Karnataka opposes Centre’s notification on Western Ghats

The Karnataka government late on Monday decided to oppose the union government’s draft notification declaring around 20,668 sqkm land in the Western Ghats as eco-sensitive area.

At a meeting chaired by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai which was attended by former chief minister B S Yeddiyurappa, Speaker VishvewsarHeggadeKaggeri, ministers and legislators from Malnad and coastal districts, the members unanimously opposed the Centre’s notification and explore all options available including filing objections or to approach courts for relief.

 “At the meeting, members decided that a delegation of MLAs, MPs and ministers from coastal and Malnad regions will go to the Centre to clarify the state’s stand,” Home Minister AragaJnanendra told The Daily Guardian Review.

“We also decided to go to court against the Centre’s move if necessary. Simultaneously, we will also take up awareness creation activities among people in the nine states to evolve public opinion against the notification,” said Jnanendra adding that the Centre did not factor in objections and concerns raised by the state in the past.

“The area has been demarcated without a scientific survey,” the home minister said. He insisted that if the report is implemented, it will jeopardise the lives and livelihoods of rural people in the Malnad region.

The Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) issued a draft notification recently, announcing 46,832 sq km of ESA in five states along the Western Ghats as per recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee. Of this area, Karnataka has the highest (20,668 sq km). All states concerned have been given three months’ time to file objections.

This is the fifth time the MoEFCC has issued a gazette notification, inviting objections for the identification and declaration of ESAs in the Western Ghats.