Environment News

Western Ghats ESA Draft

October 16 , 2026 15 hrs 0 min 8 0

The Union government issued the seventh draft notification on July 27, 2026, proposing to declare 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats across six States as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
The six States are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the draft proposes bans on new mining, quarrying, sand mining, thermal power projects and red-category industries, along with restrictions on specified large construction projects.
The draft does not impose a blanket ban on farming or require the eviction of residents; existing houses can be repaired and renovated.
Karnataka rejected the draft in its present form, while Kerala sought to reduce its proposed ESA area from 9,993.7 sq km to 8,590.69 sq km; other States also sought changes.
The expert committee’s tenure has been extended until July 2027 to examine objections and mapping concerns before the final notification.