05 Aug 2024
The Centre has issued the fifth draft notification to declare over 56,800 sq km of the Western Ghats in six states as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA), including 13 villages in landslide-hit Wayanad in Kerala, inviting suggestions and objections within 60 days. The notification was issued on July 31, a day before a series of landslides in Wayanad district claimed over 290 lives.
The draft notification proposes to declare 9,993.7 sq km of Kerala, including 13 villages in two taluks of the landslide-hit district, as ecologically sensitive. In total, the ESA proposed in the notification covers 449 sq km of Gujarat, 17,340 sq km of Maharashtra, 1,461 sq km of Goa, 20,668 sq km of Karnataka, 6,914 sq km of Tamil Nadu, and 9,993.7 sq km of Kerala.
The draft notification suggests a complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining and that existing mines will be closed in a phased manner within five years “from the date of issue of the final notification or on expiry of the existing mining lease, whichever is earlier.”
It also bans new thermal power projects. It says existing projects can continue, but expansions will not be allowed. Large-scale construction projects and townships are also banned, but repairs and renovations of existing buildings are an exception.
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