Western Ghats | Ecologically Sensitive Areas Explained | Latest Update | Drishti IAS English

For admission to the IAS GS Foundation Course, click on the link:https://drishti.xyz/upsc-course-yt-eng IAS Mains Courses: https://drishti.xyz/ias-mains-yt-ias-... NCERT Course: https://drishti.xyz/ncert-yt-ias-english , IAS Prelims Courses:https://drishti.xyz/ias-prelims-yt-ia... IAS Optional Courses: https://drishti.xyz/optional-yt-ias-e... To get the PDF, subscribe to our Telegram channel: https://drishti.xyz/Drishti-IAS-Engli... ************************************************************************** The Western Ghats have become the centre of a major policy and environmental debate in India, as six states—Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu—are divided over the proposed declaration of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs). The Centre has been attempting for over a decade to notify large parts of the Western Ghats as ESAs under the Kasturirangan Committee recommendations, aiming to protect one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. However, strong disagreements have delayed implementation. While Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat have reportedly agreed to the proposal, Karnataka and Kerala continue to oppose it, citing concerns over agricultural land, plantations, settlements, and economic impact. The proposed restrictions could affect mining, quarrying, thermal power plants, and large infrastructure projects in the region. The Western Ghats stretch across six Indian states and are home to rich biodiversity, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and biosphere reserves, making their conservation crucial for ecological balance. In this video, we explain the Western Ghats ESA dispute, state-wise positions, environmental concerns, and what lies ahead for this important policy decision. Dear Viewers, The ‘Latest Update’ Programme is Team Drishti IAS English's new initiative. The main objective of this program is to cover all the relevant and important topics from UPSC and state PSC points of view. In this program, one topic of current affairs will be discussed in a concise manner. This will make it easy for aspirants to understand the news. A lot of direct questions asked in the preliminary examinations are covered in this program. Similarly, this program will help you a lot in making the answers authentic in the mains examination as well. We hope that you like this initiative of ours, and you will be able to take full advantage of it. You must share your feedback related to the program with us in the comment box. Please Like, Share & Subscribe! ************************************************************************** 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞 Important 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬- 1. Latest Update: https://drishti.xyz/Latest-Update 2. NCERT Foundation Series: https://drishti.xyz/NCERT-Foundation-... 3. How to Prepare Optional: https://drishti.xyz/How-to-Prepare-Op... 4. Optional Subject Demo Classes: https://drishti.xyz/Optional-Subject-... 5. UPSC Mock Interview 2024: https://drishti.xyz/UPSC-2024-Mock-In... 6. IAS Toppers Talk 2024: https://drishti.xyz/Toppers-Talk-2024... 7. Voices of the Revolution: https://drishti.xyz/Voices-of-the-rev... ************************************************************************* Our Key Courses: 1. GS Foundation Courses: https://drishti.xyz/GS-foundation-Onl... 2. GS Studio Foundation Course (Hindi): https://drishti.xyz/GS-Studio-Foundat... 3. GS Studio Foundation Course (Hinglish): https://drishti.xyz/gs-studio-foundat... 4. GS Studio Foundation Course (English): https://drishti.xyz/GS-Studio-Foundat... 5. NCERT Online Courses: https://drishti.xyz/NCERT-Online-Courses 6. UPSC Optional Subjects Online Courses: https://drishti.xyz/UPSC-Optional-Sub... 7.IAS Prelims 2026 Online Courses: https://drishti.xyz/IAS-Prelims-2026-... ************************************************************************* 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐢 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐩𝐩 𝐧𝐨𝐰 : IOS: https://drishti.xyz/DLA-IOS Android : https://drishti.xyz/DLA-Android Windows : https://drishti.xyz/DLA-Windows =̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵=̵ 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 : https://drishti.xyz/SocialMedia-YT #WesternGhats #ESA #Ecology #Environment #CurrentAffairs #UPSC2026 #UPSC #EnvironmentNews #Biodiversity #IndianGeography #Karnataka #Kerala #Maharashtra #Goa #Gujarat #TamilNadu #DrishtiIASEnglish #IASPreparation #EcologicalSensitiveArea #UPSCPreparation | #CivilServicesExam | #IASPreparation | #UPSC2026 | #UPSCMotivation | #CurrentAffairs | #upscmains