Recently, the Union Environment Ministry reissued the seventh draft notification for an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) covering the Western Ghats a

Question

Recently, the Union Environment Ministry reissued the seventh draft notification for an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) covering the Western Ghats across how many states?

TodaySprint · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is Option C: Six. The seventh draft notification for the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) was reissued by the Union Environment Ministry on 27 July 2026. The proposed ESA covers 56,825.7 sq. km across six states—Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Gujarat. Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to conserve ecologically fragile regions. The Western Ghats is one of the world's major biodiversity hotspots and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The draft proposes a 60-day public consultation period before the final notification is issued. The expert committee headed by Sanjay Kumar has been extended till July 2027 to examine objections and suggestions. The proposed ESA prohibits activities such as mining, quarrying, sand mining, new thermal power plants, certain industries, and large construction projects, while hydel power projects remain regulated. The Goa portion of the seventh draft retains 108 villages within the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area.

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Four

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Five

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Seven

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Eight

Recently, the Union Environment Ministry reissued the seventh draft notification for an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) covering the Western Ghats across how many states?

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Recently, the Union Environment Ministry reissued the seventh draft notification for an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) covering the Western Ghats across how many states?

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