Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Karnataka Farmers Observe Sringeri Bandh Over Kasturirangan Report
Farmers and local groups in Sringeri closed many shops to protest a government plan.
The plan is based on the Kasturirangan report about protecting parts of the Western Ghats.
Protesters worry the plan could hurt farming, local jobs and future development.
The bandh started at 6 a.m.
and was expected to end at 6 p.m.
Many businesses and auto-rickshaws stayed closed.
Medical shops and milk sellers continued working.
Some schools and colleges announced a holiday.
Police increased security, but said everything remained peaceful.
The draft plan would cover large areas in Karnataka and five other states.
Farmers and local groups observed a bandh in Sringeri, Chikkamagaluru district, opposing the Centre’s draft notification based on the Kasturirangan report.
The bandh began at 6 a.m. and was expected to continue until 6 p.m., with most shops and businesses closed.
Medical shops and milk outlets remained open, while auto-rickshaws largely stayed off the roads and some schools and colleges declared a holiday.
Police said the situation was peaceful and increased security was deployed as a precaution.
The seventh draft proposes designating 56,000 square kilometres across six states as an Environmentally Sensitive Area, including 20,668 square kilometres in Karnataka.
- Who
- Farmers and local groups in Sringeri, with shops and businesses participating in the bandh.
- What
- A bandh opposing the Centre’s draft notification on implementing the Kasturirangan report in Western Ghats eco-sensitive areas.
- When
- Monday, September 21; the bandh began at 6 a.m. and was expected to last until 6 p.m.
- Where
- Sringeri in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district.
- Why
- Protesters said the proposed eco-sensitive area rules could affect agriculture, local livelihoods and future development.
Farmers and Local Groups
Union Government Draft
Environmental restrictions and livelihoods
Farmers and Local Groups
Protesters oppose implementation of the Kasturirangan report, saying the proposed designation could harm farming, local livelihoods and future development.
Union Government Draft
The Union government’s draft proposes declaring large parts of the Western Ghats as an Environmentally Sensitive Area; the report does not state the government’s detailed response to the protesters’ concerns.
Karnataka’s position
Farmers and Local Groups
The state has repeatedly rejected the Centre’s draft notifications, according to the report.
Union Government Draft
The seventh draft notification was issued by the Union government and allows 60 days for objections.
- Bandh timing
- 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location
- Sringeri, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka
- Draft notification
- The seventh draft was issued by the Union government on July 27, 2026.
- Proposed area
- 56,000 square kilometres across six states
- Karnataka coverage
- 20,668 square kilometres across 33 taluks and 1,449 villages in 10 districts
- Essential services
- Medical shops and milk outlets remained operational
- Security
- Police deployed enhanced security and reported a peaceful situation