Western Ghats ESA: Fresh Draft Covers 56,825.7 sq km
Why in the news
The Western Ghats ESA is still not final over ten years after its first draft. A new draft followed the July 2026 lapse of the old one.
About the Western Ghats
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Extent | About 1,600 km, Tapi valley to Kanyakumari; Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
| Area | About 1.64 lakh sq km (Kasturirangan group) |
| Status | Hotspot; World Heritage Site (2012) with 39 serial sites |
| Highest peak | Anamudi, 2,695 m, Kerala |
| Rivers | Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Tungabhadra, Periyar |
Older than the Himalayas, the range strongly influences the south-west monsoon.
About ESAs
- A zone declared under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for fragile ecosystems; works as a buffer.
- Mining, quarrying, thermal plants and heavy polluters are barred or tightly controlled.
- Farming, horticulture and eco-tourism are generally allowed with conditions.
Exam angle
- Parent law: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Highest peak: Anamudi.
- Related terms: Kasturirangan group, endemism.