Karnataka Minister Says 80% of Draft ESA Already Protected, Seeks Exclusion of 1,449 Villages

Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister B. Eshwar Khandre, who previously held the Forest portfolio, told the Legislative Assembly on Monday that about 80% of the draft Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notified by the Centre in the state is already part of tiger reserves or reserved and protected forests.

Speaking during a debate on the Kasturirangan report, Mr. Khandre said that of the total 20,668 sq. km identified as ESA in Karnataka, roughly 16,000 sq. km falls under tiger reserves or protected forests. However, he flagged a concern: 1,449 villages spread across 10 districts have also been included in the ESA. "We need to convince the Centre to drop these villages from the ESA," he said.

The Minister pointed out that for neighbouring Kerala, the ESA had been reduced from 13,000 sq. km to 9,900 sq. km to ensure that people's livelihoods were not affected. He suggested a similar consideration for Karnataka's affected villages.

Mr. Khandre also alleged that the committee led by forest officer Sanjay Kumar, constituted by the Centre to examine the opinions of states and affected people on the Kasturirangan report, had not visited the affected villages. "If that committee had executed its responsibilities properly, Karnataka would have got justice," he argued.

At the same time, he stressed the need to strike a balance between environmental protection and the livelihoods of people. He noted that the Western Ghats are pristine and important for the survival of people, as several rivers originate in these hills. The challenge, he said, was to protect the ecology while ensuring that local communities are not deprived of their means of living.

Congress member A.S. Ponnanna expressed concern that 46.5% of the Western Ghats area in Karnataka had been categorised as ESA in the draft notification issued by the Centre. "The bone of contention is the cultural landscape, as this has been decided without consulting people or visiting the affected area," he said.

The debate highlighted the ongoing tension between conservation efforts and the rights of communities living in and around the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot. The Kasturirangan report, officially known as the Report of the High Level Working Group on Western Ghats, had recommended classifying large tracts as ecologically sensitive. The Centre's draft notification seeks to implement these recommendations, but states and local residents have raised objections over the extent of the area and the lack of consultation.

Karnataka has been seeking a balanced approach, with ministers arguing that areas already protected as forests or tiger reserves should not be double-counted, and that inhabited villages should be excluded from the ESA to prevent undue hardship. The final decision rests with the Centre, which is examining the feedback from states and stakeholders.

The Minister's remarks come amid wider discussions on how to protect the Western Ghats, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site and a source of major rivers like the Kaveri, Krishna, and Godavari. Environmentalists emphasise the need to preserve the Ghats, while local communities and elected representatives stress the importance of livelihood security and democratic consultation.

The Assembly debate reflected these competing concerns, with members urging the Centre to revisit the draft notification and address the grievances of affected villages. The outcome will have significant implications for the region's ecology and the people who depend on it.