Udupi: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will hold public meetings in Udupi, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts on September 18 and 19 to hear the concerns of residents who could be affected by the implementation of the Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats.

The meetings come ahead of a three-day special session of the Karnataka Legislature scheduled from September 21 to 23 to discuss the report and its implications for people living in the Western Ghats region.

Shivakumar to visit three districts

According to the Chief Minister’s itinerary, Shivakumar will first chair a Cabinet meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office complex, Praja Soudha, in Mangaluru at 10 am on September 18.

He will then travel by helicopter to Hebri in Udupi district, where he is scheduled to hold a public meeting at 3 pm.

On September 19, the Chief Minister will travel to Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district for a meeting at 10 am. Later, he will proceed to Balehonnur in Chikkamagaluru district for another public meeting at 1 pm.

The meetings are intended to provide residents with an opportunity to place their concerns before the State Government, particularly in areas that could be affected by recommendations concerning conservation of the Western Ghats.

Kasturirangan report sparks concern

The Kasturirangan report has remained a contentious issue in the Western Ghats, particularly among farmers and residents who fear that implementation of conservation-related recommendations could affect agriculture, land use and livelihoods.

At the same time, environmental concerns surrounding the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats have remained a key part of the debate.

The State Government has maintained that environmental protection and the interests of local communities need to be considered together while deciding how the recommendations should be handled.

Tirthahalli MLA and former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra recently said the BJP would support the State Government in arriving at a decision on the report and participate in the special Legislature session. He called for a non-partisan discussion that takes into account both Western Ghats conservation and the interests of residents.

Government plans special Legislature session

The State Government has called a three-day special session from September 21 to 23 to discuss the Kasturirangan report.

Chief Minister Shivakumar has said the final decision would be taken keeping the interests of farmers in mind and that legislators should freely express their views and suggestions during the session.

The special session is expected to provide a platform for representatives from the affected regions to raise concerns about the possible impact of the report and discuss the State’s position on its implementation.

The issue has also drawn demands for a more detailed assessment of conditions on the ground.

Call for fact-finding committee

Dakshina Kannada MLC Ivan D’Souza has urged Karnataka MPs from all political parties to press the Centre to establish a fact-finding committee before taking steps to implement the Kasturirangan recommendations.

D’Souza said the impact on local residents should be assessed and actual forest boundaries verified before any decision is taken. He also said a meeting of stakeholders from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi would be convened to gather the views of people who could be affected.

He has also said the issue would be raised during the special session of the Karnataka Legislature.

Public meetings to gather local views

The Chief Minister’s meetings in Hebri, Thirthahalli and Balehonnur are significant because these areas are located in the Malnad and Western Ghats region, where residents have been expressing concerns over possible restrictions arising from implementation of the report.

The government’s decision to directly hear residents before the special session indicates an attempt to gather local views as the State works towards its position on the issue.

With the meetings scheduled just days before the Legislature session, the concerns raised by residents and local representatives could become part of the wider discussion on the report.

Western Ghats conservation versus livelihoods

The Kasturirangan debate involves balancing two major concerns — protecting the fragile ecology of the Western Ghats and ensuring that conservation measures do not adversely affect people who depend on agriculture and other local economic activities.

Stakeholders have repeatedly called for clarity over the actual areas that could come under any proposed restrictions and for proper consultation with residents.

The September 18 and 19 meetings are therefore expected to be closely watched by farmers, local organisations and political representatives in the three districts.

The government will subsequently face the task of considering these views during the special Legislature session and determining its approach to the Kasturirangan report.