Western Ghats in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa likely to be declared ecologically sensitive areas

New Delhi – The Union Government has begun preparations to declare areas of the Western Ghats falling within the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA).

Nearly 12 years ago, K. Kasturirangan, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), had submitted a report proposing that a total area of 56,000 sq km in the Western Ghats spread across six States – Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala – be declared ecologically sensitive. At that time, apart from the issuance of a draft notification, no concrete action was taken in this regard. The Government has now begun preparations to declare at least the Western Ghats regions falling within Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa as ecologically sensitive areas.

So far, all six States have not agreed to declare the Western Ghats areas falling within their respective boundaries as ecologically sensitive. Only Gujarat has expressed complete consent to the notification. Maharashtra has not yet given its full approval. The State Government has maintained that 378 villages should be excluded from the area, which currently extends across 2,515 villages. Karnataka and Kerala have also not expressed their consent.

What will happen if the area is declared ecologically sensitive ?

If the Western Ghats are declared an Ecologically Sensitive Area, there will be a complete ban on new mining and related projects, thermal power plants, industries in the highest pollution category, construction of new buildings with a built-up area exceeding 20,000 sq metres, and additional construction on existing buildings.