Concept2 stories
Ecologically Sensitive Area
In one line: An Ecologically Sensitive Area is a region notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 where harmful activities are restricted.
How it differs
Unlike national parks, people continue to live and farm in ESAs; only specified activities are banned or regulated.
Related concept
Eco-sensitive zones are buffers around protected areas, also notified under the same Act.
Why boundaries matter
Inaccurate mapping can include homes and farms, triggering local opposition.
Where to go next
- Gadgil Committee: The stronger, participatory model
- Kasturirangan Committee: The compromise
Ecologically Sensitive Area in the news
- Karnataka's legislature asks the Centre to shrink the Western Ghats eco-sensitive area 23 September 2026
What the label restricts
On the reference shelf
Previous-year questions on this
- 2026 · GS3 · 10 marks Discuss how the contradiction between 'rapid infrastructure development' and 'disaster-risk reduction' in ecologically-sensitive areas of India can be managed, with suitable examples.
- 2025 · GS1 · 15 marks Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people's needs in a country like India. Comment.
- 2021 · GS1 · 10 marks Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats.
- 2020 · GS3 · 10 marks How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006?
- 2016 · Prelims 'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to (a) constitutional reforms (b) Ganga Action Plan (c) linking of rivers (d) protection of…