5 days ago
Karnataka Again Rejects Centre’s Kasturirangan Western Ghats Plan
The Centre wants to put 1,449 villages in Karnataka’s Western Ghats under special environmental protection rules.
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara says the state will not accept the plan.
He says many families depend on these areas for their homes and livelihoods.
The state believes people who have lived there for generations should not be suddenly displaced.
Karnataka also says the Centre made the decision without properly consulting the state.
The state government plans to hold a special session of its Legislature to discuss the issue.
It has rejected similar notifications six times, according to Parameshwara.
The Centre’s plan is connected to the Kasturirangan Report.
Karnataka wants environmental protection decisions to balance conservation with people’s needs.
Parameshwara also hopes opposition leaders and Karnataka’s Members of Parliament will support the state’s position.
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said Karnataka will not implement the Kasturirangan Report under any circumstances.
The Centre’s notification proposes declaring 1,449 villages across 10 Western Ghats districts as Ecologically Sensitive Areas.
Karnataka says the notification threatens the lives and livelihoods of lakhs of families in the region.
The state plans to convene a one-day special session of the Legislature to discuss the decision and possible solutions.
Parameshwara said Karnataka has rejected six earlier notifications and urged consultations and a consensus-based decision.
- Who
- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and the Karnataka government are opposing the Union Government’s notification.
- What
- The state has rejected a proposal to implement the Kasturirangan Report and designate 1,449 villages as Ecologically Sensitive Areas.
- Where
- The affected villages are in Karnataka’s Western Ghats across 10 districts, including the Malnad region.
- When
- Parameshwara made the statement on Friday; the article also cites a Union draft notification dated July 31, 2024, and a Karnataka Cabinet resolution dated September 26, 2024.
- Why
- Karnataka says the proposal could affect residents’ lives and livelihoods and was issued without sufficient consultation with the state.
Karnataka Government’s Position
Union Government’s Notification
Environmental protection and livelihoods
Karnataka Government’s Position
Karnataka says conservation measures must protect the lives and livelihoods of residents who have lived in the Western Ghats for generations.
Union Government’s Notification
The Union Government’s notification seeks to designate 1,449 villages as Ecologically Sensitive Areas as part of implementing the Kasturirangan Report.
Consultation and decision-making
Karnataka Government’s Position
Karnataka describes the Centre’s action as unilateral and calls for consultations with the state and a consensus acceptable to all stakeholders.
Union Government’s Notification
The notification represents the Centre’s attempt to proceed with the report despite Karnataka’s repeated objections, according to Parameshwara’s account.
Impact on residents
Karnataka Government’s Position
The state says the proposal has caused concern among lakhs of families and could threaten residents’ established way of life.
Union Government’s Notification
The notification is presented as an environmental-protection measure, although the articles do not provide the Union Government’s detailed response to Karnataka’s objections.
Key facts
- State position
- Karnataka says the Kasturirangan Report will not be implemented under any circumstances.
- Affected area
- The notification covers 1,449 villages across 10 districts in the Western Ghats.
- Environmental status
- The villages would be declared Ecologically Sensitive Areas under the Centre’s notification.
- Planned response
- Karnataka plans to convene a one-day special session of the Legislature.
- Previous rejections
- Parameshwara said Karnataka has rejected six notifications seeking implementation of the report.
- Union draft notification
- The article says the Union Government issued a draft notification on July 31, 2024.
- Cabinet resolution
- Karnataka’s Cabinet passed a resolution opposing the notification on September 26, 2024, under then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Quotes
G Parameshwara
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Revenue and Sports
“I wish to make it clear to the people of Karnataka that there has been no change in our stand that the report must not be implemented under any circumstances.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
“People living in the Western Ghats region need not be anxious under any circumstances. Your government stands with you.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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