Western Ghats panel gets one more year as deadlock continues over eco-sensitive area, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• An expert committee, constituted by the Union Environment Ministry in 2022, received a one-year extension until July 2027.
• The extension is due to the ongoing deadlock in finalizing the demarcation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats region.
• A July 31, 2024, draft notification, the sixth iteration, had proposed 56,825.7 sq km across six states as ESAs.
• The committee is headed by Sanjay Kumar, a former Director-General of Forests.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Western Ghats is a 1,600 km long mountain chain, recognized as one of the world's eight "hottest biodiversity hotspots".
• It harbors unique flora and fauna, including over 5,000 flowering plants, 139 mammals, 508 birds, and 179 amphibian species, with many being endemic.
• The previous draft notification, published on August 2, 2024, has lapsed, creating uncertainty about a seventh re-notification.
• Talks to finalize ESAs are reportedly in advanced stages for Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat, with Maharashtra submitting a revised proposal.
• The expert committee recently held consultations with the Kerala government, nearing resolution on demarcating 8,500 to 8,800 sq km.
• The committee includes six other members from fields like ecology, remote sensing, space application, and geology.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Western Ghats: A mountain range along India's western coast, recognized globally for its high biodiversity and endemism.
• Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs): Geographically delineated areas with high ecological value that require protection from developmental activities.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: A biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.