Farmers take out protest march in Hosanagara opposing ESA notification
Farmers in Karnataka's Hosanagara region held a protest march against the Union government's notification declaring parts of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area. Protesters argue that the notification threatens human habitats and livelihoods, demanding a physical survey similar to one conducted in Kerala.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights the ongoing tension between environmental conservation efforts and the land rights of local agricultural communities.
Hundreds of farmers took part in a protest march from Karanagiri to Hosanagara, about nine kilometres, on Saturday, opposing the seventh draft notification declaring over 20,668 sq. km. of area around the Western Ghats in the State as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
Under the banner of the Western Ghats Raitha Sahakari Vedike, farmers and elected representatives participated in the march. All along the route, they raised slogans against the notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. They carried placards opposing the Kasturirangan Committee report, on the basis of which the notification has been issued.
Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra, former Minister Araga Jnanendra, Sagar MLA Belur Gopal Krishna, and Western Ghats Raitha Sahakari Okkuta president M.R. Manjunath Gowda, among others, took part in the protest and addressed the gathering at Hosanagara.
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