Bengaluru, August 27: Karnataka’s Minister for School Education and Literacy, Madhu Bangarappa, reassured farmers in the Malenadu region on Wednesday that they need not worry about the Kasturirangan Committee report, as the state government will prevent its implementation.
In a video statement, Bangarappa explained that the central government had issued a seventh draft notification proposing to identify ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats based on the Kasturirangan Committee’s recommendations. He noted that the Karnataka Assembly had already passed a proposal to reject this report, and the central government had been officially informed of this decision.
Despite this, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued another draft notification identifying ESAs in the Western Ghats. Bangarappa condemned this action, stating that the state government cannot accept this draft notification. A clear decision had already been made on the matter, and Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy had also made an official statement in the Assembly.
According to the latest draft notification, 20,668 square kilometers, comprising 1,576 villages in Karnataka, are proposed to be classified as ecologically sensitive areas. This list includes 484 villages from Shivamogga district.
Bangarappa acknowledged that the inclusion of populated areas and agricultural land in the proposed ESAs has understandably raised concerns among Malenadu farmers. However, he assured them that the state government would oppose this notification and ensure it does not come into effect.
He emphasized that the government would not take any steps that could adversely affect the interests of Malenadu farmers. “We stand with the farmers, and their interests will be protected,” he stated.
He also mentioned that senior Congress leaders RV Deshpande and MLAs Bhimanna T Naik, TD Rajegowda, HD Thammaiah, and AS Ponnanna had raised this issue both inside and outside the Assembly. The government has made it clear that it will not allow the implementation of this report.
Bangarappa criticized opposition leaders for creating confusion among farmers instead of condemning the central government’s decision. He accused them of obstructing discussions on this issue during the Assembly’s monsoon session.
He added that he had personally discussed the matter with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who had announced the government’s decision to oppose the draft notification and assured that the government would stand by the farmers.
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