FAST READ
The Centre issued another draft Western Ghats ESA notification in July 2026. The draft provided a period for objections and suggestions. UPSC focus: environment / federalism, institutional design and long-term policy implications.
WHY IN NEWS
Debate over the proposed Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area has intensified around inhabited settlements, livelihood concerns and the need for accurate ecological boundary-setting.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- The Centre issued another draft Western Ghats ESA notification in July 2026.
- The draft provided a period for objections and suggestions.
- Kerala has sought exclusion of inhabited areas from proposed ESA limits.
- Thirty-three inhabited villages have figured prominently in Kerala's representation.
- Koottikkal, Melukavu, Poonjar Thekkekkara and Teekoy are among the highlighted Kottayam villages.
- Local bodies have used gram sabhas and resolutions to express concerns.
- The Western Ghats is a global biodiversity hotspot.
- ESA regulation is intended to restrict environmentally damaging activities, not automatically prohibit all habitation.
- Accurate cadastral and ground-level mapping is crucial in mixed settlement-forest landscapes.
- Landslide and extreme-rainfall risks strengthen the case for ecologically informed land-use planning.
- Livelihood security and conservation objectives must be reconciled through consultation.
- The dispute illustrates the importance of cooperative environmental federalism.
PRELIMS
- The Centre issued another draft Western Ghats ESA notification in July 2026.
- The draft provided a period for objections and suggestions.
- Kerala has sought exclusion of inhabited areas from proposed ESA limits.
- Thirty-three inhabited villages have figured prominently in Kerala's representation.
- Koottikkal, Melukavu, Poonjar Thekkekkara and Teekoy are among the highlighted Kottayam villages.
- Local bodies have used gram sabhas and resolutions to express concerns.
- The Western Ghats is a global biodiversity hotspot.
- ESA regulation is intended to restrict environmentally damaging activities, not automatically prohibit all habitation.
QUICK REVISION
- Authority/theme: Environment / Federalism.
- Anchor fact: The Centre issued another draft Western Ghats ESA notification in July 2026.
- Second recall: The draft provided a period for objections and suggestions.