Petition: Request to Hold the Final Notification on the Western Ghats ESA, Withdraw the Present Draft Notification, Reconstitute the High-Level Working Group and Prepare a Fresh Revised Draft Notification

Reference: MoEFCC Draft Notification No. S.O. 4106(E) on the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area, dated 27 July 2026

We are an organisation working for the conservation of flora and fauna, including human communities, for the past two decades along the Kali River in Joida Taluka of Karnataka. We believe that human beings are a part of biodiversity and that they should be protected along with the environment and wildlife.

The human habitat along the Kali River has suffered considerably over the past 50 years due to numerous major projects and conservation-related interventions, including five dams of the Kali Hydel Power projects, NPCIL Kaiga, Kali Tiger Reserve, Hornbill Conservation Reserve, national parks and several other projects and protected areas.

As a result, the livelihoods of forest-dwelling communities have been neglected, basic infrastructure has not been adequately provided, and large-scale migration of forest dwellers has occurred.

Despite these challenges, we continue to believe that the remaining natural resources must be conserved and protected. However, conservation should not become a conflict between conservation and development. The lives, livelihoods and basic needs of local communities appear to have been inadequately considered in the reports of the committee.

We therefore strongly object to the manner in which the report has been prepared, as it appears to have ignored local habitats, the impacts of previous projects, forthcoming State Government plans and other essential infrastructure requirements.

Hence, we hereby submit the following comments and suggestions:

 

Comments

3(1) a. Mining
We welcome the proposed ban on all types of mining, including ore mining, stone quarrying and large-scale sand mining.

However, the draft does not provide clarity regarding traditional and manual sand mining and stone quarrying. Such activities may be essential for basic construction and infrastructure development in local areas. At the same time, if manual sand extraction is completely banned, it may also have implications for the management and maintenance of water bodies.

Therefore, further clarification is required regarding traditional and manual extraction activities, including the conditions and safeguards under which they may be permitted.

b. Thermal Power Plants
We welcome the proposed ban on thermal power plants.

c. Industries
There is no sufficient clarity regarding industrial activities and plans.

A positive aspect of the draft is that Red Category industries will be banned. At the same time, Joida Taluka has been declared an organic taluka by the State Government. Therefore, clarification is required regarding industries and activities related to organic fertilisers, organic pesticides, processing of organic agricultural produce and other similar activities.

Small-scale industries such as fabrication of roofing materials, production of eco-friendly bricks, and manufacture of ready-made doors and windows should be promoted, as such activities can provide local employment and help reduce dependency on forest resources.

There is also no gas agency in the area. Therefore, subsidised cooking gas should be made available to local residents.

d. Building
Joida is a newly formed Taluka headquarters. However, many essential buildings and facilities, such as government employees' quarters, court buildings, bus depots and agricultural yards, have still not been constructed.

Therefore, there should be a clear local vision and provision for the development of such essential infrastructure.

There is also no sufficient clarity regarding the construction of new residential houses for local residents.

(3)(2)(i)
a. Hydro Power Plants
It is mentioned in the draft that hydro power plants are allowed.

However, the Kali River already has five dams on its course and has no carrying capacity for further projects. Therefore, in the context of this district, further hydroelectric projects should come under completely banned activities.

b. Orange and White Category Industries
Further clarification is required regarding Orange and White Category industries, particularly those that may be suitable or necessary for this area.

c. EIA and Public Hearings
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public hearings should be mandatory for all projects.

d. Diversion of Forest Land for Non-Forest Activities
Diversion of forest land for non-forest activities should be permitted only for essential infrastructure development and the livelihood requirements of local residents, subject to applicable environmental safeguards and legal provisions.

e. Consent of Gram Sabha
The consent of the Gram Sabha should be mandatory for all projects, wherever legally applicable, particularly for projects that directly affect local communities and their livelihoods.

 

Suggestions

1. Information in Local Languages
All notifications, orders and information relating to the Western Ghats ESA should be published in the relevant local languages so that local communities can understand the provisions and participate meaningfully in the process.

2. Regionalisation of the Draft Notification
The draft or final notifications should be regionalised. Each district should be considered as one unit, and all relevant issues concerning that district should be assessed comprehensively.

These should include:

• Water bodies
• Natural resources
• Existing projects
• Proposed projects
• Population
• Rehabilitation and relocation
• Employment
• Agriculture and agricultural activities
• Livelihoods
• Existing infrastructure
• Future infrastructure requirements.
  
  

The draft should be prepared with the participation and inputs of local organisations, experts, local bodies, senior farmers and citizens who possess long-term knowledge of the region.

 

Petition

We, the organisation representing local residents and working for the conservation of flora, fauna and human communities, strongly object to the present draft notification prepared on the basis of the High-Level Working Group led by Kasturirangan, as we believe that the assessment is incomplete and does not adequately reflect the ecological, social and developmental realities of the region.

We therefore request the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, to:

• Hold the final notification on the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area until the concerns raised by local communities and stakeholders are adequately addressed.
• Withdraw/reconsider the present draft notification.
• Reconstitute the High-Level Working Group with appropriate representation of independent experts, local organisations, local bodies and representatives of affected communities.
• Conduct a fresh and comprehensive assessment of the ecological, social and economic conditions of the Western Ghats.
• Consider the impacts of existing projects, including dams, industries, protected areas and other major infrastructure projects.
• Consider the habitats, livelihoods, infrastructure requirements and future plans of local communities;
  Prepare a fresh and revised draft notification based on the updated assessment.
• Invite fresh comments and suggestions from the public and affected stakeholders before issuing the final notification.
  
  

We believe that the Western Ghats must be conserved for future generations. At the same time, conservation policies must recognise that local communities are an integral part of these landscapes.

Conservation and development should not be treated as opposing goals. A scientifically sound, participatory and locally sensitive approach can protect both the ecological integrity of the Western Ghats and the legitimate needs and livelihoods of its people.

We therefore request all concerned citizens, organisations and stakeholders to support this petition and urge the Government of India to reconsider the present draft and undertake a fresh, inclusive and scientifically robust process.

Petition initiated by:
Kali Brigade, Joida

Location: Joida, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India