Kerala publishes revised Western Ghats eco-sensitive map proposing to cut the area to 8,590.69 sq km

Kerala Report Environment & Climate

Kerala publishes revised Western Ghats eco-sensitive map proposing to cut the area to 8,590.69 sq km

13 October 2026

Kerala has published a cadastral map of its ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) on the Environment Department website.
The proposed ESA area falls from 9,993.7 sq km to 8,590.69 sq km.
The map is based on documents Kerala sent to the Union Environment Ministry on 24 September, after the Ministry's seventh draft notification.
In Idukki, 23 of 51 villages are excluded, along with cardamom-cultivation areas in the Cardamom Hill Reserve.
In Pathanamthitta, the Sabarimala temple complex, Pampa and the Nilakkal parking ground are excluded.
The Munnar Gap Road stays in the ESA.

Proposed ESA area (revised): 8,590.69 sq km Earlier area: 9,993.7 sq km Villages excluded: 33 Idukki villages excluded: 23 of 51

Why it matters for exams: Western Ghats ESA limits are a recurring Kerala environment and governance topic.

Kerala PSCUPSC

13 October 2026 Source: Onmanorama

In plain words

ESA Ecologically Sensitive Area — An area around protected zones where activities are regulated to protect the environment.

CHR Cardamom Hill Reserve — A reserve in the Idukki hills where cardamom is cultivated.

Cadastral map Cadastral map — A map showing land boundaries in detail.