Farmers, elected representatives urge State govt. to oppose ESA draft notification, make suggestions

Farmers and elected representatives from Shivamogga district opposed the draft notification proposing to declare areas across the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) at an interaction on the Kasturirangan report with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday. They also offered suggestions to resolve the problems faced by farmers of the Malnad region.

Senior Congress leader B.R. Jayanth said the farming community in the region was already facing many difficulties under the existing rules and laws. However, if the recommendations of the Kasturirangan committee came into effect, people would be left with no option but to vacate the region.