NGT Directs Finalization Of Kasturirangan Report Within 6 Months, Without Reducing ESA Regions [Read Order]

The bench observed that the ecology of Western Ghats region is under serious stress.The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests to finalize notification of Ecologically Sensitive Areas of Western Ghats within a period of six months, without making any alteration in the draft ESA notification published on February. The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests to finalize notification of Ecologically Sensitive Areas of Western Ghats within a period of six months, without making any alteration in the draft ESA notification published on February 27, 2017. The bench headed by Chairman Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel prohibited reduction in the ESA areas identified in the draft without sanction of the Tribunal, observing that such reduction "may seriously affect the environment, especially in view of recent incidents in Kerala" "In view of the above, we dispose of this application permitting the republication of the draft notification dated 27.02.2017 which is said to be expiring on 26.08.2018. The Tribunal further ordered that "no environmental clearance be granted and no activity adversely impacting eco-sensitive areas be permitted in the area covered by draft notification dated 27.02.2017 till the matter is finalized".