3 hrs ago
Karnataka Seeks Kasturirangan Report Review, Orders Western Ghats Survey
Karnataka’s Assembly discussed a plan to protect parts of the Western Ghats.
It said the current Kasturirangan report should be reviewed and changed.
The report’s latest draft covers land in 10 districts and 1,449 villages.
Karnataka wants to check the affected villages in person before accepting the plan.
A committee led by a retired judge will conduct the surveys.
The committee will include government officials, farmers, industry representatives, environmental experts and academics.
The surveys will identify forests, farms, homes and important services such as water and electricity.
State leaders said nature should be protected while farmers and local families should be able to continue living and working there.
The Karnataka Assembly unanimously sought a review and modifications to the Kasturirangan report.
A retired judge will head a committee conducting physical surveys in villages across 10 districts.
The Union Government draft notification covers 20,668 square kilometres and 1,449 villages.
The survey will map homes, schools, plantations, infrastructure, forests, farms and inhabited areas.
Karnataka plans an all-party delegation to seek one year for completing the survey.
- Who
- The Karnataka Assembly, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka and a proposed committee headed by a retired judge.
- What
- The Assembly approved a resolution seeking review and modifications to the Kasturirangan report and decided to conduct physical surveys.
- Where
- Across 10 Karnataka districts in the Western Ghats, covering villages potentially affected by the report.
- When
- During a special Assembly session discussing the Union Government’s seventh draft notification issued on July 27, 2026.
- Why
- To scientifically identify eco-sensitive areas while protecting the livelihoods and interests of farmers, tribals and local communities.
Karnataka Government Position
Opposition Position
Need for a physical survey
Karnataka Government Position
The government says the draft cannot be accepted in its present form and supports village-wise and survey-number-wise checks before identifying eco-sensitive areas.
Opposition Position
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka demanded a survey modeled on the one conducted by the Kerala government.
Balancing conservation and livelihoods
Karnataka Government Position
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the Western Ghats and its biodiversity must be protected while safeguarding farmers, tribals and local communities from displacement or harassment.
Opposition Position
R. Ashoka pointed to Kerala’s survey, which he said reduced both eco-sensitive areas and buffer areas.
Key facts
- Assembly decision
- The Karnataka Assembly unanimously passed a resolution seeking review and necessary modifications to the Kasturirangan report.
- Survey area
- The proposed draft notification covers 20,668 square kilometres across 10 districts.
- Villages affected
- The draft notification identifies 1,449 villages.
- Committee leadership
- A high-level committee headed by a retired judge will conduct the physical surveys.
- Survey details
- The committee will map houses, schools, plantations, drinking-water infrastructure, electricity poles, forests, agricultural land and inhabited areas.
- Requested time
- Karnataka plans to seek one year from the Union Government to complete the survey and submit recommendations.
- Delegation
- The state will send an all-party delegation to the Union Government.
Quotes
D.K. Shivakumar
Karnataka Chief Minister and participant in the Assembly debate
“The government’s position is to protect the Western Ghats and its biodiversity while safeguarding the interests and livelihoods of farmers and local communities.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Environment must be protected but at the same time farmers must also be able to live.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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