Saving the Western Ghats | Part 2 | In Focus Podcast
In the latest In Focus Podcast, host K. C. Deepika discusses the contentious Eco-Sensitive Area proposal in the Western Ghats with expert TV Ramachandra, exploring its implications for this vital ecosystem.
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Context
The central government has issued a seventh draft notification (July/August 2026) following the lapse of the sixth version proposing to declare large swathes of the Western Ghats (covering six states) as an Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA). This move, aimed at protecting the highly endemic and fragile biodiversity hotspot from ecological disasters, faces strong opposition from state governments like Karnataka, highlighting the ongoing tension between conservation efforts recommended by the and and local developmental interests.
UPSC Perspectives
Environmental
The core of this debate centers on the protection of biodiversity hotspots, regions with exceptionally high levels of plant endemism that are severely threatened by habitat loss. The Western Ghats is a and one of the world's eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity. The empowers the central government to restrict industrial operations in specific areas, leading to the concept of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or Areas (ESAs). These zones act as a 'shock absorber' around protected areas, transitioning from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection. The (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel) proposed classifying the entire Western Ghats into varying degrees of Ecological Sensitive Zones, recommending a near-total ban on new polluting industries and mining. The subsequent diluted this, proposing only 37% of the total area as an ESA. For UPSC, understanding the differences between these two committee reports, particularly their approach to striking a balance between ecological conservation and sustainable development, is crucial for GS Paper 3. Questions frequently test the rationale behind ESA notifications and the specific ecological threats facing the Western Ghats, such as deforestation, unscientific mining, and changing land-use patterns that exacerbate landslides.
Polity
The resistance to the draft notification illustrates the complex dynamics of cooperative federalism and environmental governance in India. While while related subjects like 'Forests' are in the Concurrent List, the Centre exercises power over environmental protection largely through Article 253 to implement international conventions (like Stockholm), as seen in the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 of the Constitution, allowing both the Centre and states to legislate, the central government's directives often clash with state priorities. States like Karnataka argue that sweeping ESA notifications infringe upon their developmental autonomy and negatively impact local livelihoods, particularly agriculture and infrastructure projects. This tension highlights the challenge of implementing top-down environmental policies without adequate grassroots consultation and consensus-building. For GS Paper 2, this scenario serves as a classic case study on the friction between national environmental goals and state-level economic interests. The role of the (NGT) in arbitrating such disputes and ensuring the enforcement of the is also highly relevant. UPSC aspirants should analyze how the lack of political consensus and the politicization of environmental issues delay crucial conservation measures, as evidenced by the repeated issuance and lapsing of draft notifications over the past decade.
Geographical
Geographically, the Western Ghats are a crucial orographic barrier that intercepts the southwest monsoon winds, significantly influencing the climate and rainfall patterns of the entire Indian peninsula. They are the source of major peninsular rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery. The physical geography of the region, characterized by steep slopes and lateritic soils, makes it inherently susceptible to landslides and soil erosion, particularly during extreme rainfall events. The recent spate of ecological disasters in the region is closely linked to anthropogenic interventions—such as deforestation, quarrying, and construction on fragile slopes—which compromise the structural integrity of the mountains. In GS Paper 1, the Western Ghats are a frequent topic, focusing on their geological formation (as a faulted or 'block' mountain edge/escarpment formed during the rift of Gondwana), their role in India's monsoon mechanism, and their diverse natural vegetation ranging from tropical evergreen forests to montane grasslands (Sholas). Understanding the spatial distribution of the proposed ESAs across the six states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu) and the specific geographical vulnerabilities of each region is essential for both Prelims and Mains.