Karnataka CM flags livelihood fears over Kasturirangan report in Assembly

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar told the Legislative Assembly on Monday that implementing the Kasturirangan Committee report could put the livelihoods of people across ten districts at risk, while reiterating that his government would stand by farmers and residents of the Western Ghats.

Speaking during a debate on the report, the Chief Minister said its recommendations had generated "an atmosphere of fear" among farming communities. He noted that more than six rivers originate in and flow through the Western Ghats, and said the prospect of unscientific measures had caused widespread anxiety about people's means of living.

Ahead of the session, Mr. Shivakumar toured the coastal and Malnad regions that would be affected and met residents in Karkala, Tirthahalli, Sakleshpur and Balehonnur to hear their concerns.

What residents have sought

The Chief Minister said the consultations threw up a range of suggestions. Farmers want the report rejected outright and a fresh committee constituted, he said. They have also called for scrapping the Ecologically Sensitive Zone classification and for adopting the Keralam model.

Residents have questioned why agricultural land has been included within the proposed boundaries, arguing that any buffer zone should be confined to forest areas. Their central demand, Mr. Shivakumar said, is that their properties and livelihoods remain undisturbed.

Other proposals put forward included sending an all-party delegation to the Centre, submitting a memorandum, and passing resolutions in both Houses of the State legislature. Some representatives suggested seeking special status for the region under Article 371.

The Kasturirangan report identifies 20,668 sq. km of Karnataka's Western Ghats region as ecologically sensitive, spanning 1,449 villages.

Deadline and government stand

The Centre has asked Karnataka to communicate its decision on the report by September 27. Mr. Shivakumar said the government had convened the discussion to safeguard the State's interests and build consensus on a resolution opposing the report.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy also placed a 12-page statement before the House, reaffirming the government's commitment to protecting both the Western Ghats and the livelihoods of people living in the region.