The Kerala government recommends excluding Sabarimala from the ESA limits

Swami Ayyappan Road has not been exempted and the Sabarimala route from Pampa to Perunad remains within the proposed ESA limits, according to sources. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

The Kerala government, in its proposal submitted to the Union government, has recommended that Sabarimala be excluded from the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) limits.

The map prepared by the state reportedly excludes Sabarimala Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal parking lot from the proposed ESA boundaries. The Neelimala route connecting Pampa and Sannidhanam has also been ruled out.

Sources point out that Swami Ayyappan Road has not been exempted and the Sabarimala route from Pampa to Perunad remains within the proposed ESA limits. The route is used to transport essential goods to Sannidhanam.

The proposals are part of the recommendations that Keralam formally submitted to the Center on September 24, based on the seventh draft notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate.

However, despite the proposed exemptions, the restrictions under the existing buffer zone regulations are likely to remain in place as the Sabarimala sanctuary and surrounding areas fall within the Periyar Tiger Reserve landscape.

In its recommendations, the government has proposed to reduce the ESA limit in Kerala from 9,993.7 km2. to 8,590.69 sq km.

Published – 13 Oct 2026 19:10 IST