# Seventh Western Ghats eco-sensitive zone draft faces state resistance

2026-08-08T15:52:38+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Union Environment Ministry issued the seventh draft notification on July 27, defining Ecologically Sensitive Areas across 56,825 sq km in the Western Ghats, reports Mongabay India. The notification restricts mining, large construction, and industry. States including Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa have resisted, citing harm to agriculture, tourism, and real estate. The expert committee’s deadline has been extended to 2027. The process has been ongoing since the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports in the early 2010s.

## Coverage

- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/western-ghats-conservation-with-science-and-dialogue/article71291675.ece>
- india.mongabay.com <https://india.mongabay.com/2026/08/why-western-ghats-states-cant-agree-on-eco-sensitive-areas/>

Tags: biodiversity, Ecologically Sensitive Area, Environment Ministry, Karnataka, livelihoods, Western Ghats
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