Kerala has asked the Centre to cut its proposed ecologically sensitive area to 8,590.69 sq km. The state wants the zone limited to forests, with homes, farms, and plantations fully excluded.

Environment Minister Sunny Joseph announced the proposal on Friday. It was submitted as part of the state’s response to the Union environment ministry’s draft notification.

The 2013 Kasturirangan report had proposed 13,108 sq km across 123 villages. After protests, an expert committee cut it to 9,993.7 sq km. That included 9,107 sq km of forest and 886.7 sq km of non-forest land.

Kerala now wants the non-forest portion removed as well. The final ESA would cover 98 villages, down from the current benchmark.

The demand has strong backing from church leaders and farming communities. They fear the tag will hurt agriculture and daily life in populated areas.

Kerala says it already has strong green laws. Forests cover 29.15 percent of the state. It has 23 wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas. The state argues that fresh curbs in inhabited areas would harm the farm sector.