33 Villages’ Future in Kerala’s Western Ghats Debate

Kerala is preparing its response to the Central Government’s latest proposal to identify ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats. The deadline for submitting objections and suggestions is September 25, and the state is working on a detailed submission before the deadline.

A major concern for Kerala is the inclusion of 33 settled villages within the proposed ESA. The state wants these villages to be kept completely outside the protected area, particularly because people have been living and working in these regions for many years.

Kerala is expected to argue that the ESA should mainly cover forested areas that require stronger environmental protection. The state wants inhabited areas, plantations and agricultural land to be excluded from the proposed zone.

The government has maintained that conservation measures should also take into account the needs of people living in the Western Ghats. Many communities in these areas depend on farming and plantations for their livelihoods, making land-use restrictions an important concern.

The Western Ghats are an ecologically important mountain range with rich biodiversity and many sensitive habitats. Protecting these areas is considered important for maintaining forests, water resources and wildlife.

At the same time, restrictions in ecologically sensitive areas can affect construction, agriculture and other activities in inhabited regions. Kerala’s response is therefore expected to focus on finding a balance between environmental protection and the livelihoods of local communities.

The state will submit its detailed objections and suggestions before the September 25 deadline. The final boundaries of the proposed ESA will depend on the government’s consideration of the responses received from Kerala and other stakeholders.