Bengaluru: Ministers and MLAs representing constituencies in the Western Ghats region have voiced strong opposition to the creation of buffer zones. During a discussion on the implementation of the Kasturirangan report, a key recommendation put forth by the group was to eliminate buffer zones entirely.
The meeting held on Thursday at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru was attended by political representatives from 11 districts and 39 taluks, along with forest department officials, including those from Kodagu. The Kasturirangan report, which aims to protect environmentally sensitive areas within the Western Ghats, mandates the conservation of 20,668 sq km of forest land. However, stakeholders pointed out that 16,114 sq km of this land is already protected under various categories, such as tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserve forests. They argued that there is no need to include more areas in the protective ambit, and instead, buffer zone regulations should be relaxed.
Forest, Environment, and Ecology Minister Eshwar B. Khandre, who was present at the meeting, clarified that the call to abolish buffer zones was merely a suggestion from the ministers and MLAs. "We have suggested that there should be zero buffer zones," Khandre said. He acknowledged that the Supreme Court’s directions on maintaining buffer zones cannot be ignored, and thus, completely rejecting the Kasturirangan report would not be feasible. "This matter is in the apex court, and a total rejection would reflect poorly on the state."
Khandre explained that while the implementation of the report in its entirety might not be possible, a partial approach would be practical. "Already, 16,114 sq km of the Western Ghats is under protection. The demand from the ministers and MLAs for a resurvey of forest land could further reveal that the state's protected area surpasses the 20,668 sq km recommended in the Kasturirangan report. A decision on this resurvey is yet to be made," he added.
The Kasturirangan Report:
The Kasturirangan report, named after Dr. K. Kasturirangan, was submitted in 2013 as a directive for the protection and sustainable management of the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the world's most ecologically rich regions, home to diverse flora and fauna. The report identified 37% of the Western Ghats (or approximately 60,000 sq km) as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA). It recommended restrictions on developmental activities such as mining, large-scale construction, and certain types of agricultural practices in these areas. The report has been a subject of heated debate, with local communities and politicians expressing concerns over its potential impact on livelihoods and development.
The meeting highlighted the growing political pushback against the implementation of the report in Karnataka, particularly concerning buffer zone regulations. Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister's legal advisor A.S. Ponnanna, along with Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda, also participated in the meeting. Both Ponnanna and Gowda echoed the sentiment that buffer zones should be reconsidered, aligning with the broader view shared by their colleagues.
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