Environmental groups have criticised the current protests against the re‑issued draft notification that seeks to declare parts of the Western Ghats an ecologically sensitive area (ESA). They argue that the agitation is driven by vested interests rather than genuine conservation concerns.
The Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS) urged people to understand the rationale behind identifying ESAs before opposing the proposal. WPSS highlighted objectives such as protecting the Western Ghats’ biodiversity and wildlife habitats, reducing the risk of floods and landslides, safeguarding river basins and ensuring water availability during dry spells, mitigating climate‑change impacts, and promoting sustainable development. The organisation rejected claims that ESA restrictions would force people off their land or destroy livelihoods, stating that conservation does not mean evicting residents but preventing ecological damage caused by unregulated development.
According to the High Level Working Group (HLWG) on the Western Ghats, headed by K. Kasturirangan, the report distinguished between natural and cultural landscapes. Biologically rich natural landscapes were identified as ESA, while large cultural landscapes—settlements and agriculture—were excluded. The group said the ESA regulations mainly prohibit activities such as mining, quarrying, red‑category polluting industries and large construction projects exceeding 20,000 sq m, while existing agriculture, residences and small‑scale industries would remain unaffected.
The Animal and Nature Ethics Community (ANEC) Trust described the proposed ESA as a “shock absorber” that could reduce the ecological impact of unregulated development outside protected areas. The organisation alleged that the protests were ultimately aimed at protecting the interests of mining, forest encroachment and land mafias. The Union Environment Ministry’s seventh draft notification, issued on 27 July 2026, covers 56,825.7 sq. km across six states, including 9,993.7 sq. km in Kerala, and remains open for objections until 25 September 2026.
