ESA protests driven by ‘hidden agenda’, allege environmental groups

Environmental groups have accused protests against the proposed declaration of parts of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA) of having a hidden agenda. The Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS) alleged that those opposing the draft had ulterior motives. The group stated that the ESA proposal aimed to protect the Western Ghats' biodiversity, wildlife habitats, reduce the risk of natural disasters, safeguard river basins, ensure water availability, mitigate climate change impacts, and promote sustainable development.

WPSS president N. Badusha emphasized that conservation does not mean evicting people but preventing ecological damage from unregulated development. The High Level Working Group (HLWG) on Western Ghats, led by K. Kasturirangan, differentiated between natural and cultural landscapes, designating biologically rich areas as ESA while excluding large cultural landscapes.

ESA regulations primarily seek to prohibit activities like mining, polluting industries, and large construction projects, while existing agriculture, residences, and small-scale industries would remain unaffected. The Animal and Nature Ethics Community (ANEC) Trust called the ESA proposal a "shock absorber" that could minimize ecological damage from unregulated development outside protected areas.

Environmentalists argued that the protests against the ESA proposal were likely driven by mining, forest encroachment, and land mafia interests. The seventh draft notification, covering 56,825.7 sq. km across six states, including 9,993.7 sq. km in Kerala, remains open for objections until September 25, 2026.