✎ Karnataka opposes Kasturirangan Report citing farmer concerns, despite its aim to conserve Western Ghats biodiversity.
Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Economy/Governance
The Kasturirangan report, which proposes declaring parts of the Western Ghats as eco-sensitive areas (ESA), has faced strong opposition from Karnataka, with the state government refusing to implement it due to concerns over its impact on farmers. Minister Madhu Bangarappa stated that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will visit Shivamogga district—home to 484 such villages—to gather public opinion before the state’s special assembly session from September 21-23, where the drought situation and the report’s implementation will be discussed. The report, which covers 20,668 sq km across 1,576 villages, seeks to ban mining and red-category industries in the ESA while exempting agriculture and livelihood activities, but Karnataka alleges it will harass farmers, particularly in the Malnad region.
This issue holds significance for banking and government exam aspirants, especially for RBI Grade B and SSC exams, as it highlights the interplay between environmental conservation and livelihood concerns, a recurring theme in governance and economy sections. Questions on sustainable development, inter-state disputes over natural resources, and the role of central vs. state governments in policy implementation could arise, testing candidates’ understanding of federalism, environmental policies like the ESA framework, and their socio-economic implications.
Source: The Indian Express
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