Western Ghats ESA Draft Notification Threatens Agriculture, Tourism; Residents Raise Concern

Kozhikode: The draft notification on ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats has become a looming threat for people living in the hill regions. With only weeks left before the final notification, the agricultural and tourism sectors in Kozhikode district are also facing concern. The lack of significant intervention from the government to resolve the issue is adding to the worries of farmers and those dependent on the tourism sector.

The Centre has once again issued the draft notification without accepting the report submitted by the LDF government seeking to exclude inhabited areas and agricultural land. In Kozhikode district, Chakkittappara and Chembanoda villages in Koyilandy taluk; Kattippara, Kedavoor, Kodanchery, Nellipoyil, Puthuppady and Thiruvambady in Thamarassery taluk; and Kavilumpara and Thinur villages in Vadakara taluk have been included in the Western Ghats ESA.

Tourist destinations including Kakkayam, Kariyathumpara, Peruvannamuzhi, Thusharagiri and Amarad will also be affected by the notification. Projects such as the renovation of the ghat and National Highway development will also be adversely affected.

The Centre issued the draft notification concerning ecologically sensitive areas on July 27. It will become the final notification after 60 days. The deadline for submitting complaints is September 25.

The previous LDF government had maintained that agricultural land, plantations and inhabited areas should be completely excluded and only forest areas should be included in the list. It had also taken specific steps towards this. The Centre has reissued the earlier notification without even considering the report submitted by Keralam. The UDF leadership, which staged major protests when it was in the Opposition, is now remaining silent.