ESA For Western Ghats After Wayanad Disaster: Center swings into action after hundreds of people lost their lives in Wayanad disaster, takes steps to declare Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive area – AnyTV Post

New Delhi. After hundreds of people lost their lives in the landslide disaster in Wayanad, Kerala, now the central government has decided to take a big step. The central government has issued a draft notification to declare 56800 square kilometers of 6 states in the Western Ghats region, including 13 villages of Wayanad, as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA). Suggestions and objections have been sought on this draft notification within 60 days.

In the draft notification announced by the central government, it is proposed to declare 9993 square kilometers of the state including 13 villages of 2 talukas of Kerala as ESA. These villages are Vellarimala, Periya, Tiruneli, Pozhuthana, Thariyode, Thondarnad, Thrissileri, Achuranam, Chundel, Kottapady, Kunnathidawaka, Kidanganad and Nallapuzha. At the same time, the draft notification talks about making 20668 square kilometers in Karnataka, 6914 square kilometers in Tamil Nadu, 17340 square kilometers in Maharashtra, 1461 square kilometers in Goa and 449 square kilometers in Gujarat as ecologically sensitive areas.

The draft notification states that mining etc. should be completely banned in ESA areas. Along with this, the existing mines should also be completely closed within 5 years from the date of issuance of the final notification or on expiry of the current mining lease. Heavy rains in Wayanad recently caused a massive landslide. In this, 4 villages were completely buried under the debris. Apart from the death of hundreds of people, about 300 people are still reported missing. How terrible the disaster was can be gauged from the fact that dead bodies flowed 50 kilometers away through the river. Relief and rescue work is still going on in the affected area.