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Topic 239 · Environment, Climate & Biodiversity

Western Ghats eco-sensitive area: Gadgil vs Kasturirangan

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Revise the 12 points first Book 1 RATNA

Core Trigger: On 27 July 2026 the Environment Ministry issued a seventh draft proposing 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area.
Coverage: It spans six States and 1,463 villages; Karnataka has 20,668 sq km, Maharashtra 17,340.
Panel Heads: Madhav Gadgil chaired the 2010–11 WGEEP; K. Kasturirangan, ex-ISRO Chairman, chaired the 2012–13 working group.
Restrictions: It bans mining, quarrying, new thermal plants, Red-category industry and buildings of 20,000 sq m or more.
Data / Report: Gadgil proposed all 1,29,037 sq km in three zones; Kasturirangan limited the ESA to about 37%, roughly 59,940 sq km.
Stakeholders: Hydropower needs a cumulative impact assessment and 30% lean-season flow; farming and plantations are unaffected.
India Link: Every draft since 2013 follows Kasturirangan boundaries; the sixth lapsed amid a MoEFCC–States deadlock.
Geography: The Western Ghats run about 1,500 km from the Tapi valley to Kanyakumari, parallel to the west coast.
Founded: The WGEEP reported on 31 August 2011; the Kasturirangan group, formed 17 August 2012, reported 15 April 2013.
Landmark: The 10 km eco-sensitive zone figure comes from the Wildlife Conservation Strategy-2002.
Statute: The Centre notifies ESAs under section 3(2)(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Definition: An ESA is notified by the Centre to ban or restrict harmful activity; a draft notification lapses if not finalised in time.

Question 1 of 10

The 27 July 2026 draft proposes how much of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area?

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Answer: (B) 56,825.7 sq km

Core Trigger: On 27 July 2026 the Environment Ministry issued a seventh draft proposing 56,825.7 sq km of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 1

Question 2 of 10

The draft ESA spans six States and how many villages?

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Answer: (D) 1,463

Coverage: It spans six States and 1,463 villages; Karnataka has 20,668 sq km, Maharashtra 17,340.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 2

Question 3 of 10

Which former ISRO Chairman chaired the 2012-13 Western Ghats working group?

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Answer: (D) K. Kasturirangan

Panel Heads: Madhav Gadgil chaired the 2010–11 WGEEP; K. Kasturirangan, ex-ISRO Chairman, chaired the 2012–13 working group.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 3

Question 4 of 10

The draft bans buildings of what built-up size or more?

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Answer: (B) 20,000 sq m

Restrictions: It bans mining, quarrying, new thermal plants, Red-category industry and buildings of 20,000 sq m or more.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 4

Question 5 of 10

Kasturirangan limited the ESA to about what share of the Western Ghats?

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Answer: (D) 37%

Data / Report: Gadgil proposed all 1,29,037 sq km in three zones; Kasturirangan limited the ESA to about 37%, roughly 59,940 sq km.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 5

Question 6 of 10

Which of the following is/are correct? 1. Hydropower needs a cumulative impact assessment and 30% lean-season flow. 2. Farming and plantations are banned.

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Answer: (A) Only 1

Stakeholders: Hydropower needs a cumulative impact assessment and 30% lean-season flow; farming and plantations are unaffected.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 6

Question 7 of 10

The Western Ghats run about 1,500 km from the Tapi valley to where?

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Answer: (C) Kanyakumari

Geography: The Western Ghats run about 1,500 km from the Tapi valley to Kanyakumari, parallel to the west coast.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 8

Question 8 of 10

On which date did the WGEEP report?

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Answer: (B) 31 August 2011

Founded: The WGEEP reported on 31 August 2011; the Kasturirangan group, formed 17 August 2012, reported 15 April 2013.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 9

Question 9 of 10

The 10 km eco-sensitive zone figure comes from which document?

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Answer: (C) Wildlife Conservation Strategy-2002

Landmark: The 10 km eco-sensitive zone figure comes from the Wildlife Conservation Strategy-2002.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 10

Question 10 of 10

Which of the following is/are correct? 1. An ESA is notified by the Centre to ban or restrict harmful activity. 2. A draft notification lapses if not finalised in time.

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Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Definition: An ESA is notified by the Centre to ban or restrict harmful activity; a draft notification lapses if not finalised in time.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 239, point 12

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