Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 25: Keralam has proposed limiting the extent of the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats to 8,590.69 sq km, seeking the complete exclusion of inhabited areas, agricultural land and plantations from its ambit.
The state has also prepared a revised ESA map identifying the areas proposed to be included and submitted its recommendations to the Centre, Environment Minister Sunny Joseph said.
The proposal seeks to reduce the ESA from the existing 9,993.7 sq km to 8,590.69 sq km and the number of villages covered from 131 to 98.
The proposed exclusions include 23 villages in Idukki, four in Kottayam, two in Thiruvananthapuram, and one each in Wayanad and Palakkad.
“Our stand is that populated areas, farmlands and plantations should be excluded in their entirety and the ESA limited to forest regions,” Joseph said.
The 2013 Kasturirangan Committee had proposed declaring 13,108 sq km covering 123 villages in Keralam as ESA, triggering widespread protests.
Following the recommendations of the Oommen V. Oommen Committee, the proposed area was subsequently reduced to 9,993.7 sq km, comprising 9,107 sq km of forest land and 886.7 sq km of non-forest area.
The state is now seeking exclusion of the entire non-forest portion and wants the ESA restricted to forest regions.
Joseph said the recommendations were prepared after examining suggestions and objections from farmer organisations, elected representatives, individuals and local bodies.
Keralam has argued that its case is “unique” due to its relatively small geographical area, high population density and forest cover accounting for 29.15 per cent of its total area.
The government has also raised concerns that additional restrictions in inhabited and agricultural areas could affect development, agriculture and people’s livelihoods, particularly in view of existing environmental regulations concerning paddy lands, wetlands and tree felling.
The state government plans to bring a unanimous resolution on the issue during the upcoming Assembly session, Joseph said.
If required, a delegation led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will visit New Delhi to press the Centre for a final decision on the matter.Keralam is also seeking a final notification from the Centre, saying notifications issued since 2014 have remained in draft form.The revised ESA plan and map are also expected to be made available on the State Environment Department’s website.
