CH NEWS
BENGALURU
Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy said protecting the Western Ghats must go hand in hand with safeguarding the rights and interests of farmers, horticulturists, tribals and local residents.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on the Centre’s July 27, 2026 draft notification based on the Kasturirangan committee report, he said the proposal should not create unnecessary hurdles for agriculture, horticulture or infrastructure development. There was no question of relocating people, he said.
However, illegal mining, sand mining, excessive hill cutting, encroachments and unsafe, highly polluting commercial activities would not be protected and would face legal action, Reddy said.
Around 20,668 sq km in Karnataka has been proposed as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), covering 1,449 villages across 10 districts. The final boundaries will depend on State recommendations, stakeholder views and expert committee scrutiny.
Reddy said the State’s primary demand was scientific and ground-level verification. Instead of imposing uniform restrictions on entire villages, areas should be mapped at the survey-number level, identifying forests, farms, plantations, settlements, water bodies and ecologically sensitive areas separately.
He urged the Centre to make proposed village lists and maps public and allow objections through gram panchayats. Clear protection should be provided for homes, agricultural land, schools, hospitals, roads and drinking-water facilities.
The State Cabinet had rejected the 2024 draft notification and, on September 3, 2026, decided to reject the latest draft in its present form.
“The Western Ghats must be protected while safeguarding the rights and interests of farmers, tribals and local residents.” Ramalinga Reddy, Forest Minister
Ground-truthing sought
Karnataka wants scientific and ground-level verification before the Western Ghats ESA boundaries are finalised. The State has sought survey-number-level mapping to distinguish forests, agricultural land, plantations, settlements, water bodies and sensitive areas. It has also urged public disclosure of village lists and maps, with objections accepted through gram panchayats. The government wants clear safeguards for homes, farms and essential infrastructure while ensuring environmental protection and disaster preparedness.
