With the deadline of submission of reports on physical demarcation of Eco- Sensitive Areas ( ESA) in the six States along Western Ghats having expired on Tuesday and only Kerala having met the deadline, the Environment Ministry will now hold a review meeting later this week and take a final call on Statewise basis.
According to sources, the decision will now be taken keeping in mind the ground report, science, sustainable development, and other State-specific conditions. The five States that are yet to submit their reports include Gujarat, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The Environment Ministry had earlier set the deadline of April 15 for states to submit the ESA. After no response from them, it extended the deadline further to June 15 and then to June 30. In February, the National Green Tribunal had restricted the green Ministry from granting environmental clearance or permitting activities which would have an adverse impact on the eco-sensitive areas asking it to expeditiously demarcate ESAs in the concerned States.
The restrictions fall under five categories — mining, quarrying, sand mining, thermal power plants, building and construction projects involving areas of 20,000 square metre and above, township and area development projects with an area of 50 hectare and above.