Keralam government recommends excluding Sabarimala from ESA limits
The Kerala government has requested that the Sabarimala shrine and its surrounding infrastructure be excluded from the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) limits. While the state seeks to reduce the total ESA area, existing buffer zone regulations for the Periyar Tiger Reserve are expected to remain.
Why it matters
The proposal balances religious pilgrimage management with environmental conservation mandates in a sensitive forest region.
The Keralam government has recommended that Sabarimala be excluded from the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) limits in its proposal submitted to the Union government.
The map prepared by the State reportedly excludes Sabarimala Sannidhanam, Pampa and the Nilakkal parking ground from the proposed ESA boundaries.The Neelimala route connecting Pampa to Sannidhanam has also been excluded.
Sources point out that the Swami Ayyappan Road has not been exempted, and the Sabarimala route from Pampa to Perunad remains within the proposed ESA limits. The route is used for transporting essential goods to Sannidhanam.
The proposals form part of the recommendations formally submitted by Keralam to the Centre on September 24 based on the seventh draft notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in