Fresh Ground Survey on Kasturirangan Report to Be Completed in a Year: Minister

Fresh Ground Survey on Kasturirangan Report to Be Completed in a Year: Minister

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 15, 2026: Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said the state government will conduct a fresh ground-level survey on the Kasturirangan Report and submit its findings to the Union Government within a year.

Addressing a press conference at Pilikula Nisargadhama on Sunday, the minister said the Karnataka government had rejected the report six times and had now sought the Centre’s permission to conduct a seventh survey to establish the ground realities.

District-level committees will be constituted and directed to initiate the survey, he said.

Reddy also said the state government had submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking simplification of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations.

The government would focus on promoting coastal tourism and fisheries, conserving mangrove forests and endangered biodiversity, and preventing marine pollution, particularly plastic waste from entering the sea. A coordinated action plan involving four departments would be implemented for this purpose, he added.

The minister said a decision had also been taken to transfer Pilikula Zoo to the Karnataka Zoo Authority.

On the proposed elephant camp at Sullia, Reddy said a survey had found the identified location unsuitable for establishing the facility.

Former MLA J R Lobo, Forest Conservator Kamala Karikalan, Deputy Conservator of Forests Ravishankar, Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Managing Director Dr V Karikalan and Pilikula Development Authority Commissioner Dr Arun Shetty were among those present.