Kasturirangan report: Karnataka opposes implementation, CM to meet affected farmers

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will address the concerns surrounding the K. Kasturirangan Committee report in several meetings across Karnataka this weekend. The report led to a draft notification proposing the declaration of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) across the Western Ghats in 20,668 sq. km spread over 10 districts and 1,576 villages.

The notification has sparked protests in the Malnad and coastal regions, with residents fearing that the ESA would negatively impact their livelihoods. On Friday, September 18, Mr. Shivakumar will hold a meeting in Hebri, Udupi district, following a Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru. On Saturday, September 19, he will meet in Tirthahalli, Shivamogga district, and later in the afternoon in Balehonnur, N.R.

Pura taluk of Chikkamagaluru district. Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa announced that the Chief Minister would hold public meetings to gather people's opinions on the issue. He appealed to people to attend the meetings in large numbers. The government of Karnataka stated it would stand by the people of the region and prevent the implementation of the K. Kasturirangan report, which would restrict agricultural activity and housing in 484 villages of Shivamogga district.