. Karnataka has outright rejected the Kasturirangan Committee recommendations.
3. Kerala has sought exclusion of the Cardamom Hills and parts of Idukki from the proposed ESA.
4. Maharashtra has rejected the entire proposal and refused to participate in the phased notification.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; Maharashtra has agreed in principle to the proposal but has sought exclusion of 378 villages; it has NOT rejected the entire proposal.)

Q5. With reference to the Western Ghats, consider the following statements:

1. The Western Ghats extend approximately 1,500 km along India’s western coast across six states.
2. They are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2012.
3. They are one of the eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity in the world.
4. The Western Ghats are geologically younger than the Himalayas.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the Western Ghats are geologically OLDER than the Himalayas, NOT younger.)

Q6. With reference to the financial compensation and committee framework, consider the following statements:

1. The Sanjay Kumar Committee was constituted in 2022 under a former Director General of Forests to reconcile village-level data and finalise the phased execution strategy.
2. The proposed framework includes a grant-in-aid economic incentive system from the Centre.
3. It also includes a structured Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programme for local communities.
4. The proposed PES framework is being implemented under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the proposed PES framework will be implemented under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 framework for ESAs, NOT the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.)

Answer Key

1. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because ESA notification is under EPA, 1986.
2. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Kasturirangan was former ISRO Chairman.
3. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because existing settlements and agriculture are allowed.
4. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Maharashtra agreed in principle.
5. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas.
6. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because PES is under EPA 1986 framework for ESAs.