Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged people not to misinterpret the Centre’s latest draft notification on the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), assuring that there is no reason for panic as the consultation process allows citizens and stakeholders to raise their concerns.
Responding to apprehensions over the seventh draft notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Sawant said that all objections and suggestions submitted during the consultation period will be reviewed by the Central Government before the final notification is issued.
The fresh draft notification, published in the Gazette of India on July 27, 2026, proposes bringing 1,461 square kilometres of Goa’s Western Ghats region under the Ecologically Sensitive Area category. The proposed ESA includes 108 villages spread across five talukas — Sattari, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Canacona and Ponda.
Among these, Sattari accounts for 63 villages, followed by Sanguem with 26, Dharbandora with 13, Canacona with five and Ponda with one village.
The latest proposal continues with the same geographical extent and village count mentioned in the sixth draft notification released on July 31, 2024.
Goa’s ESA proposal is part of the broader Western Ghats conservation plan covering 56,825.7 square kilometres across six states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Ministry has opened the draft notification for public comments, objections and suggestions for a period of 60 days. The final boundaries and provisions of the ESA will be determined after evaluating feedback from state governments, local communities, stakeholders and the expert committee involved in the process.
The proposed notification focuses on conserving the ecological importance and biodiversity of the Western Ghats while allowing activities that are compatible with environmental protection.
Under the draft rules, new mining, quarrying and sand mining activities will not be permitted within the notified ESA. Existing mining operations will be allowed only until the end of their lease period or for five years from the date of the final notification, whichever is earlier.
The draft also places restrictions on setting up new thermal power projects, expansion of existing thermal plants, new ‘Red Category’ industries and major construction or township projects exceeding specified limits.
Clarifying concerns among residents, the Ministry has stated that the ESA notification will not lead to displacement of local people and will not affect agriculture, plantations or ownership rights over private properties.
Existing residential buildings will continue to be eligible for repairs, renovation and expansion as per prevailing laws. Hydroelectric projects, if considered, will require detailed environmental assessments and strict safeguards.
The draft notification also requires adherence to the Forest Rights Act, including obtaining Gram Sabha consent wherever applicable for projects involving diversion of forest land.
The Centre will now examine all submissions received during the 60-day public consultation period before taking a final call on the Western Ghats ESA notification.
