The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued the seventh draft notification proposing the declaration of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area, retaining Goa’s proposed eco-sen sitive area at 1,461 sq km covering 108 villages — the same extent as proposed in the sixth draft issued in July 2024. The draft noti fication, published on July 27, 2026, invites objections and suggestions from the public within 60 days of its publication in the Gazette of India before the Centre finalises the notification.
According to the draft, the proposed ESA in Goa cov ers 108 villages across five talukas — 63 in Sattari, 26 in Sanguem, 13 in Dharbandora, five in Canacona and one in Ponda. Goa forms part of the proposed 56,825.7 sq km Western Ghats ESA spread across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Ministry said the final extent of the ESA would be determined after considering recommendations from the state governments, stakeholders and the Expert Commit tee constituted for the purpose. The draft seeks to conserve the biodiversity and eco logical integrity of the Western Ghats while allowing sus tainable development. It proposes a complete ban on new mining, quarrying and sand mining within the notified ESA.
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Existing mining operations will have to cease either on the expiry of their leases or within five years of the final notifi cation, whichever is earlier. The proposal also prohibits new thermal power projects and the expansion of existing thermal power plants with in the ESA. It bars the establishment of new ‘Red Catego ry’ polluting industries and imposes restrictions on large construction and township projects beyond the prescribed limits. However, the Ministry clarified that the repair, renova tion and expansion of existing residential buildings will continue to be permitted in accordance with applicable laws.
Hydroelectric projects may be allowed, subject to stringent environmental safeguards and cumulative im pact assessments. The Centre further stated that the notification would neither displace local residents nor affect agriculture, plan tation activities or property ownership. It also mandates compliance with the Forest Rights Act, including obtaining Gram Sabha consent, wherever applicable, for projects in volving the diversion of forest land. Following the 60-day consultation period, the Ministry will examine the objections and suggestions received be fore issuing the final notification.
