13 Villages in Kerala declared ecologically sensitive
New Delhi: The Centre’s recent draft notification marks a significant move towards environmental conservation by proposing to declare over 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs). This proposal includes nearly 10,000 square kilometers in Kerala, focusing on regions affected by recent natural disasters. Specifically, 13 villages in Wayanad, which suffered devastating landslides on July 30, 2024, are highlighted in this draft. The affected villages are located in two talukas: Mananthavady and Vythiri.
The tragic landslides in Wayanad, which claimed over 300 lives, have been attributed to a combination of forest cover loss, mining activities, and climate change. The draft notification is a response to this disaster, aiming to prevent further ecological damage and safeguard sensitive regions. However, the proposed ESAs also extend beyond Kerala, covering significant areas in other states including Gujarat (449 sq km), Maharashtra (17,340 sq km), Goa (1,461 sq km), Karnataka (20,668 sq km), and Tamil Nadu (6,914 sq km).
Despite these efforts, the finalization of the notification has been delayed. The Environment Ministry has issued multiple draft notifications since March 10, 2014, but the final notifications are still pending due to various state objections. The current draft is open for public suggestions and objections, giving stakeholders 60 days to respond before it can be finalized.
