UPSC Key-22nd June 2026: Western Ghats, Rakhigarhi and Power Exchange Market

The Indian government is preparing to finalize and notify the demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats, covering over 56,000 square kilometers. The decision follows years of negotiations with states like Kerala and Karnataka, which have been holding out on agreeing to the boundaries. The ESAs are intended to protect the region's fragile ecosystem from developmental activities such as mining, tourism, and infrastructure projects. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is conducting DNA tests and facial reconstructions on skeletal remains found at Rakhigarhi, a Harappan civilization site in Haryana. The findings could provide insights into the lives and culture of people who lived there 5,000 years ago. The Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) is also involved in research to understand the cultural practices and social structures of the ancient civilization.