The Centre has issued a draft notification, declaring more than 56,800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). Spread across six states, the ESA includes 13 villages from two taluks in Kerala's Wayanad, where landslides recently wreaked havoc, killing at least 338 people as of Saturday.
The central government, which issued the draft notification on July 31 following the Wayanad landslides, has invited suggestions and objections within 60 days.
Scientists believe that the landslides were caused by various factors including climate change, deforestation, irregulated plantations and mining in the fragile terrain.
If the draft notification is ratified, around 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala will be declared ecologically sensitive. This covers 13 villages in Wayanad, including Mananthavady taluk's Kidanganad, Noolpuzha, Periya, Thirunelli, Thondernad and Thrissilery villages as well as Vythiri taluk's Achooranam, Chundel, Kottappadi, Kunnathidavaka, Pozhuthana, Thariyod and Vellarmala villages.
Besides 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala, five other states along the Western Ghats are named in the notification. These include 20,668 sq km in Karnataka, 17,340 sq km in Maharashtra, 6,914 sq km in Tamil Nadu, 1,461 sq km in Goa and 449 sq km in Gujarat.
Since March 10, the environment ministry has issued six draft notifications, with the latest being issued on July 31. The final notification is pending amid objections from states.
The draft notification proposed to ban mining, quarrying and sand mining to be completely banned. The existing mines have to be phased out within five years "from the date of issue of the final notification or on the expiry of the existing mining lease, whichever is earlier".
New thermal power projects are also not allowed, as per the notification. However, the existing projects can continue operating.
It also suggests that highly polluting industries in the 'Red' category should be banned besides prohibitions on large-scale construction projects and townships. Repair and renovation of existing buildings will not be restricted.
These recommendations have faced resistance from state governments, industries and local communities.