The Union government's seventh draft proposal to declare vast areas of the Western Ghats as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESA) has reignited fears among local residents. Based on the Kasturirangan report, the move has triggered widespread protests in the Malnad region.
- The Union government issued a seventh draft for ESA declaration based on the Kasturirangan report.
- Massive farmer protests have erupted in Shivamogga against the proposed restrictions.
- Local communities demand a physical land survey to exclude settlements and farms from ESA boundaries.
- The conflict stems from decades-old debates between conservationists and local residents.
Fear has once again gripped the residents of the Western Ghats. On July 27, 2026, the Union government issued its seventh draft notification proposing to designate large portions of this ecologically vital mountain range as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). Based on the findings of the Kasturirangan report, the notification allows a 60-day window for objections, but the announcement has already sparked intense unrest.
In a significant show of dissent, hundreds of farmers from the Hosanagara taluk in Shivamogga district marched from the Karanagiri Ganesha temple to Hosanagara town on August 29. This protest is part of a larger wave of discontent spreading across the Malnad region. The central demand of these protesters is clear: the government must conduct a physical survey of the land to ensure that human settlements and cultivated agricultural areas are excluded from the proposed ESA boundaries.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this is not merely an environmental debate but a critical struggle for survival and land rights. The imposition of ESA regulations could severely limit construction, farming, and local economic activities, potentially displacing communities that have coexisted with the forest for generations.
The survival of the Western Ghats depends on finding a middle ground between ecological preservation and the socio-economic rights of its inhabitants.
Historical Background: A Decades-Old Struggle
The current tension is a continuation of a saga that began nearly forty years ago. In 1987, a historic march was organized by scientists and activists from the northern and southern tips of the Ghats to raise awareness about the region's ecological health. This movement eventually led to the formation of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) in 2010, chaired by renowned ecologist Madhav Gadgil.
The Gadgil report advocated for a community-centric model, suggesting financial incentives for farmers to protect ecosystem services. However, due to intense opposition from various state governments, the Ministry replaced the approach with a High-Level Working Group (HLWG) led by K. Kasturirangan. The resulting Kasturirangan report, submitted in 2013, proposed declaring roughly 37% of the Western Ghats as an ESA, a move that remains highly controversial to this day.
| Feature | Gadgil Report (WGEEP) | Kasturirangan Report (HLWG) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Philosophy | People-oriented & Ecosystem Payments | Regulatory & Implementable Model |
| Proposed ESA Area | Broad ecological conservation | Approx. 37% of the Ghats |
| Primary Focus | Community-led management | Balancing development and restriction |
Under the proposed ESA rules, activities such as mining, sand extraction, and large-scale construction projects (exceeding 20,000 sq m) could face severe restrictions or outright bans. For the farmers of Shivamogga, these rules represent a direct threat to their traditional way of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESA)?
An ESA is a protected area where human activities are regulated to minimize environmental impact and preserve biodiversity.
2. Why are farmers protesting?
Farmers fear that ESA status will restrict their ability to farm, build homes, and carry out traditional livelihoods on their ancestral lands.
