Why are there so many fears and concerns about the 7th draft ESA notification?
The Western Ghats are not just forests, hills and the numerous rivers and streams that begin here. They are also the people who have lived in these landscapes for generations.
What are some of the concerns and fears raised against the proposed ESA draft 7th notification?
The Karnataka Legislature has unanimously rejected the 7th Draft ESA Notification in its present form. Among the concerns raised are land rights, agriculture, plantations, homes and livelihoods. These concerns need context.
Across parts of the Western Ghats, there are long-standing forest and land issues. These include pending forest notification processes, differences between Forest and Revenue records, questions over land rights and eviction proceedings. There are also separate issues related to rehabilitation and land rights following displacement by large projects such as reservoirs.
Each of these has its own history, legal basis and facts that need to be understood case by case.
Read more details about these issues
Section 4(1) cases that remain unresolved
In Chikkamagaluru, around 2,400 objections relating to Section 4(1) notified areas were still pending in 2019. Across Karnataka, around 2.5 lakh hectares were reported in 2022 as still under Section 4 without the process for final Reserved Forest notification being completed. Some proceedings reportedly went back as far as 1920. Sources: Deccan Herald Dec 2019, Indian Express Feb 2022.
Rehabilitation land where rights are still not clear
Families displaced by dams have also faced problems. In Narasimharajapura, families displaced by the Bhadra reservoir were reportedly given land for rehabilitation in 1964 and cultivated it for decades. But because the forest de-notification process was reportedly not completed, some families continued to face problems getting full ownership rights. Source: Times of India, Sep 2025
Differences between Forest and Revenue records
In Shivamogga, the Government itself has identified issues such as incorrect forest entries in land records and rehabilitation land of Sharavathi-displaced families appearing in forest proposals. There are also pending issues around old occupation, housing title deeds and conversion of forest villages into revenue villages. Source: Times of India, May 2025
Fear of losing land that families have used for generations
In 2025, more than 3,000 farmers in Shivamogga district reportedly received eviction notices. Representatives of the affected areas argued that some families had land grants going back generations. Source: Times of India, March 2025
Why does this matter to the ESA discussion?
These problems exist for people. That is the reality. And it is understandable that they worry when their village is now proposed as an Ecologically Sensitive Area.
But does the proposed ESA 7th draft notification add to these problems?
What does the 7th Draft ESA actually say?
There are many fears about what may happen if a village comes under ESA. Sharing a few key points from the ESA 7th draft notification.
What are the activities that are prohibited?
We request you to read the 7th Draft ESA Notification and understand what it actually restricts and what it does not.
