Save the Western Ghats: Implement the ESA Notification Now
The Issue
Save the Western Ghats: Protect Our Rivers, Forests and Future
The Western Ghats are an interconnected ecological system of forests, rivers, streams, wetlands and grasslands that sustain water, biodiversity and livelihoods across Karnataka and far beyond.
The 7th Draft Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) Notification provides an important minimum framework for protecting this fragile landscape. However, concerns have been raised about its impact on people living in the Western Ghats.
These concerns deserve to be heard.
But they should be addressed through consultation, safeguards, clarifications and appropriate amendments — not by rejecting or indefinitely delaying the ESA.
We call upon the Government of Karnataka to NOT reject the 7th Draft ESA Notification. Support its finalisation as a necessary minimum protection framework, while addressing genuine concerns of farmers, residents and local communities.
Why does this matter?
The Western Ghats are not merely a collection of individual forests or rivers. They function as an interconnected landscape.
When rivers are diverted, mountains are fragmented, and forests are cleared, the combined ecological impact can extend far beyond the individual project.
Protecting the Western Ghats is therefore also about protecting water security, agriculture, biodiversity, forests and livelihoods.
At the same time, recognise that people living in the Western Ghats must not be ignored. Genuine concerns of farmers, residents and local communities should be addressed fairly. Conservation and livelihoods should not be treated as opposing goals.
The 7th Draft ESA should be finalised as a minimum protection framework and strengthened where necessary through further safeguards and amendments.
Our message is simple:
🌿 Protect the Western Ghats.
💧 Protect our rivers and water.
🌳 Protect our forests and biodiversity.
🌾 Protect sustainable livelihoods.
👨👩👧 Protect the future of communities.
We urge the Government of Karnataka to act before irreversible ecological damage makes these choices even harder.
Sign the petition. Raise your voice. Share it.
Save the Western Ghats. Save Our Future.
Click to Read > Draft Western Ghats ESZ 27-July-26
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The Issue
Save the Western Ghats: Protect Our Rivers, Forests and Future
The Western Ghats are an interconnected ecological system of forests, rivers, streams, wetlands and grasslands that sustain water, biodiversity and livelihoods across Karnataka and far beyond.
The 7th Draft Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) Notification provides an important minimum framework for protecting this fragile landscape. However, concerns have been raised about its impact on people living in the Western Ghats.
These concerns deserve to be heard.
But they should be addressed through consultation, safeguards, clarifications and appropriate amendments — not by rejecting or indefinitely delaying the ESA.
We call upon the Government of Karnataka to NOT reject the 7th Draft ESA Notification. Support its finalisation as a necessary minimum protection framework, while addressing genuine concerns of farmers, residents and local communities.
Why does this matter?
The Western Ghats are not merely a collection of individual forests or rivers. They function as an interconnected landscape.
When rivers are diverted, mountains are fragmented, and forests are cleared, the combined ecological impact can extend far beyond the individual project.
Protecting the Western Ghats is therefore also about protecting water security, agriculture, biodiversity, forests and livelihoods.
At the same time, recognise that people living in the Western Ghats must not be ignored. Genuine concerns of farmers, residents and local communities should be addressed fairly. Conservation and livelihoods should not be treated as opposing goals.
The 7th Draft ESA should be finalised as a minimum protection framework and strengthened where necessary through further safeguards and amendments.
Our message is simple:
🌿 Protect the Western Ghats.
💧 Protect our rivers and water.
🌳 Protect our forests and biodiversity.
🌾 Protect sustainable livelihoods.
👨👩👧 Protect the future of communities.
We urge the Government of Karnataka to act before irreversible ecological damage makes these choices even harder.
Sign the petition. Raise your voice. Share it.
Save the Western Ghats. Save Our Future.
Click to Read > Draft Western Ghats ESZ 27-July-26
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Petition created on 12 September 2026