Govt Issues 5th Draft Notification to Declare Over 56K Sq Km of Western Ghats Eco Sensitive

New Delhi: The Centre has issued a fifth draft notification to declare over 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats across six states, including 13 villages in Kerala's landslide-hit Wayanad, Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), inviting suggestions and objections within 60 days. The notification was issued on July 31, a day after a series of landslides claimed over 290 lives in Wayanad district.

The draft notification proposes to declare 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala, including 13 villages in two talukas of the landslide-hit district, ecologically sensitive.

Overall, the notification includes 449 sq km in Gujarat, 17,340 sq km in Maharashtra, 1,461 sq km in Goa, 20,668 sq km in Karnataka, 6,914 sq km in Tamil Nadu, and 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala in the proposed ESA.

The draft notification suggests a complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining, with existing mines to be phased out within five years "from the date of issue of the final notification or on the expiry of the existing mining lease, whichever is earlier".

It also prohibits new thermal power projects. It says the existing projects can continue to operate but there will be no expansion allowed.

Large-scale construction projects and townships are also prohibited, with exceptions for repair and renovation of existing buildings