The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has reissued a draft notification concerning the protection of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. This regulatory action aims to establish eco-sensitive zones where certain industrial and developmental activities would be restricted or prohibited to preserve the region's fragile ecosystem.

The reissuance comes after years of stalled progress and a persistent deadlock between the central government and the states spanning the Western Ghats, including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Maharashtra. State governments have historically expressed concerns that strict environmental regulations could hinder local economic development, infrastructure projects, and the livelihoods of communities residing within these zones. Conversely, environmentalists and central authorities have argued that the notification is essential to prevent ecological degradation, landslides, and loss of biodiversity in the region.

While the notification serves as a formal step toward implementation, the ongoing friction suggests that the path to finalization remains complex. The central government is seeking to balance national environmental commitments with the specific administrative and economic concerns raised by the affected states. As of now, the deadlock persists, with state governments expected to review the reissued draft and provide further feedback before any final policy is enacted.