The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is implementing a number of schemes for conservation of forest, wildlife and environment in different states and Union Territories, including Western Ghats States. These include the National Afforestation Programme, Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat, Forest Fire Prevention and Management, Project Tiger and National Mission for a Green India. Funds under Compensatory Afforestation Management & Planning Authority are also utilized for conservation of forest and wildlife in the Western Ghats.

In order to protect and conserve Western Ghats, MoEFCC had constituted two Committees viz., the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) headed by Prof. Madhav Gadgil and the High Level Working Group (HLWG) headed by Dr. K. Kasturirangan, to review the recommendations of the WGEEP. On the basis of the report of the HLWG, MoEFCC has brought out a draft notification on 10^th March, 2014, declaring biologically and culturally diverse areas as Eco-sensitive Area, requiring protection and conservation. Considering the views and concerns of the respective State Governments and addressing the concerns and apprehensions of public/stakeholders, the draft of Western Ghats Eco-sensitive Area was re-notified for the fifth time on 6^th July, 2022 and a Committee has also been specifically constituted to assist in consultation with the State Governments for finalizing the notification. The validity of the draft notification is till 30^th June 2024.       

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MJPS/NSK

(Release ID: 1944367)