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Politics
Karnataka Legislature Rejects ESA Draft, Highlights Key Objections
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 27 Sep 2026, 11:49 AM
👁 10
On September 22, the Karnataka Legislature voted to reject the draft Ecological Sensitive Area (ESA) proposal, citing concerns over land use and local development. The state has repeatedly opposed the ESA, arguing it would hamper infrastructure projects in the Western Ghats.
On September 22, the Karnataka Legislature passed a resolution rejecting the draft Ecological Sensitive Area (ESA) proposal that would have designated a large portion of the Western Ghats as protected land. The move came after years of debate over the central government’s plan to safeguard ecologically fragile zones.
Karnataka has consistently opposed the ESA draft, arguing that it would impede land acquisition for essential infrastructure projects and that the compensation framework is unclear. The state also raised concerns that the proposed ESA would restrict agricultural and industrial activities vital to its economy.
The Kasturirangan Committee, established by the central government to review the ESA proposal, recommended that 12% of the Western Ghats be declared as ESA. Karnataka contended that this percentage is too high and would disproportionately affect the state’s development agenda.
In its resolution, Karnataka suggested a phased approach: first identifying critical zones that truly require protection, conducting a detailed environmental impact assessment, and then negotiating the final ESA boundaries with the central government. The state hopes this compromise will balance ecological preservation with regional growth.
Karnataka has consistently opposed the ESA draft, arguing that it would impede land acquisition for essential infrastructure projects and that the compensation framework is unclear. The state also raised concerns that the proposed ESA would restrict agricultural and industrial activities vital to its economy.
The Kasturirangan Committee, established by the central government to review the ESA proposal, recommended that 12% of the Western Ghats be declared as ESA. Karnataka contended that this percentage is too high and would disproportionately affect the state’s development agenda.
In its resolution, Karnataka suggested a phased approach: first identifying critical zones that truly require protection, conducting a detailed environmental impact assessment, and then negotiating the final ESA boundaries with the central government. The state hopes this compromise will balance ecological preservation with regional growth.