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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Biodiversity conservation and protection of ecologically sensitive regions in India: Policy, governance and contemporary challenges
Authors
Vishvajeet Jaroli
Abstract
India, a megadiverse nation hosting four global biodiversity hotspots,
stands at a critical juncture between rapid economic development and the
imperative to conserve its fragile ecological heritage. This comprehensive
research report evaluates the current state of biodiversity conservation and
the protection of Ecologically Sensitive Regions (ESRs) in India, with a
specific focus on the legislative frameworks, judicial interventions, and
socio-political conflicts defining the sector in the years 2024-2025. The
analysis covers the evolution of Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, contrasting the methodologies of the Gadgil
and Kasturirangan committees regarding the Western Ghats and the subsequent
policy paralysis. It examines the implementation challenges of the Biological
Diversity Act, 2002, particularly in light of the 2023 Amendments and the 2024
Rules, which have sparked debate over access and benefit-sharing (ABS) and
traditional knowledge protection. Detailed case studies—including the land
subsidence crisis in Joshimath, the conflict over buffer zones in Kerala, the
ecological risks of the Great Nicobar Development Project, and hydropower
expansion in the Eastern Himalayas—illustrate the tension between infrastructure
growth and environmental stability. The report synthesizes data from government
notifications, Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) judgments, and
scientific assessments to provide a nuanced understanding of India's
environmental governance trajectory.
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Pages:123-132
How to cite this article:
Vishvajeet Jaroli "Biodiversity conservation and protection of ecologically sensitive regions in India: Policy, governance and contemporary challenges". International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 123-132
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