Full Breakdown
Karnataka Legislature Rejects Centre’s Draft ESA Notification on Western Ghats
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 22 2026, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council unanimously adopted a resolution rejecting the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s seventh draft notification that would designate 20,668 sq km across 10 districts and 1,449 villages of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA). The resolution calls for a one-year extension to conduct a ground-level physical survey and to modify the proposed boundaries before any final decision is taken.
Background & Context
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot, have been the subject of two major expert reviews. The 2011 Madhav Gadgil Committee recommended declaring the entire 1,29,037 sq km of the range as ecologically sensitive. After opposition, the Centre formed a high-level working group chaired by former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan in 2012. The panel submitted its report on April 15 2013, recommending about 59,940 sq km (? 37 % of the Western Ghats) across six states be designated as ESA. Subsequent drafts refined the Karnataka-specific area, most recently to 20,668 sq km on July 27 2026.
Timeline
- April 15 2013 – Kasturirangan panel report.
- July 27 2026 – Centre issues seventh draft ESA notification.
- September 22 2026 – Karnataka Assembly and Council pass unanimous resolution rejecting the draft.
- September 27 2026 (scheduled) – Centre requests Karnataka’s final stance.
Data & Statistics
- Proposed ESA area in Karnataka: 20,668 sq km (? 16 % of the state).
- Affected villages: 1,449 (some sources cite 1,576).
- Districts: Belagavi, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Kodagu, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi, Uttara Kannada.
- National recommendation: ? 59,940 sq km (37 % of the Western Ghats).
Official Statements & Responses
The state argues that the draft’s reliance on satellite imagery and blanket demarcation threatens agricultural lands, plantations, residential houses and public amenities, creating legal and livelihood complications. It proposes a survey-number-level ground verification to separate forest, agricultural and inhabited zones, and asks the Centre to limit ESA designation to already-notified forest lands while considering pending land-rights issues.
The Union Ministry maintains that the draft follows the Kasturirangan recommendations and that ESA designation is essential for conserving biodiversity while allowing routine farming and plantation activities.
Criticism & Opposition
The BJP, represented by R Ashoka, criticized the state’s handling of drought relief and urged demonstration of financial capacity before further debate. The party also called for a “Kerala-model” physical survey to ensure accurate ground-level data, warning against politicising the issue.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Village count: Most sources list 1,449 villages, while a few mention 1,576.
- Area figure: The draft cites 20,668 sq km, yet earlier drafts referenced 56,000 sq km for the whole Western Ghats across six states, creating ambiguity about the proportion applicable to Karnataka.
- Methodology: The state disputes the satellite-only approach, whereas the Centre defends it as a baseline pending physical verification.
What’s Next
Karnataka has asked the Centre to postpone any final ESA decision for one year to complete the physical survey and submit its recommendations. The state plans to present its findings before the September 27 2026 deadline and to seek a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of an all-party delegation. The high-level committee, led by a retired judge, is expected to deliver its report within the stipulated year.