BJP seeks Keralam-model survey on Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats

The Opposition BJP members in the Assembly on Monday urged the Karnataka government to undertake a physical survey, on the lines of Keralam, to ascertain ground realities before taking a final stand on the implementation of the Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats.

Participating in the debate in the Legislative Assembly on the report’s implications for the livelihoods of people in the region, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok suggested that the government constitute a panel of lawyers specialising in environment and forest matters to present Karnataka’s case before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court.

Mr. Ashok said the BJP was ready to join a delegation led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to meet the Union government and press for measures to protect the interests of farmers and residents of the Western Ghats.