The Kasturirangan Report suggests that human activities can continue across much of the Western Ghats. However, the Karnataka Assembly unanimously voted against its key recommendations, citing data accuracy and livelihood concerns.
Key Developments
- Assembly rejected the report’s use of 2012 remote‑sensing data.
- Proposal to label any revenue village as an ESA if ≥20% of its area is sensitive could bring farmland and settlements under strict regulation.
- Centre’s 2013‑14 directive asked states to ground‑truth the recommendations, sparking bipartisan opposition in Karnataka.
- Other states show progress: Gujarat nearing an agreement, Tamil Tamil Nadu without major dispute, Kerala seeking to reduce its ESA area, Maharashtra and Goa requesting village exclusions.
- Centre’s 2024 decision allows ESAs to be notified state‑by‑state, increasing pressure on Karnataka to produce an alternative map.
Important Facts
Karnataka holds the largest share of the proposed ESAs by area. The Assembly’s resolution calls for a new map, but the state must balance farmer and worker anxieties with its conservation responsibilities. Delays in finalising ESAs keep businesses uncertain about permissible development, affecting investment and local economies.
Exam Relevance
This issue touches on multiple GS papers: GS3 – Environment (conservation of biodiversity hotspots, ESA policy), GS2 – Polity (centre‑state relations, legislative resolutions), and GS4 – Ethics (balancing development with ecological stewardship). Understanding the Kasturirangan and Gadgil reports, the ESA framework, and the political dynamics of federalism is essential for answer writing in both prelims and mains.
Way Forward
- Karnataka should conduct transparent ground‑truthing and involve local stakeholders to build consensus.
- The state could propose a tiered ESA classification, distinguishing core zones from buffer zones to protect critical habitats while allowing limited agriculture.
- Co‑ordination with neighbouring states is vital to maintain the ecological continuity of the Ghats.
- Centre should provide clear guidelines and timelines to reduce policy uncertainty for businesses.
Only a balanced, scientifically‑backed and politically‑sensitive approach can reconcile development aspirations with the need to preserve the Western Ghats for future generations.