Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Karnataka CM Pledges Farmer Protection Amid Kasturirangan Report Concerns
The government wants to mark some parts of the Western Ghats as environmentally sensitive areas.
This could affect farmers and villages in Karnataka.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said farmers already using land would be protected.
He also said new encroachments would not be allowed.
The government may study the land carefully through a physical survey.
It may also change state laws if needed.
Karnataka’s Assembly will discuss the report and the drought situation.
Farmers and local leaders say the report does not properly separate forests from farms and villages.
They want better protection, compensation and a special plan for the Malnad and coastal regions.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar assured Malnad farmers that their interests would be protected amid concerns over the Kasturirangan report.
The seventh draft proposes designating 56,000 sq km across six states as an Environmentally Sensitive Area.
In Karnataka, the proposal covers 20,668 sq km, 33 taluks and 1,449 villages across 10 districts.
Shivakumar said the state may consider legal amendments, a high-level committee and a physical survey modeled on Kerala’s approach.
A three-day special Assembly session will discuss the Kasturirangan report and drought, while the government reviews land-rights applications and existing cultivation claims.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, farmers, local representatives and political and organisational leaders.
- What
- The Karnataka government is considering its response to the Kasturirangan report and a draft proposal to designate parts of the Western Ghats as Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
- When
- The seventh draft notification was issued on July 27, 2026, with 60 days for objections; Shivakumar addressed the meeting on September 19 and said a special Assembly session would begin the following Monday.
- Where
- The public meeting was held in Balehonnur in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka; the proposal covers parts of six states, including 10 Karnataka districts.
- Why
- The proposed environmental restrictions have raised concerns about farmers’ livelihoods, land rights, development and existing forest-related restrictions.
Environmental Protection and Regulation
Farmer Livelihoods and Development
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Environmental Protection and Regulation
Supporters of the draft seek stronger protection for ecologically sensitive parts of the Western Ghats through environmental restrictions.
Farmer Livelihoods and Development
Farmers and local representatives argue that implementation could harm livelihoods and future development in inhabited and agricultural areas.
Survey and Area Identification
Environmental Protection and Regulation
The draft identifies large areas for environmental protection based on the Kasturirangan report.
Farmer Livelihoods and Development
Local leaders want a physical survey, similar to one conducted in Kerala, to distinguish farms and settlements from forests.
Existing Cultivation and Encroachments
Environmental Protection and Regulation
The government says it will not permit new encroachments while addressing environmental and forest-related concerns.
Farmer Livelihoods and Development
The chief minister has assured protection for people already cultivating land and promised action on pending land-rights applications.
- Draft notification
- The seventh draft was issued by the Union government on July 27, 2026, allowing 60 days for objections.
- Total proposed ESA
- The draft proposes 56,000 sq km of Environmentally Sensitive Area across six states.
- Karnataka coverage
- The proposal covers 20,668 sq km, 33 taluks and 1,449 villages across 10 Karnataka districts.
- Government assurances
- Farmers already cultivating land are to be protected, while fresh encroachments will not be permitted.
- Assembly session
- A three-day special session will discuss the Kasturirangan report and drought.
- Drought status
- The chief minister said 124 taluks had been declared drought-hit, with assessments continuing elsewhere.
- State spending
- Shivakumar said Karnataka spends about Rs 1 lakh crore annually on poor people and farmers, including approximately Rs 53,000 crore on guarantee schemes and Rs 20,000 crore on free agricultural-pump electricity.