The notification of the Government to Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Areas (WGEAs) in At Least Three States is a remarkable achievement for environmental conservation in India. The Ghats is a biodiversity hotspot, contributing to the ecological balance, water supply and climate regulation.
The government is considering the proposal at this stage with the intention of safeguarding the ecologically sensitive areas from unsustainable development while maintaining sustainable livelihoods for people. Thus, the news of the Government notifying 3 Western Ghats Ecosensitive Areas in 3 States has caused great stir among environmentalists, policymakers, and civil service aspirants.
What Are the Western Ghats?
The Ghats are a mountain range parallel to the West Coast of India. They extend over a length of some 1600 km across several states, and are important to the national climate and hydrology. The area is rich in forests, special ecosystems, and thousands of species of flora and fauna. Hence, the proposal to notify Western Ghats Eco-sensitive Areas in At Least Three States is perceived as a critical conservation action.
States Covered by the Western Ghats
| State | Presence of Western Ghats |
| Gujarat | Small Northern Section |
| Maharashtra | Extensive Coverage |
| Goa | Significant Coverage |
| Karnataka | Major Forest Areas |
| Kerala | Dense Biodiversity Regions |
| Tamil Nadu | Southern Ghats Region |
What Are Eco-Sensitive Areas?
- Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs) or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are areas that have been identified by the Government of India as ecologically fragile and declared around Protected Areas like National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, although these areas do not suffer from legal protection.
- They are “shock absorbers” to curb human actions on sensitive ecosystems.
- ESAs are notified based on the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- The goal is to harmonise environmental protection and sustainable development.
- Some practices such as mining, quarrying and emission-intensive industries are either restricted or even banned.
- They may be used generally for sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism activities and local community purposes.
- That is also something ESAs do for our biodiversity by protecting wildlife habitats, forests and watersheds.
- They also foster climate resilience and sustainable ecological security long into the future.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
| Question (with Options) | Exam | Year | Answer |
| The Western Ghats are recognized by UNESCO as a: A) Biosphere Reserve B) World Heritage Site C) Ramsar Site D) Geopark | UPSC Prelims | 2014 | B) World Heritage Site |
| Which of the following rivers originates in the Western Ghats? A) Godavari B) Krishna C) Kaveri D) All of the Above | SSC CGL | 2023 | D) All of the Above |
| The Western Ghats run parallel to which coast of India? A) Eastern Coast B) Western Coast C) Northern Coast D) Southern Coast | SSC CHSL | 2022 | B) Western Coast |
| Which committee recommended declaring large parts of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas? A) Swaminathan Committee B) Gadgil Committee C) Sarkaria Committee D) Kelkar Committee | UPSC Prelims | 2018 | B) Gadgil Committee |
| The Kasturirangan Committee is associated with: A) River Linking B) Forest Rights Act C) Western Ghats Conservation D) Coastal Regulation Zone | State PCS | 2023 | C) Western Ghats Conservation |
| Which of the following states is NOT traversed by the Western Ghats? A) Karnataka B) Kerala C) Maharashtra D) Odisha | SSC GD | 2024 | D) Odisha |
| The highest peak of the Western Ghats is: A) Doddabetta B) Anaimudi C) Mahabaleshwar Peak D) Kudremukh | UPSC CDS | 2022 | B) Anaimudi |
| Anaimudi Peak is located in which state? A) Karnataka B) Tamil Nadu C) Kerala D) Goa | SSC CPO | 2021 | C) Kerala |
| Which endangered primate is endemic to the Western Ghats? A) Hoolock Gibbon B) Lion-tailed Macaque C) Rhesus Macaque D) Slow Loris | UPSC Prelims | 2020 | B) Lion-tailed Macaque |
| Silent Valley National Park, known for tropical evergreen forests, is located in: A) Karnataka B) Goa C) Kerala D) Maharashtra | SSC CGL | 2022 | C) Kerala |
| Which mountain pass connects Kerala and Tamil Nadu through the Western Ghats? A) Nathu La B) Palghat Gap C) Shipki La D) Zoji La | UPSC Prelims | 2016 | B) Palghat Gap |
| The Western Ghats are one of the world’s: A) Desert Ecosystems B) Biodiversity Hotspots C) Coral Reef Regions D) Mangrove Zones | UPSC Prelims | 2013 | B) Biodiversity Hotspots |
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Conclusion on Eco-Sensitive Status
Government to Notify Ghats Eco-Sensitive Areas in at least Three States heralds the satisfying end of one significant segment of perhaps India’s most important environmental jigsaw. The Western Ghats, which host diverse biological resources crucial for water security, climate moderation, and the livelihood of millions. See Government to Declare Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Areas in at Least Three States, 7 Save Environment ‘Policy Markets’ balance between conservation and development. When done right, the initiative has the potential to bolster environmental protections and enable sustainable growth as well as ecological resilience for future generations.
