The Centre has issued a fresh draft notification to declare over 56 thousand 800 square kilometres of the Western Ghats across six states as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). These states are Gujrat, Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu. The government has also invited suggestions and objections from the public within 60 days. People can email their suggestions and objections to esz-mef@nic.in

After the declared Ecologically Sensitive Area to these areas, there will be restrictions on economic activities such as quarrying, mining, and large infrastructural development in these areas.