Congress leader announces padayatra in Tirthahalli against ESA notification

Former Minister and Congress leader Kimmane Rathnakar has announced a protest march in Tirthahalli taluk on September 7, opposing the Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats and demanding the withdrawal of the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notification.

Addressing reporters in Shivamogga on Thursday, Mr. Rathnakar said the padayatra will commence at 9 a.m. from Binkla village, located about seven kilometres from Tirthahalli. The village is among those listed in the notification. District Congress Committee president Prasanna Kumar and Ramesh Hegde, district president of the party's campaign committee, will inaugurate the march.

Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa and former Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, who serves as the state president of the party's campaign committee, are expected to participate in the stage programme at Tirthahalli. Mr. Rathnakar clarified that he would invite everyone opposed to the Kasturirangan report, except leaders from the JD(S) and the BJP.

Responding to questions about district-wide protests being organised by other Congress leaders, including R.M. Manjunath Gowda under the Western Ghats Raita Sahakari Vedike banner, Mr. Rathnakar noted that BJP leaders had participated in those marches. He said he would not march alongside BJP leaders on this issue, as the protest must raise slogans against the BJP-led central government. He urged BJP leaders to appeal to their own government to withdraw the notification instead of joining the protests.

Mr. Rathnakar emphasised his support for conserving the Western Ghats and wildlife, but not at the cost of human lives. He said he has consistently opposed the Kasturirangan committee recommendations that impose restrictions on people in the Malnad region. He pointed out that India's population has grown from 20 crore to 140 crore in the last century, and people require land for housing and cultivation. Many have built homes in forest areas, he added, stating that he would not support any report that favours wildlife conservation while ignoring human conditions.

District Congress Committee president R. Prasanna Kumar and others were present at the press conference.