NEW DELHI: In response to the recent landslides in Wayanad that claimed 338 lives, the Indian government has proposed a new draft notification designating over 56,800 square kilometers of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). This draft, issued on July 31, includes 13 villages in Wayanad, Kerala, which were severely impacted by the landslides.
The ESA designation, affecting six states, aims to protect the fragile Western Ghats region. In Kerala alone, approximately 9,993.7 square kilometers will be designated as ecologically sensitive, covering villages in Mananthavady and Vythiri taluks. These villages include Kidanganad, Noolpuzha, Periya, Thirunelli, Thondernad, Thrissilery, Achooranam, Chundel, Kottappadi, Kunnathidavaka, Pozhuthana, Thariyod, and Vellarmala.
The draft notification, which is open for public comments and objections for the next 60 days, also impacts other states along the Western Ghats: Karnataka (20,668 sq km), Maharashtra (17,340 sq km), Tamil Nadu (6,914 sq km), Goa (1,461 sq km), and Gujarat (449 sq km).
Key measures proposed include a complete ban on new mining, quarrying, and sand mining activities, with existing operations required to phase out within five years. New thermal power projects would be prohibited, though current ones may continue. The draft also suggests banning highly polluting industries and restricting large-scale construction projects, while allowing repairs and renovations of existing structures.
The draft has met with opposition from state governments, industries, and local communities, and the final notification will be issued after considering these objections.
Latest Updates:
Congress to Build 100+ Homes in Wayanad Following Devastating Landslides
Aster DM Healthcare Pledges Rs 4 Crore for Wayanad Landslide Relief Efforts
Wayanad Landslides: BJP's V Muraleedharan Calls for Accountability Amid Rescue Operations Continue
Celebrities Rally to Support Wayanad Landslide Victims with Generous Donations