CPI(M) urges the Center to withdraw its move to include the inhabited areas of the Western Ghats in the ESA

The CPI(M) state secretariat has urged the central government to withdraw its move to include inhabited areas in the Western Ghats in the list of Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs).

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the party says the Center has rejected Kerala’s request to completely exclude 31 villages and 92 villages partially from the proposed ESAs in Idukki and Wayanad districts. A final announcement is expected to be made soon.

The CPI(M) said the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had taken steps to address the concerns of people living in high-impact regions by recommending that only forest areas be included in the ESA boundaries while protecting inhabited areas, agricultural land and plantations.

The state government submitted its recommendations to the Central Expert Committee based on a detailed study conducted by the District Scrutiny Committee chaired by the District Collector and comprising experts including officials from the Forest Department. The recommendations were also based on the opinions of people from the agricultural sector.

The CPI(M) state secretariat alleged that the expert committee had rejected Kerala’s proposal without conducting the necessary investigation including field surveys. She urged the state government to seriously look into the issue and take urgent intervention against the Centre’s move. The party also said it would oppose any action that could adversely affect the lives of people in the mountainous areas.

The party noted that the expert committee was appointed by the Center after a consensus could not be reached with the states on the recommendations of the Kasturirangan committee. It claimed that instead of seeking consensus by considering the objections raised by the states, the expert panel took a unilateral decision by rejecting Kerala’s proposal.

Kerala sought exclusion of 4,548 sq km. of land spread across 123 villages, including inhabited areas, agricultural land and plantations, from ESAs identified by the Centre. Under the proposal, 31 villages would be completely excluded from ESA, including 28 villages in Idukki.

The party added that the LDF government’s proposal was aimed at ensuring protection of forests and the environment while preserving land and people’s rights. It claimed that if the areas are declared ESAs, several government offices, hospitals, schools, houses and places of worship will have to be demolished and restrictions on new construction and other activities will be imposed.

Published – 24 Jun 2026 19:32 IST