Current Affairs

Sign in
GeographyGS3
GS3

Western Ghats Eco Sensitive Area notification and development balance

Source:Indian Express ↗

Why It Matters

Crucial for MPSC aspirants tracking environmental governance, biodiversity hotspots, and committee recommendations concerning the Western Ghats.

Summary

An update on the government's stance and progress regarding the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) notification, focusing on balancing ecological preservation of the biodiversity hotspot with regional developmental aspirations across the concerned states.

Key Points

  • The government is advancing notifications regarding the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA), balancing environmental conservation with developmental needs.
  • The Western Ghats span across six states, including Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.
  • Major environmental panels like the Gadgil Committee (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel) and Kasturirangan Committee have previously given recommendations on regulating mining, quarrying, and large constructions in the region.

Important Terms

Eco-Sensitive Area Notification

A government-designated zone aimed at regulating development and protecting fragile ecosystems around protected areas under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

UPSC context

Important for MPSC/UPSC Environment & Ecology syllabus, testing policies on biodiversity conservation vs developmental trade-offs.

Source
Gadgil Committee

The expert panel headed by Madhav Gadgil that recommended classifying the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area with severe developmental restrictions.

UPSC context

Frequently tested in MPSC environmental governance regarding expert committees and conservation frameworks.

Source
Kasturirangan Committee

The high-level working group chaired by Dr. K. Kasturirangan that adopted a developmental-conservation balance, restricting ESA coverage to 37 percent of the Western Ghats.

UPSC context

Crucial for MPSC Environment and Geography questions comparing committee approaches to regional development.

Source
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

The nodal central ministry responsible for formulating environmental policies, wildlife protection laws, and issuing Eco-Sensitive Area notifications in India.

UPSC context

Essential for MPSC Polity and Governance papers, focusing on central administrative ministries and statutory bodies.

Source

Prelims Trap

Both the Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees recommended bringing roughly 37% of the Western Ghats under the Eco-Sensitive Area category.

Aspirants often confuse the two primary committees: Gadgil recommended declaring ~64-70% as ecological sensitive, whereas Kasturirangan recommended a more moderate ~37% under ESA.

Static Concepts Connected

Environment & Ecology Conservation

What are the key differences between the Gadgil Committee and Kasturirangan Committee reports on the Western Ghats?

  • Gadgil Approach: Gadgil Panel recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area with graded zones (ESA 1, 2, 3), covering 64-70% of the area.
  • Kasturirangan Approach: Kasturirangan Panel adopted a more developmental-friendly approach, restricting ESA to about 37% (approx. 60,000 sq km) categorized mainly as natural landscape.
  • Common Restrictions: Both committees recommended a total ban or strict regulation on mining, quarrying, sand mining, and thermal power plants in sensitive zones.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Western Ghats ESA vs. Developmental Federalism

    The ongoing Western Ghats ESA debate reflects the classic policy tension between rapid infrastructure expansion and UNFCCC climate commitments under India's NDC targets.

  • Biodiversity Hotspots & State Jurisdictions

    MPSC frequently tests the precise geographical extent and state boundaries of global biodiversity hotspots located within India.

Expect a multi-statement MPSC question comparing Gadgil (64-70%) vs Kasturirangan (37%) committee recommendations on Western Ghats ESA.

Linked PYQs · 2

Linked PYQs · 2

  • 2017MPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which of the following mountains are considered as one of the top biodiversity hot spots ?

  • 2024MPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Match the following pairs : | List-I | List-II | |---|---| | (a) Dr. Nitin Karmalkar Committee | (i) For implementation of National Education Policy - 2020 in Maharashtra | | (b) Nitin Karir Committee | (ii) To enquire the incident which happened during the distribution of Maharashtra Bhushan Award | | (c) Sunil Pawar Committee | (iii) To study why the rates of onion collapse. | | (d) Dr. K. Kasturirangan Committee | (iv) To make the syllabus for pre-primary to degree according to National Education Policy - 2020 | Code: (a) (b) (c) (d)