Eco-Sensitive Area (Environment)
Eco-Sensitive Area (Environment)
Why In News:
The panel examining the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area notification has been granted a further extension, as the deadlock among stakeholder states over the extent of the protected area continues.
Source: The Indian Express, Page 7, 28 July 2026, Western Ghats panel gets one more year
Background
Global biodiversity hotspot: The Western Ghats span Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and select clusters were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
Long pending issue: The debate on declaring Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) has continued for over a decade, since the Gadgil Committee report of 2011.
Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, 2011 (Gadgil Committee): Recommended declaring 64% of the Western Ghats, about 1,29,000 sq km, as ecologically sensitive, with a bottom up governance approach.
Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs)
Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs), also known as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs), are regions identified for special environmental protection due to their rich biodiversity, fragile ecosystems, or critical ecological functions.
The Central Government notifies such areas under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, ensuring a regulatory framework for their conservation.
In these zones, certain activities are prohibited, some are strictly regulated, and others are promoted, so that development does not lead to ecological degradation.
Prohibited activities include mining, polluting industries, and large hydro projects; regulated activities cover tree felling, tourism infrastructure, and resource use; while eco-friendly practices like organic farming, rainwater harvesting, and renewable energy are permitted and promoted.
Granting ESA status ensures that any development project undergoes stricter environmental scrutiny, thereby safeguarding ecological balance.
Significance of ESZs
ESZs act as “shock absorbers” for protected areas, reducing the adverse impact of human activities on fragile ecosystems.
They function as transition zones, gradually shifting from areas of high protection (like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries) to areas with lower levels of protection, ensuring balanced and sustainable development.
Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986
The Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986 was enacted to ensure the protection and improvement of the environment in India.
It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities responsible for preventing environmental pollution and addressing region-specific environmental challenges.
The Act is considered one of the most comprehensive environmental legislations, providing a broad framework for environmental protection and regulation across the country.