Keralam government recommends excluding Sabarimala from ESA limits

The Keralam government has recommended that Sabarimala be excluded from the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) limits in its proposal submitted to the Union government.

The map prepared by the State reportedly excludes Sabarimala Sannidhanam, Pampa and the Nilakkal parking ground from the proposed ESA boundaries.The Neelimala route connecting Pampa to Sannidhanam has also been excluded.

Sources point out that the Swami Ayyappan Road has not been exempted, and the Sabarimala route from Pampa to Perunad remains within the proposed ESA limits. The route is used for transporting essential goods to Sannidhanam.

The proposals form part of the recommendations formally submitted by Keralam to the Centre on September 24 based on the seventh draft notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

However, despite the proposed exclusions, the restrictions under the existing buffer zone regulations are likely to remain in force, considering the Sabarimala shrine and surrounding areas fall within the Periyar Tiger Reserve landscape.

In its recommendations, the government has proposed reducing the limit the ESA in Keralam from 9,993.7 sq.km. to 8,590.69 sq.km.