Fear revisits residents of Western Ghats
India's Union government released a seventh draft on July 27, 2026, designating extensive areas of the Western Ghats as eco‑sensitive zones, following the Kasturirangan report. The draft opens a 60‑day window for public objections. Local residents express renewed anxiety over potential restrictions on livelihoods and development, prompting the article to explore these fears and the zone's long‑standing background.