Keralam urges Centre to limit eco-sensitive areas to forests

GS-III – Environment and Ecology | Biodiversity Conservation | Environmental Governance | Sustainable Development

Why in News?

• Kerala: Kerala government asked the Centre to limit the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in its Western Ghats region to forest cover of 8,590.69 sq. km.
• Exclusion of populated areas, farmlands and plantations: One such issue that has been raised by the State is exclusion of populated economies.
• Recommendations: The various recommendations made by the Kerala State Special Secretary, Environment and Climate Change to the Centre.
• Villages: Kerala seeks number of villages under ESA at 98.

Background

• Kasturirangan Committee-2013:  Proposed an ESA of 13,108 sq. km covering 123 villages in Kerala.
• Rival Protests: The proposal triggered widespread protests due to concerns over restrictions on agriculture, settlements and development.
• Final Draft: After further study, the Union Environment Ministry cut down on its ESA proposal to 9,993.7 sq. km through a draft notification.
• Current State Demand: Kerala is now fighting to further cut ESAs to 8,590.69 sq. km, primarily covering forest areas.

Why Does Kerala Wish That ESA Is Confined To Forests?

• High Population Density: India has a high population density, with many towns or settlements close to ecologically sensitive areas, often right in the hinterland of springs and riverine ecosystems.
• Agriculture: Agricultural land directly relates to rural livelihoods and regional economies.
• Plantations: Plantation continues to be a major source of agrarian economy in the State.
• Environmental Restrictions: More environmental restrictions could impact development projects that involve infrastructure, housing and other developments.
• Existing Laws: The State contends that there are already stringent laws in place to protect forest, environment, paddy fields and wetlands.
• State-driven Peculiarities: Kerala state calls itself as unique based on its size, population density and forest area.

Ecological Significance

• Biodiversity: Both of these areas are known to have very high levels of endemism and they are large biodiversity hotspots.
• Forest Ecosystems: Supports biodiversity and soil conservation; carbon sequestration and watershed protection.
• Water Security: Forests of the Western Ghats serve as vital catchments of south Indian rivers.
• Climate Regulation: Forests help in rainfall regulation and restoration of ecological balance.
• According to Level of Disaster Risk: Sustainable conservation of natural forests and steep slopes, has been scientifically verified as a protection from ecological degradation (atmospheric pressure excursions), reducing the risk level.

Key Issue: Conservation vs Livelihoods

• Need to Conserve: To preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services, prevent destructive activities in ecologically fragile areas of the world.
• People Related Issues: Wider boundaries of ESA may create livelihood issues for villagers, farmers and plantation workers.
• One-size-fits-all Problem: The next chapter explores the on-edge discrepancy in ecological regulation that will be driven from differences in population, land use and forest cover and ecological sensitivity: a one-size-fits-all problem.
• Participatory Approach: Local communities and State governments need to be involved in determining boundaries and permissible activities.

Way Forward

• Scientific Issue: ESA should follow ecological sensitivity and carrying capacity, not just administrative boundaries.
• Forest Protection through a Forest Lens: Critical natural forest, wildlife and ecological corridor habitats need enhanced protection.
• Differentiated Regulation: Adopt restrictions tailor-made to ecological vulnerability.
• Secure Livelihoods: Make a distinction between sustainable agriculture / plantation activities and activities that result in serious ecological degradation.
• Cooperation Between Centre and States: The ESA should be finalised in consultation with the Centre and Kerala on an ongoing basis.
• Participation in Implementation: There should be real participation of Gram Sabhas and local communities.

Conclusion

• A Balancing Act: Western Ghats conservation needs to balance ecological security with livelihood and development requirements.
• Context-Specific Policy: Kerala being a state with high population density and a settlement pattern almost similar to other states, thus requires the extent of scientific differentiation to be particularly context-specific policy.
• Sustainable Development: The goal should be to conserve ecologically important forests but allow sustainable livelihoods and prudent construction.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. The demand to restrict Ecologically Sensitive Areas in Kerala’s Western Ghats to forest regions highlights the tension between ecological conservation and livelihood concerns. Discuss the challenges and suggest a balanced approach.