Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday, September 18, 2026, said the state government would discuss the demand for a physical survey of areas covered by the Kasturirangan report before taking a decision. The announcement followed residents, elected representatives, and organisations in Hebri in Udupi district.
CM Hears Concerns in Udupi
Shivakumar said the government wanted to understand the concerns of people living in the Western Ghats region before finalising Karnataka's response to the Centre.
Residents and representatives asked the government to conduct a ground-level physical survey to determine which areas should actually fall under the proposed Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA).
The Chief Minister said that the suggestions for an expert committee and a physical survey based on the Kerala model would be discussed with officials.
What Is the Kasturirangan Report?
The Kasturirangan Committee also studied the Western Ghats and recommended that around 37 per cent of the mountain range (about 60,000 sq km across six states) be designated as Eco-Sensitive Area.
The recommendations cover parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is intended to enhance environmental protection and support development and livelihood activities.
However, the identification of inhabited areas still has been a major concern among residents and representatives in Karnataka.
Why Is a Physical Survey Being Demanded?
At the Hebri meeting, representatives said that satellite and GPS mapping could have led to populated areas being included in the proposed ESA.
They called for a physical assessment to distinguish forests from villages, plantations, and other inhabited areas.
According to the representatives of Kerala, they did a physical survey through a high-level committee and reduced the area covered by the recommendations. They suggested Karnataka do a similar exercise before going to the Centre to deliver its final response.
Karnataka Faces September 27 Deadline
Shivakumar said Karnataka has to communicate its position to the Centre by September 27. He also said the government would seek views from people in other Western Ghats districts like Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru.
The Karnataka government has also convened a special assembly session from September 21 to 23, with the Kasturirangan report among the issues to be discussed.
Debate Over Farmers and Conservation
The issue is one of environmental protection and the livelihoods of the communities living in the Western Ghats.
Karnataka government representatives have expressed concern about the impact of the recommendations on farmers and residents. Meanwhile, the proposed ESA framework is to secure ecologically sensitive parts of the Western Ghats from mining, quarrying, and some industrial activities.
The state government now will look at the public’s suggestions and consult officials in the near future on whether to conduct a physical survey.
No final decision to conduct the survey has been made yet. The next important developments are expected during the special Assembly session and ahead of Karnataka's September 27 deadline for communicating its position to the Centre.
