Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislature has unanimously adopted a resolution seeking a review and necessary modifications to the Kasturirangan Report on the Western Ghats, with the State Government calling for a fresh physical survey and additional time to assess the areas proposed for eco-sensitive protection.

The resolution was adopted in both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council during a debate on the Centre’s latest draft notification based on the Kasturirangan Report. The State Government has proposed the formation of a high-level committee headed by a retired judge to undertake a detailed review of the proposed eco-sensitive areas.

State seeks fresh survey of Western Ghats areas

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, while replying to the debate, said the seventh draft notification issued by the Centre on July 27, 2026, covers 20,668 sq km across 10 districts and 1,449 villages in Karnataka.

According to the Chief Minister, the proposed notification cannot be accepted in its present form and a detailed village-wise and survey-number-wise exercise is required before the areas are finalised.

The proposed survey is expected to identify different categories of land and habitation, including forests, agricultural and horticultural land, residential areas and other infrastructure.

The Government has said the exercise would also map houses, schools, drinking-water infrastructure and electricity poles to provide a clearer picture of the existing settlements and land use in the proposed areas.

The State has also sought one year’s time from the Centre to complete the survey and submit its recommendations.

High-level committee proposed

The State Government plans to constitute a high-level committee headed by a retired judge to oversee the review process.

The committee, as outlined by the Chief Minister, would include officials from the Revenue and Forest Departments, representatives of farmers and industry, environmental and forest experts and academicians.

Committees would also be formed at the Gram Panchayat level as part of the proposed exercise.

The Government’s stated objective is to conduct physical verification on the ground before determining which areas should come under the proposed eco-sensitive framework.

A physical survey could help distinguish between forest areas, agricultural land, plantations and inhabited areas, particularly in locations where existing land records and the proposed environmental boundaries may not fully correspond.

All-party delegation to meet Centre

The Karnataka Government has also proposed sending an all-party delegation to the Centre to present the State’s position on the Kasturirangan Report and the latest draft notification.

Shivakumar said the delegation would meet the Prime Minister and Union Ministers. He also called upon Karnataka’s Members of Parliament to present the State’s position collectively.

The proposed delegation is part of the State’s broader effort to seek changes to the draft notification before the final boundaries and provisions are determined.

The Kasturirangan-related proposals have been the subject of debate in Karnataka for several years, particularly because of their potential implications for land use, agriculture, development and environmental regulation in Western Ghats regions.

Government highlights farmers and local communities

During the Assembly debate, Shivakumar said environmental protection and the interests of people living in the Western Ghats would both have to be considered.

He said farmers, tribals and families that have lived in the region for generations should not be displaced or harassed.

The Chief Minister also referred to issues involving Bagair Hukum land, the Forest Rights Act, deemed forests, land grants and pending court cases. He said these matters should be examined before action is taken against local residents.

These issues are particularly relevant in Western Ghats areas where agricultural and residential settlements exist close to forest boundaries.

The State Government’s position, as stated in the Legislature, is that the environmental objectives of protecting the Western Ghats should be pursued while also taking into account the rights and livelihoods of people living in the region.

No fresh encroachments, says Government

The Government has also stated that the review of the Kasturirangan recommendations would not mean allowing fresh encroachments in forest areas.

Shivakumar said fresh encroachments would not be permitted and that strict action would be taken against illegal hunting.

The Government also highlighted the use of technology for wildlife conservation and managing human-wildlife conflict. According to the Chief Minister, cameras and systems to monitor elephant movement are being used as part of these efforts.

The administration has therefore sought to distinguish between protecting notified forest areas and examining the status of long-established settlements, agricultural holdings and other properties that may fall within or near the proposed eco-sensitive zones.

What the resolution means

The unanimous resolution does not itself conclude the wider process surrounding the Kasturirangan recommendations. Instead, Karnataka is seeking a review, a fresh physical survey, modifications to the proposed notification and additional time to complete the exercise.

The State’s proposed approach involves consultations and verification at multiple levels, including the proposed high-level committee and Gram Panchayat-level committees.

The Centre’s draft notification of July 27, 2026, remains the basis for the State’s objections and proposed modifications. The Karnataka Government has sought one year to complete its survey and submit recommendations to the Centre.

The next stages will therefore depend on the proposed survey, the recommendations of the committee and discussions between the State and Central Governments.

Focus remains on Western Ghats protection and livelihoods

The Western Ghats are ecologically significant, while the Karnataka portions also contain numerous villages, farms, plantations and other human settlements.

The debate over the Kasturirangan Report has consequently involved environmental protection as well as questions concerning land, agriculture, habitation and livelihoods.

With the Karnataka Legislature now having adopted a unanimous resolution seeking a review, the State Government is expected to pursue discussions with the Centre and begin the proposed survey process.

The Government has reiterated that its stated approach is to protect the Western Ghats and its biodiversity while addressing the concerns of farmers and local communities.