Kerala seeks limits on Ecologically Sensitive Area designation

Kerala is preparing to lodge a formal request with the Union government to narrowly define the boundaries of a proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), limiting its scope to approximately 98 villages spanning 8,590.69 square kilometres across the state.

Official sources indicate that Kerala will advocate for special treatment and categorisation in how the ESA is applied within its territory. The state's position focuses on concentrating environmental protections specifically on forest regions and leased forest plantation areas, rather than extending restrictions across broader geographical zones.

The move reflects Kerala's effort to balance ecological conservation with developmental and agricultural interests across the state. By seeking to restrict the ESA designation, Kerala aims to protect farming communities and other economic activities that fall outside designated forest areas from potential restrictions that broader environmental classifications might impose.

The petition comes as various states across India navigate the implementation of central environmental policies and their regional implications. Kerala's proposal will likely form part of ongoing discussions between state and central authorities regarding the scope and application of ecological protection measures in the region.