7 hrs ago
Karnataka Seeks Logical Conclusion on Western Ghats Report Dispute
The Kasturirangan report suggests that parts of the Western Ghats in Karnataka should receive special environmental protection.
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara says the report relied too much on satellite pictures and not enough on checking places on the ground.
The state is concerned that broad restrictions could affect people who have lived and worked there for generations.
The proposed rules could limit mining, quarrying, some industries, large construction projects and certain power projects.
Karnataka wants officials to check each village and land survey number instead of applying the same rules everywhere.
The state says much of the proposed area is already protected under existing laws.
The Centre continues to issue draft notifications despite Karnataka’s objections.
Parameshwara said the disagreement should be taken to a logical conclusion while protecting both nature and local livelihoods.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said Karnataka continues to oppose the Kasturirangan report.
He said satellite-based mapping lacked adequate ground verification and could affect livelihoods and development.
The report identified 20,668 square kilometres across 10 Karnataka districts as ecologically sensitive.
After technical corrections, the area could fall to 19,252.16 square kilometres, with 3,108.08 square kilometres requiring decisions.
Parameshwara called for village-level verification and survey-number maps before further decisions on draft notifications.
- Who
- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and the Karnataka government.
- What
- The state is opposing the Kasturirangan report’s proposed Western Ghats eco-sensitive-area restrictions and seeking detailed physical surveys.
- Where
- The Western Ghats in Karnataka, covering parts of 10 districts.
- When
- The issue was raised on September 21; Karnataka has opposed the recommendations since 2014.
- Why
- The state says satellite-based assessments may be inaccurate and that blanket restrictions could harm local livelihoods and development, while environmental protection remains necessary.
Karnataka’s Position
Environmental Notification Position
Assessment method
Karnataka’s Position
Karnataka says the report relied largely on satellite imagery and requires village-wise physical verification and survey-number maps.
Environmental Notification Position
The report and subsequent review process use satellite-based assessment, with the Sanjay Kumar committee also undertaking physical verification.
Impact on residents
Karnataka’s Position
The state says blanket restrictions could harm the livelihoods and development prospects of people living in the Western Ghats.
Environmental Notification Position
The proposed restrictions are intended to protect ecologically sensitive areas and the long-term survival of the Western Ghats.
Regulatory approach
Karnataka’s Position
Karnataka favors examining remaining areas at the village and survey-number level rather than applying broad restrictions.
Environmental Notification Position
The draft notifications propose restrictions on mining, quarrying, certain industries, large construction projects and some power projects across designated areas.
Key facts
- Proposed Karnataka ESA
- 20,668 square kilometres across 10 districts, 33 taluks and 1,576 villages.
- Area after corrections
- The state says technical corrections could reduce the area to 19,252.16 square kilometres.
- Already protected
- Some 16,114.08 square kilometres are already covered by national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, reserve forests and other protected categories.
- Area requiring decisions
- The remaining area identified by Parameshwara is 3,108.08 square kilometres.
- Latest village figure
- The latest draft notification proposes 1,449 villages in Karnataka, compared with 1,576 initially identified.
- Restrictions proposed
- The recommendations include limits on mining, quarrying, sand mining, certain industries, large construction projects and some power projects.
- State Cabinet decision
- Karnataka’s Cabinet decided on September 6, 2024, to reject the Centre’s July 31, 2024 draft notification.
Quotes
G Parameshwara
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister speaking about verification of Western Ghats areas
“The survival of the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Aravallis, Vindhyas and Himalayas is linked to our own survival. At the same time, we must protect the livelihood of people who have been living there for generations.”
theprint.in
“The actual situation can be understood only through physical surveys, adding that village-wise verification and survey-number-wise maps should be prepared and submitted to the Centre.”
theprint.in
Sources
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