Kasturirangan report threatens livelihoods: Karnataka Chief Minister

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday told the Legislative Assembly that the proposed implementation of the Kasturirangan Committee report could threaten the livelihoods of people in 10 districts of Karnataka, even as he reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to protecting the livelihoods of farmers and residents of the Western Ghats.

Making a statement during the debate on the report, Mr. Shivakumar said its recommendations had created “an atmosphere of fear” among farmers. “More than six rivers originate and flow through the Western Ghats. The proposal of unscientific measures has caused widespread anxiety regarding people’s livelihoods,” he said.

Before attending the session, Mr. Shivakumar had toured the coastal and Malnad regions, which would be affected by the report, and had held meetings with people in Karkala, Tirthahalli, Sakleshpur and Balehonnur and heard their concerns.