CURRENT AFFAIRS | 22 JUNE 2026
Twelve years after the first draft, the Centre is finally ready to notify Eco-Sensitive Areas across the Western Ghats — reviving the long battle between ecology and development, and between the Centre and reluctant states.
What Happened
The Centre is set to notify Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats in at least three states — Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra have largely agreed, with Goa close behind. Over 56,825.7 sq km is proposed for demarcation across six states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) — smaller than the nearly 60,000 sq km originally identified. Karnataka and Kerala continue to hold out.
The basis is the Kasturirangan panel (High-Level Working Group, 2013, led by former ISRO chairman K. Kasturirangan), which recommended ~37% of the Western Ghats as ESA — a sharp reduction from the Gadgil panel (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, 2011, led by Madhav Gadgil), which proposed ~64% in graded zones (ESZ-1/2/3) and was rejected as too strict. The sixth draft notification was issued in 2024 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. In ESAs, mining, quarrying, large ‘red category’ polluting industries and new thermal power plants are banned, and new construction above 20,000 sq m built-up area is restricted.
🌿 Environmental & Legal Framework
ESAs are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the umbrella law empowering the Centre to protect ecologically fragile zones. The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the eight “hottest biodiversity hotspots,” older than the Himalayas and rich in endemic species. The policy debate pits the stricter Gadgil panel (2011, ~64%) against the development-friendlier Kasturirangan panel (2013, ~37%). The Centre-state friction reflects federalism, since environment is a shared concern but states fear curbs on land use and livelihoods.
🎯 Why This Matters for CLAT
The Western Ghats ESA saga is a classic CLAT environment + federalism theme. Lock the Gadgil (~64%) vs Kasturirangan (~37%) contrast, the EPA 1986 as the notifying law, UNESCO World Heritage status, and the prohibited activities. It dovetails with Article 48A and 51A(g) on environmental duty.
📌 Key Facts
| Area proposed | Over 56,825.7 sq km as ESA |
| States | 6 total; Karnataka & Kerala holding out |
| Gadgil panel (2011) | ~64% as ESA, ESZ-1/2/3 zones (rejected as too strict) |
| Kasturirangan (2013) | ~37% as ESA (current basis) |
| Notifying law | Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; 6th draft 2024 |
| Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site; biodiversity hotspot |
🧠 Memory Hook
“Gadgil GREEDY 64, Kasturirangan KIND 37” — Gadgil’s stricter 64% was rejected; Kasturirangan’s milder 37% became the working basis under EPA 1986.
📝 Test yourself — take the 10-question quiz below:
Practice Quiz — 10 CLAT-Style Questions
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