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Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and Western Ghats Conservation

PYQs

12

Articles

2

Momentum

31

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC frequently examines environmental regulations, conservation efforts, and the socio-economic impacts of such policies, particularly in biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats. The ongoing conflict between development and conservation, and the role of expert committees and federal relations in policy implementation, are recurring themes.

Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are ecologically fragile areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. They serve as buffer zones around Protected Areas or as regions of high ecological significance, aiming to regulate activities that could harm the environment while balancing conservation with local livelihoods.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Legal Basis

Notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Purpose

To regulate development activities and protect biodiversity in fragile ecosystems.

Western Ghats Context

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biodiversity hotspot, is a key region for ESA notification, leading to significant policy debates.

Core Conflict

Implementation often faces opposition from local communities and state governments due to concerns over livelihood impacts and development restrictions.

Purpose of ESA

To protect ecologically fragile regions by regulating activities around Protected Areas and other sensitive zones.

Western Ghats Debate

A deeply divided debate exists over conservation measures for the Western Ghats, including the proposed ESA notification.

Gadgil Committee (WGEEP)

Recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats as an ESA, categorizing it into three zones with varying levels of restrictions.

Kasturirangan Committee (HLWG)

Proposed a smaller area (37% of the Western Ghats) as an ESA, focusing on natural landscapes rather than cultural ones, with less stringent regulations than Gadgil.

Reference table

Comparison of Gadgil and Kasturirangan Reports on Western Ghats

FeatureGadgil Committee (WGEEP) Report (2011)Kasturirangan Committee (HLWG) Report (2013)
ApproachGraded, participatory, bottom-up, with local body involvement.Partitioned landscape: ~37% as ESA (natural), rest as cultural landscape.
DemarcationDivided entire Western Ghats into three Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ 1, 2, 3) based on sensitivity.Recommended ~37% (59,940 sq km) of Western Ghats as ESA.
RestrictionsStricter, comprehensive restrictions across ESZs.Ban on mining, sand extraction, red category industries in ESA; restrictions on construction.
ReceptionStrong opposition from State governments and industries for being too stringent.Opposed by State governments and local communities for livelihood impact, despite being a 'diluted' version.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Governance
Conceptual areaSustainable Development
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Law & Policy
Conceptual areaBiodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Conceptual areaFederal Structure & Centre-State Relations

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeNotifies esas
Gadgil Committee (WGEEP)Provided recommendations
Kasturirangan Committee (HLWG)Provided recommendations
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)Notifies and implements
State Governments (e.g., Karnataka, Kerala)Consulted and affected by implementation
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • ESAs are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to protect fragile ecosystems.
  • Western Ghats is a major biodiversity hotspot, subject to ESA notification.
  • Key reports: Gadgil Committee (WGEEP) and Kasturirangan Committee (HLWG) provided differing recommendations.
  • Primary conflict: balancing environmental conservation with local livelihoods and development.
  • State governments often oppose central notifications, demanding physical surveys and exclusion of human habitations.

Elimination traps

Body vs treaty — Distinguish between the recommendations of the Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees, as they differ significantly in scope and approach for the Western Ghats ESA.

Treaty = agreement between states; body = institution.

Constitutional vs statutory — The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, under which ESAs are notified, is a statutory law, not a constitutional provision.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2024Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Stateme...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

Environment & EcologyOpen question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

Environment & EcologyOpen question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2019Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2016Factual recall, Policy measures

‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to -

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environmental GovernanceSustainable DevelopmentEnvironmental Law & PolicyBiodiversity Conservation & Protected Areas
Prelims 2014· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Open question
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Factual recall, Policy measures

‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to -

Open question
Prelims 2019· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

Open question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

Open question

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Stateme...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

Open question

Fear revisits residents of Western Ghats

04 Sep 2026 · Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are legally designated zones under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, aimed at protecting ecologically fragile regions. The Western Ghats ESA notification, based on recommendations from the Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees, has sparked significant debate due to its impact on local livelihoods, development activities, and centre-state relations.

Read article

Western Ghats: Native habitats reduced to one-third and hydrological regulation disrupted, says review article

08 Oct 2026 · ESAs are regulatory zones around protected areas to safeguard fragile ecosystems. The Western Ghats ESA proposal has been contentious, with differing recommendations from the Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees regarding the extent and nature of restrictions, highlighting the complex balance between conservation and socio-economic development.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and Western Ghats Conservation

Often confused with

Global Economic Governance and Development

Open notesOften confused with

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Open notesOften confused with

Federal Structure & Centre-State Relations

Open notes
Part of

Western Ghats Conservation

Coming soon

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 12 linked questions on Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and Western Ghats Conservation in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and Western Ghats Conservation

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the W...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Stateme...

2024·Environment & Ecology
Solve

‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to -

2016·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

2019·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

2019·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

2026·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes ...

2023·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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