Kerala seeks exclusion of homes, farms, and plantations from proposed ESA

The government of Kerala is actively engaging in discussions with India's Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change regarding the new draft notification for establishing Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA). Environment Minister Sunny Joseph announced that the state is finalizing its official response to the July 27 draft and plans to submit its recommendations within the mandated timeline. The state's primary demand is the exclusion of human settlements, agricultural lands, and plantations from areas subject to stringent environmental regulations.

During recent dialogues with a high-level team of experts appointed by the central government, state officials—led by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and including cabinet ministers—presented a well-substantiated case for the state. According to Joseph, the discussions yielded a positive response, and the state is now consolidating its final report, which includes detailed maps, cadastral surveys, and empirical data to formally secure these concessions from the Centre.

The issue dates back to the Kasturirangan report, which initially proposed designating 123 villages spanning 13,108 sq km as ESA, incorporating both forests and human-inhabited zones. Following significant public protests, the Oommen Chandy administration established a dedicated committee to conduct village-level reviews. Those efforts led to a reduction in the proposed area to 9,993.7 sq km, with human settlements removed from the scope, a change reflected in the 2014 notification and the current 2026 draft.

Kerala's current proposal aims to further refine the designation to 8,590 sq km across 98 villages. Within this framework, 9,107 sq km comprise forest regions, while 886.7 sq km are identified as non-forest land. Minister Joseph emphasized that Kerala faces unique challenges, with a population density of 1,000 people per square kilometer—double that of neighboring states like Karnataka or Tamil Nadu. Given that 29.15% of the state is already under official forest cover and subject to existing protection laws, the government argues that further restrictions could severely impede regional development.

In closing, Minister Joseph reaffirmed that Kerala remains committed to environmental stewardship, already enforcing local regulations like the Paddy Land and Wetland Act and Coastal Regulation Zone norms. However, he insisted that the state's ecological protection must not come at the cost of the livelihood and economic well-being of its residents. The government is prepared to present its arguments strongly, supported by precise geographical data, ensuring that the needs of the people remain at the forefront of the environmental policy debate.