**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1210, addressing the final notification of the Kasturirangan Report demarcating the Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) in Kerala. The response provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, states that the Ministry has re-published the draft notification on ESA of Western Ghats and is considering comments and suggestions. The answer is to be presented on December 8, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Draft Notification on ESA of Western Ghats:**
* The Ministry has re-published the draft notification on Ecologically Sensitive Area of Western Ghats, vide S.O. 3060(E) dated 31.07.2024.
* The notification covers an area of 56,825 square kilometers across six states: Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
* **Kerala's Revised Proposal:**
* The Government of Kerala submitted a revised proposal on 02.11.2024.
* The proposal requests the declaration of 8590.69 sq. km in 98 villages across 29 talukas in 12 districts as Ecologically Sensitive Area.
* The proposal is based on the verification of suggestions received from the Local Self Government Department.
* **Comments and Objections:**
* The Ministry has received comments/objections/suggestions on the draft notification S.O. 3060 (E) dated 31.07.2024 from various stakeholders.
* These comments were sent to the State Governments for providing comments/views on the matter.
* **Examination of Issues:**
* Issues raised by State Governments, including Kerala, are being examined by a Committee constituted by the Ministry.
* The examination considers conservation aspects, rights, privileges, needs, and developmental aspirations of the region.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Governments (including Kerala)**
* **Impact**: The State Governments are involved in providing comments and views on the ESA draft notification and need to address concerns raised by the Ministry.
* **Action Required**: They must provide comments/views on the matter.
**Stakeholder: Local Self Government Department**
* **Impact**: Their suggestions have been considered in the revised proposal.
* **Action Required**: No specific action is listed.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change**
* **Impact**: Responsible for the re-publication of the draft notification, reviewing comments, and examining issues raised by State Governments.
* **Action Required**: Ministry must continue to examine issues raised and make revisions to the draft notification accordingly.
**Stakeholder: Residents of the Western Ghats Region**
* **Impact**: The determination of the Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) will impact their rights, privileges, needs, and developmental aspirations.
* **Action Required**: No specific action is listed.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The primary ministry responsible for the notification regarding Eco-Sensitive Area of Western Ghats.
Kasturirangan Report: Report recommending the demarcation of Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) in Kerala.
Kerala: State where the Kasturirangan Report's recommendations on ESA are being considered.
Western Ghats: Region whose rich biodiversity is to be protected under this draft notification.
S.O. 3060(E): Draft notification on Ecologically Sensitive Area of Western Ghats
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1210
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
Kasturirangan Report on ESA in Kerala
1210. ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has approved the final notification of the recommendations of the
Kasturirangan Report demarcating the Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) in Kerala;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to consider the special circumstances, like High
Density of population in Kerala before the final notification; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a)to (d) In order to protect the rich biodiversity of Western Ghats region, this Ministry has re-
published the draft notification on Ecologically Sensitive Area of Western Ghats, vide S.O. 3060(E)
dated 31.07.2024 with an area of 56,825 square kilometer spread across six States, namely, Goa,
Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, based on the report submitted by the High
Level Working Group (HLWG).
The Government of Kerala has submitted revised proposal on 02.11.2024, requesting for declaring
8590.69 sq. km. area in 98 villages spread across 29 talukas in 12 districts as Ecologically Sensitive
Area based on the verification of the suggestions received from the Local Self Government
Department.
Moreover, Ministry has also received comments/objections/suggestions on the draft notification S.O.
3060 (E) dated 31.07.2024 from various stakeholders and the same were sent to the State
Governments for providing Comments/Views on the matter.
The issues raised by the respective State Governments, including Kerala are examined by a
Committee constituted by the Ministry in a holistic manner, keeping in view the conservation aspects
of the disaster prone pristine ecosystem, and the rights, privileges, needs and developmental
aspirations of the region.
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