Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA)
Legal Basis and Process
An Eco-Sensitive Area is a regulatory buffer notified by the Central Government to restrict specified industrial and developmental activities in ecologically fragile regions. It is a distinct legal category from a Protected Area (National Park/Wildlife Sanctuary) under the Wildlife Protection Act.
- ESAs are notified by the Central Government under Section 3(2)(v) read with Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which empowers it to restrict or prohibit industries, operations, or processes in specified areas.
- Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 lists factors the Centre must weigh before imposing such restrictions, including biological diversity, proximity to protected areas, and land-use patterns.
- A "draft" notification under this framework has no binding legal force; it only invites objections and suggestions from the public and affected state governments before a "final" notification can be issued.
- The Western Ghats ESA process has remained at the draft stage through seven successive notifications since 2013 without ever being finalised.
● Tracked since July 28, 2026 · last seen August 01, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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