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Relevance: GS-III (Environment & Conservation); GS-II (Centre-State Relations) Source: Ministry of Environment Updates, 2026

1 · What is the news?

The Western Ghats is one of the most beautiful and ecologically fragile mountain ranges in the world. To save it from destruction and prevent deadly landslides, the Central government wants to declare a large portion of it as an Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA), where harmful mining and large construction would be strictly banned.
However, for the seventh time in a decade, the government has only managed to release a “draft” of these rules, not a final law. Why the long delay? The six states that share these mountains are deeply worried that strict environmental bans will hurt local farmers, stop building of roads, and freeze economic development. This ongoing debate is a classic UPSC challenge: how do we balance saving nature with the livelihood of common people?

2 · The Story of the Deadlock

Step 1: The Gadgil Report (2011)
Ecologist Madhav Gadgil recommended that the entire Western Ghats be protected. States strongly rejected this, fearing it would halt all human progress.
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Step 2: The Kasturirangan Report
To find a middle ground, the Kasturirangan committee reduced the protected area, suggesting only 37% of the region be marked as an Eco-Sensitive Area.
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Step 3: State Pushback Continues
Even with a smaller area, states like Kerala conducted their own surveys to further shrink the boundaries, worried about their agricultural lands.
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Step 4: The 7th Draft (July 2026)
The Centre reissued the draft rules to keep the process alive, asking the public and states for final suggestions within 60 days.

3 · Key Environmental Concepts

Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA)
The Danger Zone
An ESA is a fragile zone where destructive activities like mining, quarrying, sand mining, and massive thermal power plants are strictly prohibited by law.
The 6 States
Shared Responsibility
The Western Ghats run through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka holds the largest share of the proposed protected area.
Regulated vs. Banned
Not a Complete Freeze
Not everything is banned. Essential activities like hydel power generation (water dams) are allowed, but they are strictly monitored and “regulated” to ensure safety.
Global Importance
Why It Matters
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Protecting it is crucial for maintaining the monsoon rains, stopping deadly landslides, and saving rare wildlife.

UPSC Prelims Quick Facts
Proposed Area Size The latest draft notification aims to protect 56,825.7 sq. km of the Western Ghats.
Gadgil vs. Kasturirangan The Gadgil committee wanted 100% protection. The Kasturirangan committee scaled it down to roughly 37% to balance development.
Kerala’s Modification Kerala did its own mapping and successfully reduced its eco-zone to 9,993.7 sq. km, though disputes over villages in Wayanad still remain.
Public Window Whenever a draft notification is issued, the public is given 60 days to file objections before it becomes a final law.

MCQ Practice Question
Q. With reference to the conservation of the Western Ghats, consider the following statements:

  1. The Kasturirangan Committee recommended a much larger area of the Western Ghats for protection compared to the earlier Gadgil Committee.
  2. Once an area is declared an Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA), all types of hydel power generation are completely banned.
  3. The Western Ghats are spread over exactly six Indian states.

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

Answer: (b) 3 only

  • Statement 1 — Incorrect: It is the exact opposite. The Gadgil Committee wanted the entire region protected. The Kasturirangan Committee scaled it down to just 37%.
  • Statement 2 — Incorrect (the trap): While mining and highly polluting thermal plants are completely banned, hydel power generation is not banned; it is only strictly regulated.
  • Statement 3 — Correct: The range spans six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
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