Kasturirangan report threatens livelihoods: Karnataka Chief Minister
Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy made a 12-page statement, reiterating that the government was committed to protecting both the Western Ghats and the livelihoods of people
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has expressed concerns that the Kasturirangan Committee report could threaten the livelihoods of people in 10 districts of the state, as he reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting farmers and residents of the Western Ghats. The report identifies 20,668 sq. km of the Western Ghats region as ecologically sensitive, covering 1449 villages.
Shivakumar stated that farmers have sought to reject the report and demanded a new committee be constituted, with some suggesting an all-party delegation to the Centre and seeking special status for the region through Article 371. The Centre has asked Karnataka to convey its decision on the report by September 27.
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