Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Zones (Ecology, Environment and Climate Change)
Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Zones (Ecology, Environment and Climate Change)
Why In News:
The Central Government has indicated its preference to notify Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats in at least three states initially, signalling a partial rollout strategy after years of opposition from states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Goa over livelihood and development concerns.
What are Eco-Sensitive Zones/Areas?
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Areas notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as a 'shock absorber' to protect core biodiversity areas. They restrict certain industrial, mining, and development activities.
Western Ghats ESA: Based on the Kasturirangan Committee Report (2013), which recommended 37% of the Western Ghats (about 59,940 sq km across 6 states) be declared ESA. The earlier Gadgil Committee (2011) recommended 64% as ESA.
Western Ghats
Extent: Stretches approximately 1,600 km along the western coast of India across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Inscribed in 2012 as one of the world's eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity. Contains 39 heritage sites.
Biodiversity: Home to at least 325 globally threatened species. Includes tigers, elephants, leopards, the lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, and numerous endemic species.
Source of major rivers: Origin of rivers including the Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, and Periyar.
Key Facts for Prelims
Kasturirangan Committee (2013): Chaired by Dr. K. Kasturirangan (former ISRO Chairman). Recommended 37% of Western Ghats as ESA. Less stringent than the Gadgil Report.
Gadgil Committee (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel): Chaired by ecologist Madhav Gadgil. Recommended 64% of Western Ghats as ESA with a three-zone classification system.