Kasturirangan report debate erupts in Legislative Council
A BJP MLC's defence of the Kasturirangan report triggered a heated debate in the Legislative Council, with members from all parties criticising environmentalists and questioning the report's impact.
A debate over the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats rocked the Legislative Council on Monday, with a BJP member's defence of the recommendations drawing strong reactions from leaders across party lines.
Keshavaprasad, a BJP MLC, described the report as "excellent" and urged the State not to confront the Centre over its implementation. He said people were being incited by those who had not read the notification properly.
His remarks appeared to target Janata Dal (Secular) member S.L. Bhojegowda, who had earlier warned of possible "bloodshed" if the report were implemented. Countering him, Keshavaprasad pointed to Kerala's approach, saying the neighbouring State had reviewed the report and implemented it successfully rather than adopting a confrontationist stance. He also questioned the government's seriousness in holding the session just days before the deadline for the State to file its objections.
Reading out some of the conditions in the recommendations, Keshavaprasad argued that restrictions such as those on multi-speciality hospitals generating bio-waste were reasonable. He accused critics of spreading fear, asserting that houses could still be built or renovated, that adequate land had been earmarked for housing, and that there were no restrictions on agriculture. He also questioned why the Western Ghats should host industries in the red zone.
Congress member S. Ravi asked whether Keshavaprasad's views represented the official position of the BJP. Senior BJP leader C.T. Ravi, responding defensively, said the practical reality was bad and that the issue was significant for the people of the Malnad districts, who share an emotional bond with the land.
As the discussion progressed, several MLCs directed their ire at environmentalists supporting the report's implementation. S. Ravi said there was "nothing to learn" from environmentalists, noting that people had lived in harmony with land and forests for generations. Bhojegowda questioned the contribution of forest officials and environmentalists to forest protection, particularly in Kudremukh National Park. He asked what qualifications self-declared environmentalists possessed and whether they had been able to remove encroachment of forest land by estates owned by companies or politicians.