The Hindu: Page 03
Syllabus : GS 3 : Environment
The Union government has reissued a draft notification classifying parts of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) for the sixth time.
- This draft, which imposes economic activity restrictions, has faced repeated objections from states. The new version coincides with recent Wayanad landslide events but is reportedly routine.
About Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs)
- ESAs are regions recognized for their environmental significance, where human activities are regulated to protect biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural habitats.
- These areas are often home to endemic species of plants and animals and are crucial for maintaining ecological balance.
- The Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 allows the Central Government to restrict industrial activities in these sensitive areas to safeguard their ecological integrity.
- Although the term “Eco-Sensitive Zones” is not explicitly mentioned in the Act, provisions exist to prohibit or regulate activities based on biodiversity and environmental considerations.
Recommendations
o The Gadgil Committee recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats region, covering 129,000 square kilometers, as ecologically sensitive.
o The committee proposed creating three zones: ESA 1, ESA 2, and ESA 3, with ESA 1 and ESA 2 facing the strictest restrictions on economic activity.
o States opposed these recommendations, leading to modifications..
o The Kasturirangan Committee re-evaluated the protection measures and reduced the area of protected regions by half.
o The committee allowed states to propose their own ESA boundaries, with Kerala being the first to do so.
New Panel Formed by the Government
- In April 2022, the Centre formed another panel to “re-examine suggestions by these six state governments while keeping in view the conservation aspects of the disaster-prone pristine ecosystem, as well as rights, privileges, needs and developmental aspirations of the region”.
- The Centre and expert panel held 10 meetings with states having Western Ghats to discuss the fifth draft notification at various forums.
- The sixth draft notification, issued on Friday, declared 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats as ESAs in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil
Way forward:
- Integrated Management Plans: The Government should develop and implement integrated management plans that balance ecological conservation with the developmental needs of the region.
- Enhanced Monitoring and Enforcement: There is a need to strengthen the regulatory framework by enhancing monitoring mechanisms and enforcing existing environmental laws more stringently.
UPSC Mains PYQ : 2021
Ques : Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats.
