In July 2022, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) issued a draft notification on the western ghats as an ECZ to protect the rich biodiversity. 

About Western Ghat

• It spread across 6 states namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu.
• In 2011, Gadgil panel had recommended that the whole Western Ghats should be declared as “Ecologically Sensitive Area” because of its dense forests and the presence of a large number of endemic species.
  • A second panel led by Kasturirangan reviewed the Gadgil report. 
  • The Central Government issued a draft notification for declaring the Western Ghats Eco-sensitive Area, following the panel's recommendations.

Draft Notification, 2022

• Regulation of Human activities 
  • Activities Restricted:  Mining, quarrying and sand mining, ‘Red’ category industries, New thermal power projects etc.
  • Regulated: Hydropower project etc.
  • Unrestricted: All existing healthcare establishments, agriculture & plantation activity etc. 
• Decision Support & Monitoring Centre for Western Ghats: To assess and report on status of ecology of Western Ghats.

Issues

• Draft notification could harm local residents' livelihoods and development activities.
• States claim no scientific survey determined the ESA's size before the draft was issued.