Farmers Protest Ecological Sensitive Zone Proposal

Summary of Key Points Related to the Proposal for Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats:

Protests by Farmers:

• Farmers from Hosanagara taluk, Shivamogga district, are protesting against the draft notification for declaring large parts of the Western Ghats an ESA.
• The protest march of about nine kilometers highlights demands for a physical survey of land to exclude human settlements and cultivated areas from ESA boundaries.

Historical Context and Developments:

• The movement for conserving the Western Ghats began with a significant march in 1987, involving environmentalists and scientists.
• An expert panel, the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), was established in 2010 under Prof. Madhav Gadgil to recommend conservation measures. The panel's report was submitted in 2011 but faced delays and resistance before release.
• The WGEEP report advocated for a “people-oriented model of development,” emphasizing financial incentives for farmers, similar to the Australian Soil Carbon Accreditation Scheme.

Recommendations and Opposition:

• A High-Level Working Group (HLWG) was later formed to prepare an actionable plan, submitting a report in 2013 that proposed declaring 37% of the Western Ghats, approximately 59,940 sq km, as an ESA, with Karnataka's share being 20,668 sq km.
• Proposed restrictions include bans on mining, red-category industries, and limitations on housing projects, which have been opposed by local state governments, especially in Kerala and Karnataka.

Current Notification and Public Response:

• The most recent draft notification (July 27, 2026) proposes a total ESA area of 56,825.7 sq km, affecting 1,449 villages across multiple districts in Karnataka.
• The public has raised fears over existing hardships under current forest laws, which limit access to basic amenities.

Comparative Responses:

• Residents are calling for a similar approach to that of Kerala, which reduced its ESA area significantly after conducting a physical survey, thereby minimizing impact on agricultural and urban development.

Legislative Actions and Future Steps:

• The Karnataka Cabinet announced a special legislative session to discuss the draft notification and concerns over the Kasturirangan report. The Cabinet is poised to oppose the ESA draft as articulated by various leaders.

Socioeconomic Concerns:

• Farmers, particularly those cultivating plantation crops, express concerns about restrictions on fertilizers and agricultural practices, fearing negative impacts on their livelihoods.
• Community activists and organizations are organizing protests and collecting objections to influence government decisions regarding the ESA.

Judicial and Administrative Aspects:

• Ongoing legal battles over the disclosure of WGEEP's comprehensive report highlight struggles for transparency in environmental governance.
• Voter mobilization and political engagement have intensified as part of the push to prioritize local livelihoods in ESA discussions.

Environmental Considerations:

• The debate over ESA designation places ecological preservation against economic and social realities faced by residents in the Western Ghats, emphasizing the need for balanced conservation strategies.

Conclusion: The issue surrounding the proposed ESA reflects deep-rooted tensions between ecological conservation efforts and the socioeconomic needs of communities reliant on agriculture in the Western Ghats region. The outcomes of ongoing legislative discussions and public protests will significantly impact both environmental policies and local livelihoods in the area.