A fresh draft notification has once again placed 108 villages in Goa under the spotlight. The proposal could shape how development, conservation and livelihoods coexist in the state’s ecologically rich Western Ghats.

At a Glance

• Centre issues fresh draft notification proposing 108 Goan villages as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA).
• The proposal falls under the long-running Western Ghats conservation framework.
• Villages span Sattari, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Ponda, Bicholim and parts of Pernem.
• Notification remains a draft, with public objections and suggestions invited.
• The proposal could influence future development, industrial activity and environmental management in affected areas.

For years, Goa’s biggest political battles have often centred around roads, mining, tourism and infrastructure.

Now, the forests are back at the centre of the conversation.

A fresh draft notification issued by the Union Government proposes bringing 108 villages across Goa under the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) framework, reopening one of the state’s most debated environmental issues.

Supporters believe it is essential for protecting the fragile Western Ghats, a UNESCO-recognised biodiversity hotspot that supplies Goa with forests, rivers and water security.

Critics worry about restrictions on future development and uncertainty for communities living within these landscapes

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While the proposal is not yet final, it has once again ignited a debate that extends far beyond environmental policy. It raises a fundamental question about Goa’s future.

How much development can the state pursue without compromising the natural systems that sustain it?

A Fresh Draft Reopens a Debate That Never Truly Ended

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has published a new draft notification identifying 108 villages in Goa for inclusion within the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area.

The proposal follows several previous drafts issued over the past decade after repeated consultations with states.

The affected villages are largely concentrated along Goa’s eastern belt, covering parts of Sattari, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Ponda, Bicholim and Pernem.

Villages including Molem, Collem, Netravali, Cotigao, Dongurli and Querim are among those proposed.

Importantly, this remains a draft notification. The Centre has invited objections and suggestions before issuing any final notification.

Why This Proposal Could Shape Goa’s Future More Than Many Realise

The Western Ghats are not merely forests.

They form the ecological backbone of peninsular India.

Stretching across six states, the mountain range is recognised globally for its biodiversity and serves as the origin for numerous rivers supplying drinking water and irrigation.

For Goa, the Ghats directly influence river systems, groundwater recharge, rainfall patterns and wildlife habitats.

Environmental experts argue that protecting these landscapes ultimately protects Goa’s water security, agriculture and tourism economy.

The challenge lies in ensuring conservation without unnecessarily affecting local livelihoods.

The Long Journey from Gadgil to Kasturirangan

The debate began over a decade ago.

The Madhav Gadgil Committee recommended extensive ecological protection across the Western Ghats.

Later, the Kasturirangan Committee proposed a more balanced approach by reducing the area under strict ecological regulation while allowing sustainable development in many settlements.

Successive governments have revised village lists multiple times following consultations with state governments, local communities and experts.

Goa has consistently sought modifications, arguing that several villages identified under earlier drafts already contain significant human settlements and existing development.

What Does This Mean for People Living in These Villages?

The biggest misconception is that people will suddenly be unable to live, farm or build homes.

That is not what the draft says.

The proposal primarily focuses on regulating specific environmentally harmful activities, particularly those with significant ecological impact.

Agriculture, existing settlements and many traditional livelihood activities are generally intended to continue, although the exact regulatory framework will depend on the final notification.

Residents therefore have a strong incentive to study the draft carefully and participate during the consultation process.

Government Says Conservation and Development Can Coexist

The Union Government maintains that the objective is to safeguard ecologically fragile landscapes while permitting sustainable development.

Officials have repeatedly emphasised that the notification aims to prevent activities causing irreversible environmental degradation rather than restricting ordinary village life.

The public consultation process has been retained specifically to incorporate feedback before finalisation.

• 108 villages proposed under the latest draft.
• 8 Goa talukas affected wholly or partially.
• 6 Indian states covered under the Western Ghats ESA framework.
• Western Ghats recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Multiple draft notifications have been issued over the past decade following consultations.

The Consultation Process Could Still Change Everything

This is not the end of the process.

It is the beginning of another round of public consultation.

Residents, village panchayats, environmental organisations, industry bodies and elected representatives now have an opportunity to submit objections and recommendations.

Only after considering these responses will the Centre decide whether to modify or finalise the notification.

For Goa, the coming months may prove decisive in determining how one of India’s most environmentally significant landscapes is protected while accommodating the aspirations of the people who call it home.