Story perspectives

Karnataka Sets Special Session to Review Eco-Sensitive Area Plan

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 4:26 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Karnataka government convened a three-day special session to debate the Kasturirangan report and drought.
The session began on Monday, September 21, to consider the seventh draft ESA notification issued July 27.
The draft earmarks 20,668 sq km and 1,449 villages in ten districts as an Eco-Sensitive Area.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said decisions will follow consultations with farmers in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Hassan.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s budget, notified Eco-Sensitive Zones around the Western Ghats, applying the 2002 Wildlife Conservation Strategy’s 10 km buffer. After Supreme Court’s 2022 order for a 1 km ESZ, Karnataka’s 2024 session led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar revived Kasturirangan report to broaden ESZ coverage across ten districts, aiming to protect water for millions.

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Story summary

Karnataka government convened a three-day special session to debate the Kasturirangan report and drought.
The session began on Monday, September 21, to consider the seventh draft ESA notification issued July 27.
The draft earmarks 20,668 sq km and 1,449 villages in ten districts as an Eco-Sensitive Area.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said decisions will follow consultations with farmers in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Hassan.

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