Western Ghats: MoEFCC Declares 56,825.7 Sq Km as Ecologically Sensitive Areas
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Species, protected areas & wetlands· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The MoEFCC issued a seventh draft notification to declare 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) to regulate industrial activity.
Background
The draft covers regions across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It proposes specific bans on mining and thermal power plants while extending an expert committee's tenure until July 2027 to resolve demarcation disputes.
Facts for Prelims
- PlaceWestern Ghats: A mountain range in Western and Central India, recognized as a biodiversity hotspot.
- FactArea declared as ESAs: 56,825.7 sq km.
- BodyMoEFCC: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal body for declaring ESAs.
- FactExpert committee tenure extension: Valid until July 2027.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the conflict between industrial development and ecological conservation in biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats. How can India balance these competing interests?
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory friction: Balancing state-led industrial growth with federal mandates on environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.
- Demarcation hurdles: Technical and administrative complexities in defining precise boundaries for ecologically sensitive zones.
- Enforcement gap: Difficulty in monitoring and policing prohibited activities like mining in remote, high-biodiversity terrain.
Keywords: Biodiversity Hotspots · Ecologically Sensitive Areas · Sustainable Development · Environmental Governance · Demarcation Disputes
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.