What happened now: Union Environment Ministry reissued the Western Ghats ESA draft
The Union Environment Ministry reissued a draft notification proposing an ecologically sensitive area (ESA) across the Western Ghats for conservation purposes. The ministry’s renewed draft is its seventh draft notification in more than a decade.
The renewed draft is dated 27 July 2026. The ministry opened the proposal for public objections for 60 days. After the objection window closes, the Centre will consider a final notification.
If the ESA is finally notified, the draft’s stated restrictions and controls inside the ESA include:
Prohibition on mining, quarrying, and sand mining within the ESA.Prohibition on new thermal power plants within the ESA.Prohibition on certain industries and major construction projects within the ESA.Regulation of activities such as hydel (hydropower) generation.
The draft retains the proposed ESA extent at 56,825.7 sq km across six Western Ghats states, with state-wise area shares.
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