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Relevance: Geography, Environment, and Disaster Mitigation Source: MoEFCC & Kasturirangan Report, 2013

1 · What happened

After waiting for nearly twelve years, the Indian government is finally taking legal steps to protect the Western Ghats. The Ministry of Environment is starting with three states where local boundary arguments have been settled: Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa.
The master plan comes from the 2013 Kasturirangan Committee. It aims to protect about 56,000 sq km (roughly 37% of the Ghats) as an Ecologically Sensitive Area. While the first three states are ready, Karnataka and Kerala are still negotiating how much land should be locked away from development.

2 · ESZ vs. ESA: What’s the difference?

An ESZ (Ecologically Sensitive Zone) is a small protective boundary (up to 10 km) around a single wildlife park—like a shock absorber. An ESA (Ecologically Sensitive Area) is a massive, continuous landscape—like an entire mountain range—that includes forests, rivers, and human settlements. Both protect nature under the Environment Act of 1986.

The First Try (2011)
The Gadgil Panel
Ecologist Madhav Gadgil wanted to protect the entire Western Ghats. He suggested a ban on big dams and mining, giving power to local villages. States rejected this as too strict for economic growth.
The Compromise (2013)
The Kasturirangan Panel
Former ISRO chief K. Kasturirangan suggested protecting only the purely natural parts (~37%). It bans heavy pollution but allows eco-friendly projects. This is the plan the government is using today.
The 2026 Breakthrough
Three States Agree
Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat have finally agreed on their maps. Tamil Nadu has no major objections. But Karnataka (which has the largest chunk of the Ghats) and Kerala are still pushing back.
The Tragic Cost
Landslides & Loss
Because these rules were delayed for a decade, dangerous stone mining and construction continued on fragile hills. This directly caused deadly disasters, like the Wayanad landslides in July 2024.

  • Why it’s vital: The Western Ghats run 1,600 km along India’s west coast. They control our monsoon rains, feed major rivers (like Godavari and Cauvery), and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The Legal Push: The Constitution (Article 48A) demands we protect the environment. Because of government delays, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had to step in and order the finalization of these protections.

Student Concept Guide
ESA (Ecologically Sensitive Area) A massive, protected biodiversity landscape covering multiple ecosystems and human settlements.
Gadgil Committee (2011) The strict first plan that wanted to label the entire Western Ghats as an ESA.
Kasturirangan Committee (2013) The compromise plan currently being used, protecting about 37% of the Ghats.
National Green Tribunal (NGT) India’s special environmental court that pushes the government to act on ecological threats.
Wayanad Landslide (2024) A tragic disaster in Kerala highlighting the deadly cost of unregulated mining in the Ghats.

Check Your Understanding
Q. With reference to the Western Ghats and Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs), consider the following statements:

  1. The Western Ghats run along India’s west coast across six states and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  2. The 2011 Gadgil Committee recommended that only 37% of the Western Ghats be designated as an ESA.
  3. ESAs and ESZs are notified by the Central Government under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only    (b) 2 and 3 only    (c) 1 and 3 only    (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

  • Statement 1 is Correct: The Ghats cover six states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) and are globally recognized by UNESCO.
  • Statement 2 is Incorrect (The Trap): The Gadgil Committee wanted the entire region protected. The 37% figure comes from the later Kasturirangan Committee.
  • Statement 3 is Correct: The Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 gives the central government the power to declare both ESAs and ESZs to restrict harmful industries.
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