On Tuesday, the Karnataka Assembly unanimously opposed the Centre’s proposal to designate 20,668 sq km of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area. The Assembly has requested the Union government to postpone the notification for one year. This delay is intended to allow the state to conduct physical surveys and address concerns related to land and livelihoods affected by the designation.
“The Western Ghats are a major natural asset of Karnataka and are vital to biodiversity and ecological balance. The resolution, moved by chief minister D K Shivakumar during a three day special session on the Kasturirangan report, opposed the seventh draft ESA notification issued by the Centre on July 27, 2026, in its present form. The proposed area covers 1,449 villages in 10 districts of Karnataka.
Shivakumar said the state had attempted to understand concerns of residents before taking its position, including through visits to Udupi, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan districts. At the same time, the concerns of the people living in the region need to be addressed before the ESA notification is finalised,” he said. “The inclusion of agricultural land, plantations, residential houses and public amenities along with forest areas would create problems relating to house construction, division of family properties and inheritance rights,” Shivakumar said. The resolution said the draft also failed to adequately address pending issues involving Bagar Hukum claims, forest rights, deemed forests, land grants, appeals and cases before courts.
“The government should be the voice of the people. We must give value to what people say and to their feelings. The state asked that Centre refrain from taking a final decision until Karnataka completes its exercise and submits its report.
Shivakumar said the government deliberately chose to bring the matter before the legislature rather than settle it only through an administrative decision. That is why we organised a special session and invited a discussion,” he said. “After the state government submits its report, the Government of India should hold a detailed discussion with the state government on the issue and only thereafter take a final decision,” the resolution said.
Responding to a question from Leader of Opposition R Ashoka on National Green Tribunal and implementation of Kasturirangan report, Shivakumar said the state would put forward its position before the SC. “Regarding the notification issued by the Centre in connection with the Kasturirangan report, a senior lawyer will be appointed to clearly present the state’s position before the Supreme Court,” he said.
