# Kerala farmers demand exclusion from ESA draft notification 2026-08-08T11:44:02+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Union government's seventh draft notification for Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats, issued July 27, designates 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala. The Hindu reports that 131 villages across 12 districts fall under ESA, including nearly 1,500 sq km (3.7 lakh acres) of farmlands and human habitations. Farmers' groups in Idukki and other hilly regions are demanding state intervention to exclude populated areas from the final list. Leaders like Rasak Chooravelil and Alex Ozhukayil have urged an all-party meeting and publication of spatial maps. The 60-day window before final notification is seen as the last chance to secure exemptions. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Tags: Ecologically Sensitive Area, environment, ESA notification, Farmers, Kerala, Western Ghats Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-farmers-demand-exclusion-from-esa-draft-notification/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-farmers-demand-exclusion-from-esa-draft-notification/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.