BENGALURU: The special Assembly session to discuss the pros and cons of the Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats unanimously passed a resolution seeking a review and necessary modifications to the report. Besides, the session decided to initiate a fresh physical survey of the villages to be affected by the implementation of the report by constitution of a high-level committee headed by a retired judge.
The session decided to take an all-party delegation to the Union Government over the Kasturirangan report and seek a year’s time to complete the physical survey exercise to submit its recommendations.
Replying to the debate on the 7th draft notification issued by the Union Government on July 27, 2026 over recommendations made by Kasturirangan in his report, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated the draft notification says to cover 20, 668 sq km of Western Ghats across 10 districts including 1, 449 villages could not be accepted in its present form. A high-level committee headed by a retired Judge will conduct physical surveys to scientifically identify eco-sensitive areas, forests, agricultural and horticultural lands and inhabited areas.
Shivakumar felt the need to conduct village-wise and survey-number-wise physical surveys to accurately map houses, schools, plantations, drinking water infrastructure and electricity poles. The high-level committee will include revenue and forest department officials, representatives of farmers and industry, environmental and forest experts and academicians.
“Environment must be protected but at the same time farmers must also be able to live,” he said and added that farmers, tribals and local families who have lived in the region for generations should not be displaced or harassed.
Explaining the stance of the State Government, Shivakumar said “The government’s position is to protect the Western Ghats and its biodiversity while safeguarding the interests and livelihoods of farmers and local communities.”
Earlier, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka demanded the State Government to conduct a physical survey on the lines of Keralam government on Kasturirangan report and the survey conducted by Keralam not only reduced eco-sensitive areas but also the buffer areas as well.
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