ESA protests driven by ‘hidden agenda’, allege environmental groups

Environmental groups have criticised the ongoing protests against the re-issued draft notification proposing to declare parts of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA), alleging that vested interests are behind the agitation.

Conservation groups alleged that those opposing the draft have a “hidden agenda”. The Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS) said people should understand the rationale and objectives behind identifying ESAs before opposing the proposal. The organisation said the objectives included protecting the Western Ghats’ biodiversity and wildlife habitats, reducing the risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides, safeguarding river basins and ensuring water availability during dry spells, mitigating the impacts of climate change and promoting sustainable development.

The organisation rejected concerns that ESA restrictions would force people off their land or destroy their livelihoods.

“The Western Ghats is one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. Conservation does not mean evicting people but preventing ecological damage caused by unregulated development,” said WPSS president N. Badusha.

Environmentalists said the High Level Working Group (HLWG) on Western Ghats, headed by K. Kasturirangan, had distinguished between natural and cultural landscapes, with the latter comprising human-dominated land uses such as settlements and agriculture. The HLWG report had identified the biologically rich portions of the natural landscapes as ESA, while large cultural landscapes were excluded from the ESA. Environmental protection would further help safeguard farmers and local communities from the adverse impacts of climate change, conservationists added.

On concerns over restrictions on agriculture and other activities, they said ESA regulations primarily sought to prohibit activities such as mining and quarrying, red-category polluting industries and large construction projects exceeding 20,000 sq m. Existing agriculture, residences and small-scale industries would not be affected, environmentalists claimed.

ESA a ‘shock observer’

The Animal and Nature Ethics Community (ANEC) Trust, an organisation working on animal welfare and wildlife conservation, described the proposed ESA as a “shock absorber” that could reduce the ecological impact of unregulated development outside protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

The organisations alleged that the protests against the ESA proposal were ultimately aimed at protecting the interests of mining, forest encroachment and land mafias.

The Union Environment Ministry issued the seventh draft notification on July 27, 2026, after the previous draft expired. The latest draft proposes to cover 56,825.7 sq. km across six States, including 9,993.7 sq. km in Keralam. The draft remains open for objections and suggestions until September 25, 2026.