Govt Proposes Western Ghats, Including Wayanad's Landslide Zones, As Ecologically Sensitive, Suggests Ban On Mining And Construction

The Centre has proposed designating over 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats across 6 states, including 13 landslide-affected villages in Kerala's Wayanad, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area.

The Union government has released a 5th draft notification to designate over 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats across six states, including 13 villages in Kerala's landslide-hit Wayanad, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), with the suggestions and objections within 60 days.

The notification, which was issued on July 31, follows a series of landslides that claimed over 300 lives in Wayanad district.

The draft proposes declaring 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala, including 13 villages in two talukas of the landslide-hit district, as ecologically sensitive. The notification includes 449 sq km in Gujarat, 17,340 sq km in Maharashtra, 1,461 sq km in Goa, 20,668 sq km in Karnataka, 6,914 sq km in Tamil Nadu, and 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala in the proposed ESA.

The notification also suggests to complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining, with existing mines to be phased out within five years "from the date of issue of the final notification or on the expiry of the existing mining lease, whichever is earlier".

It also prohibits new thermal power projects, allowing existing ones to continue without expansion. With exceptions for the repair and renovation of existing buildings, large-scale construction projects and townships are also proposed to be prohibited.

"All new and expansion projects of building and construction with built-up areas of 20,000 square metres and above, and all new and expansion townships and area development projects with an area of 50 hectares and above or with built-up areas of 1,50,000 square metres and above, shall be prohibited, " the notification mentioned.

"There shall be no restriction on the repair, extension, or renovation of existing residential houses in the Eco-sensitive Area as per prevailing laws and regulations," the notification also reads.

Existing healthcare establishments in the ESA can continue to operate, and new primary health centers can be set up as per laws and regulations. There are no restrictions proposed on changing property ownership.

Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel

The Centre formed the "Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel" under ecologist Madhav Gadgil to study the impact of population pressure, climate change, and development activities on the Western Ghats in 2010.

In 2011, the panel recommended that based on their eco-sensitivity, the entire hill range be declared an ESA and divided into three Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs). It recommended a ban on mining, quarrying, new thermal power plants, hydropower projects, and large-scale wind energy projects in ESZ 1.

However, these recommendations faced resistance from state governments, industries, and local communities.

The Centre formulated a High-Level Working Group under rocket scientist K Kasturirangan to study and recommend measures for the Western Ghats' ecological protection and sustainable development in 2013. They identified 37 per cent of the Western Ghats, which covers 59,940 square kilometers, as ecologically sensitive.

With the most recent draft notification released on Friday, the government has published five draft notifications regarding ESA in the Western Ghats.