‘Unscientific’: Karnataka Assembly rejects Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said a physical survey was required to assess the true extent of the forests, adding that several legislators said the report was based merely on satellite data and was “unscientific”.

“We are not anti-environment. We are nature lovers. But farmers should not be affected,” he said, adding that farmers, tribals, and families who have lived in the region for generations should not be affected,” he said.

Shivakumar said Karnataka would also seek a year to undertake the physical survey.

Taking a cue from neighbouring Kerala, the government also decided to form a high-level committee to monitor the survey. It also decided that an all-party delegation from the state would meet the prime minister and the environment minister over the issue.

Shivakumar said a retired Supreme Court judge would head the high-level committee.

“It will conduct physical surveys to scientifically identify eco-sensitive areas, forests, agricultural and horticultural lands and inhabited areas. Committees will also be formed at the gram panchayat level, ” he said.

The resolution was passed on the second day of the special session of the legislature convened to discuss the report and the drought situation in the state.