Western Ghats ESA: Keralam submits recommendations to Centre, seeks limiting area to 8,590 sq km
The Kerala government has submitted a proposal to the central government to limit the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats to 8,590 sq km. The state aims to exclude populated areas, farmlands, and plantations from the environmental restrictions.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing tension between environmental conservation efforts and the socio-economic needs of local populations in ecologically sensitive regions.
Keralam has urged the Centre to limit the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in its Western Ghats region to forest areas covering 8,590.69 sq km.
M.G. Rajamanickam, Special Secretary, Environment and Climate Change, formally placed the State’s recommendations and suggestions before the Centre on Thursday (September 24, 2026) on behalf of the Keralam government, Minister for Electricity and Environment Sunny Joseph said in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday (September 25).
The deadline for submitting the recommendations ends on Friday.
Mr. Joseph said the Congress-led UDF government also intends to get a resolution seeking the restriction of ESA to forest areas passed in the State Legislative Assembly when it convenes next. “Our stand is that populated areas, farmlands and plantations should be excluded in their entirety and the ESA limited to forest regions,” Mr. Joseph said.
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