Kasturirangan report: CM Shivakumar opens door to physical survey of Western Ghats

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Sep 19, 2026: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said the government would consider the demand for conducting a physical survey of the Western Ghats to assess ground realities before taking a final stand on implementing the Kasturirangan Committee report.

Speaking at an interaction with residents in Hebri, Shivakumar said he had come to the region primarily to listen to people’s concerns and understand the situation on the ground. The meeting was part of a series of consultations with communities that could be affected by the implementation of the report.

Shivakumar said the government has to submit its opinion on the issue by September 27. “I have come here to listen to people, and those living here know the ground situation better,” he said, assuring residents that their concerns would be examined and decisions taken based on ground realities.

The Chief Minister said the government has convened a special session of the Legislature from September 21 to 23 to discuss the Kasturirangan report and drought-related issues.

He said the government would consider constituting a technical and expert committee to study the situation and would also examine the model adopted by Kerala.

On the Forest Rights Act, Shivakumar said the government would consider bringing a resolution in the Assembly to ensure that tribal and other forest-dependent communities receive equal rights and benefits under the Act.

He stressed that the concerns of communities living in forest areas should be taken into account while framing environmental protection policies.

“Conservation and the livelihood of people have to be considered together,” Shivakumar said, adding that elected representatives and the government have a responsibility to understand people’s concerns firsthand.

Responding to local demands, the Chief Minister said the feasibility of upgrading the community hospital in Karkala into a taluk hospital would be examined.