4 of 6 states want Centre to cut down eco-sensitive areas in Western Ghats
With the Centre setting September 27 as the deadline to receive feedback from states on notifying the eco-sensitive areas (ESAs) of Western Ghats, four of the six states, including Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, have sought a reduction in the extent of ESAs to allow developmental works.
The Western Ghats pass through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. In the light of the massive landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad district in August, the focus had been back on declaring ESAs to prevent similar natural disasters.
The Environment Ministry had issued a sixth draft notification on July 31, reiterating the proposal to declare 56,825.7 sq km of Western Ghats as part of an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). Mining, installation of thermal plants and installation of red category industries are banned in areas that are declared ESZs.
The Centre has marked 108 villages spanning 1,461 square kilometres in Goa as part of ESA. Goa has sought an exemption of 40 villages from the list of ESAs. Of the 108 villages, 64 are in North Goa and 44 in South Goa district.
Similarly, 20,668 sq km in 10 districts of Karnataka have been declared as ESA in the draft notification. The Karnataka Environment Ministry said it would hold a meeting with district leaders on September 19. Sources in the ministry confirmed that the state might seek reduction of the ESZ area to 16,632 sq km.
The Centre has also proposed 17,340 sq km of Western Ghats in Maharashtra as ESA. Maharashtra wants to bring down the area to 15,359.49 sq km.
An area of 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala is also proposed in the ESA. However, the state government is tight-lipped about its reaction to the latest draft notification. Wayanad will also be an ESA if the proposed draft notification is accepted by the state.
The Centre has proposed that 135 villages of Tamil Nadu, which has an area of 6,914 sq km in Western Ghats, be declared an ESA. However, officials said the state has “left out” 50 villages with substantial human settlements from being designated as eco-sensitive areas. Gujarat, where the spread of the proposed ESA is 449 sq km, has not sought any reduction in the area.
