Kerala Congress Demands Data Clarity on Ecologically Sensitive Area Designations

The Kerala Congress (M) has intensified pressure on the state government over the designation of Ecologically Sensitive Areas, with party chairman Jose K. Mani, MP, expressing serious reservations about the impact on farming communities. The controversy centres on the inclusion of agricultural land in 25 villages spread across nine districts in the state's updated ESA notification.

Mani has demanded that the government release detailed village-wise data regarding the ESA designations to allow public scrutiny and informed debate on the matter. The party has also called for the government to table a comprehensive White Paper in the Kerala Legislative Assembly outlining the rationale, methodology, and potential implications of the expanded ESA boundaries.

The ESA row reflects growing tensions between environmental conservation efforts and livelihood concerns in Kerala. Agricultural communities have expressed apprehension that stricter ESA regulations could impose significant restrictions on farming activities and land use practices, threatening agricultural productivity in affected villages.

The demand for transparency comes as environmental protection measures continue to face resistance from farming constituencies, who argue that their interests must be balanced against conservation objectives. The Kerala Congress (M) has positioned itself as a voice for agrarian concerns, signalling that any environmental policy implementation must come with adequate stakeholder consultation and clear communication of potential impacts.