After Wayanad landslides, Centre proposes to designate over 56,000 sq km of Western Ghats as eco sensitive

After severe landslides in Kerala’s Wayanad district, the Centre has released a draft notification proposing to designate 56,825 square kilometres of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA).

The proposed ESA encompasses 9,993 square kilometres in Kerala, covering 13 villages in the Wayanad district, including Noolpuzha, which was hit by landslides on July 30.

These villages are Periya, Thirunelli, Thondernad, Thrissilery, Kidanganad and Noolpuzha in Mananthavady taluka, and Achooranam, Chundel, Kottappadi, Kunnathidavaka, Pozhuthana, Thariyod and Vellarimala in Vythiri taluka.

The July 30 landslides affected Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala villages in Vythiri taluka, which do not figure in the draft notification.

The death toll from the series of landslides in Wayanad district had reached 344 on Saturday morning, with scores of people still missing. Some 200 people are injured.

The sixth draft, published on July 31, 2024, opens a 60-day window for public feedback before finalising the notification.

The environment ministry has issued six draft notifications, including the one issued on July 31, since March 10, 2014, but the final notification is pending amid objections from states.

The environment ministry said the proposal would be “taken into consideration” for publishing final notification of ESA on or after the expiry of a period of sixty days from the date on which copies of the gazette are made available to the public.

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, stretches over approximately 1,500 kilometres from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu, covering an area across six states.

The MoEFCC’s draft notification, invoking Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, outlines several key measures to protect this ecologically sensitive region.

Notably, the draft prohibits mining activities, thermal power projects, and new ‘Red’ category industries in the designated ESA areas.

It also mandates specific conditions for hydropower projects and emphasises sustainable development practices.

One of the most significant aspects of the draft is the demarcation of 59,940 square kilometres, about 37 percent of the Western Ghats, as ESA.

This area spans across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

The MoEFCC said it is consulting with state governments and other stakeholders to refine the boundaries and provisions of the ESA.

The ministry has also assured that no displacement of local residents will occur due to the ESA designation and that existing agricultural and plantation activities will not be affected.

The draft also outlines a robust monitoring mechanism involving state governments, pollution control boards, and a proposed Decision Support and Monitoring Centre.