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Why the Kasturirangan Report Is Back in the News
Western Ghats ESA: Why the Kasturirangan Report Is Back in the News
The Western Ghats are once again in focus in September 2026 after the Karnataka Legislature rejected the latest proposal concerning the Kasturirangan Committee report and the declaration of parts of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). The issue brings together environment protection, biodiversity, livelihoods, development and Centre–State relations, making it important for UPSC and State PCS examinations.
What is the Kasturirangan Report?
The Kasturirangan High-Level Working Group was constituted to examine the earlier recommendations of the Madhav Gadgil Committee on the conservation of the Western Ghats.
The report recommended declaring about 59,940 sq km, or roughly 37% of the Western Ghats, as an Ecologically Sensitive Area. Its approach attempted to distinguish relatively natural landscapes from areas with greater human habitation and economic activity.
The Western Ghats extend across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and are recognised for their exceptional biodiversity. The region was also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
Why is Karnataka opposing the proposal?
Karnataka's Legislature unanimously rejected the latest draft in its present form on September 22, 2026. The State has raised concerns about the identification of ESA boundaries and the possible inclusion of agricultural land, plantations and inhabited areas.
Karnataka has sought more detailed ground-level surveys and plot-level mapping before final boundaries are determined. The debate therefore involves an important question: should satellite-based mapping alone determine environmentally sensitive boundaries, or should detailed physical verification also be undertaken?
The Centre's latest draft notification, issued in July 2026, proposes an ESA covering about 56,825.7 sq km across the six Western Ghats states.
Why is the Western Ghats important?
The Western Ghats are significant for:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Protection of forests and wildlife
- Regulation of regional climate and rainfall
- Origin and catchment of several important rivers
- Prevention of soil erosion
- Sustainable livelihoods of local communities
At the same time, the region contains farms, plantations, villages and infrastructure. Therefore, environmental regulation has to consider both ecological protection and the concerns of communities living in the region.
UPSC Relevance
For UPSC Prelims, candidates should remember:
Western Ghats → Biodiversity hotspot → Six States → Gadgil Committee → Kasturirangan Committee → Ecologically Sensitive Area
For UPSC Mains GS-III, the issue can be linked with:
- Environmental governance
- Biodiversity conservation
- Sustainable development
- Cooperative federalism
- Livelihood versus conservation debates
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
The controversy also highlights the importance of ground-truthing, accurate geographical demarcation and participation of local communities in environmental decision-making.
Conclusion
The Western Ghats ESA debate is not simply about conservation versus development. It involves questions of how ecological boundaries should be identified, how environmental regulations should be implemented and how the interests of local communities can be incorporated into conservation policy. The continuing discussion makes it an important current-affairs topic for Civil Services aspirants.
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