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56,825 sq km ESA for Western Ghats: Kasturirangan Panel Plan Faces Opposition from 6 States

EnvironmentPolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
22 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:56,825.7 sq km60,000 sq km1,29,037 sq km1,64,280 sq km6 states2013 Kasturirangan report
Bodies:Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeKasturirangan CommitteeGadgil CommitteeSanjay Kumar Committee
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What This Article Covers

1.The Western Ghats ESA plan, based on the Kasturirangan panel's recommendations, proposes to notify 56,825.7 sq km as ecologically sensitive, banning mining, red category industries, thermal power plants, and large constructions.

2.Six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu — have raised objections, seeking exclusion of villages to protect agriculture, plantations, and industries, delaying the final notification since 2014.

3.A fresh expert committee under Sanjay Kumar (2022) is re-examining state objections, exploring financial incentives for conservation, and considering a phased state-wise approach to break the deadlock.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Centre's long-pending Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) plan for the Western Ghats, based on the Kasturirangan panel's 2013 report, proposes to notify 56,825.7 sq km with restrictions on mining and polluting industries. Six states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) are opposing it due to economic concerns, leading to repeated draft notifications and a fresh expert committee. For aspirants: this is a classic case of environment vs development, centre-state tensions, and biodiversity conservation — a hot topic for Prelims (ESA, hotspots) and Mains (GS3 environment, GS2 federalism).

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

ESA Area in Latest Draft Notification56,825.7 sq km
Kasturirangan Panel Proposed ESA60,000 sq km (natural landscape)
Gadgil Panel Proposed ESA1,29,037 sq km (entire Ghats)
Number of Opposing States6
Key CommitteesGadgil (2011), Kasturirangan (2013), Sanjay Kumar (2022)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›ESA Area in Latest Draft Notification: 56,825.7 sq km
  • ›Kasturirangan Panel Proposed ESA: 60,000 sq km (natural landscape)
  • ›Target this Data: ESA area in latest draft notification = 56,825.7 sq km; Kasturirangan proposed 60,000 sq km; Gadgil proposed 1,29,037 sq km.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) — responsible for ESA notifications.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Environment Protection Act, 1986 (under which ESA is declared).

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is responsible for notifying Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Western Ghats conservation plan:

1. The Kasturirangan panel recommended that the entire Western Ghats be declared as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) with heavy restrictions on mining and industries.

2. The Gadgil panel identified 1,29,037 sq km as the extent of the Western Ghats and recommended ESA status for the entire area.

3. The latest draft notification (2024) proposes a phased state-wise approach to finalize the ESA demarcation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What was the area of 'natural landscape' that the Kasturirangan panel proposed to be notified as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

Why are states like Kerala and Karnataka opposing the Western Ghats ESA notification?

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