Western Ghats ESA notification lacks clarity on agricultural land use: UPASI

The United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI) has raised concerns about the lack of explicit protections for agricultural activities in the proposed Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notification during the Kerala Planters' Association's annual media briefing.

While the preamble of the draft notification acknowledges that land within the ESA can be used for agricultural purposes, UPASI has stressed that this provision must be formally incorporated into the operative sections of the notification. The absence of clear statutory language risks leaving agricultural stakeholders vulnerable to restrictive interpretations during implementation, the organization cautioned.

The Western Ghats region, which spans multiple states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, hosts significant tea and spice cultivation. Planters have long expressed concerns about regulatory measures that could impact livelihoods across the region's agricultural sector.

UPASI's call for explicit codification underscores broader policy concerns that are expected to feature prominently in industry discussions as the notification moves through the regulatory approval process. The organization has indicated that clarity and certainty in environmental regulations are essential for the sustainability of agriculture in the ecologically sensitive region.