Udupi’s Western Ghats are where many of the district’s rivers and headwater streams begin. They are also part of the larger Malnad–Kodagu wildlife corridor, connecting forests and habitats across the Western Ghats. From these forested hills, rivers flow through farms, villages and towns before reaching the Arabian Sea.
From the Western Ghats to the Arabian Sea, Udupi is one connected landscape. Protecting these forests and river origins helps protect wildlife connectivity, water, fisheries and the livelihoods they support downstream.
We took a closer look at where the proposed ESA villages are located and what protecting these landscapes could mean for the people who live here.
Tap below to view the analysis full screen.
UDUPI ESA ANALYSIS
We will continue to update this analysis as we receive feedback, make corrections, and review additional information and spatial data.
Last updated: 15 October 2026.
Sources , Methodology and Discrepancies Found
This analysis brings together publicly available spatial data, government reports and our own spatial analysis to understand the proposed ESA in the wider context of the district.
Key sources include:
- 6th Draft Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area Notification, MoEFCC, 27 July 2026 – list of villages proposed as ESA. 7th draft is the same as the 6th draft notification.
- Karnataka Geographic Information System (KGIS) – Protected Areas, Notifiedforests, Ecosensitive zones and other admin layers.
- India-WRIS – rivers and drainage
- 2018 Report of the Expert Committee Constituted to Assess the Carrying Capacity of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats Region of Karnataka – ecological sensitivity, wildlife, landscape pressures and carrying-capacity findings. This was obtained through Right to Information Act.
- NCAVES Karnataka Ecosystem Accounting – information and valuation of ecosystem services provided by Karnataka’s natural landscapes. Report Link
Discrepancies:
Our spatial analysis found the following discrepancies: Some villages appear to be listed under the incorrect taluk (highlighted with red text in this list).
Learn about the resolution submitted to Minister of Environment and Forests on Sept 8th, 2026
From our analysis to our 4 Asks submitted on September 8th, 2026
On 8 September 2026, we submitted a resolution to Shri Ramalinga Reddy, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka on behalf of the interstate forum representing multiple organizations across the Western Ghats including Kerala, TamilNadu, Maharasthra and Karnataka setting out four asks for the Western Ghats.
The asks look at taking the ESA forward as a minimum protection framework while addressing the concerns of people living within these landscapes and strengthening the protection and support needed for the Western Ghats. Our 4 Asks came from the understanding we had then. The Kodagu analysis you have just seen and our continuing analysis of other districts has helped us look more closely at what the proposed ESA means on the ground.
This has brought up additional gaps and recommendations that are not fully captured in our original 4 Asks.
Read our 4 asks
Our submission on the 7th Draft ESA to MOEF
We have submitted detailed objections and recommendations to MoEFCC, building on our 4 Asks and detailed mapping and analysis of ESA in Kodagu and Udupi districts.
Explore our analysis for other districts or dive deep into the understanding the concerns of people about ESA
