Special session beginning on Sept. 21 likely to adopt resolution against Kasturirangan report

Under a cloud of anxiety and fear over livelihood issues and the impact on agricultural activities, all eyes are now on the special legislature session convened to discuss the impact of K. Kasturirangan’s report and the prevailing drought situation in Karnataka.

After a near-total washout of the Monsoon Session of the State legislature in August, the three-day special session commencing on Monday (September 21) is expected to pass a resolution against the implementation of the Kasturirangan report in its current form, while more taluks could be declared drought-hit.

“We are expecting the legislature to pass a unanimous resolution against the Kasturirangan report, the draft of which has been published. The draft in its current form cannot be accepted. A statement on drought is also expected to be approved by the legislature,” a senior leader told The Hindu. There have been no political differences over the Kasturirangan report across the political spectrum, sources said.

The draft notification on the Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was issued on July 27, and the State has a 60-day window to file its objections. Karnataka has rejected the report six times since it was submitted to the Centre in 2013, the latest being by the Cabinet headed by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2024.

While Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who over the past two days has been gathering feedback from the public and leaders in areas affected by the Kasturirangan report, has insisted that the special session has been convened only to discuss the two issues on the agenda, the Opposition is trying to bring other issues into the debate as well. The legislature agenda released for the session has discussion on the Kasturirangan report alone on the first day.

With the State required to respond to the draft notification on the Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) identified by the report, discussions in the legislature could focus on suggestions for modifying the notification, which has caused anxiety and fear among residents. The draft has notified 20,668 sq. km, covering about 1,449 villages across 10 districts, under the ESA.

Drought discussion

Meanwhile, as the monsoon season draws to a close with only a few weeks left, and deficit rainfall having already caused heavy losses to the agriculture sector, the Opposition is expected to increase pressure on the government over drought relief. The government projects that close to 3,500 villages across 200 taluks could face a drinking water crisis in the coming months.

While 26 districts have recorded deficit rainfall since the start of the season, one district has reported a large deficit. Only three districts have received normal rainfall, while one district has received excess rainfall. Karnataka, which had earlier declared 101 taluks as drought-affected, added 23 more taluks to the list last week, while a ground-truthing exercise has been announced for 53 more taluks. More taluks are expected to be declared drought-hit in the coming weeks.

The State, however, is yet to formally submit a proposal to the Centre seeking financial assistance for drought mitigation, as the ground-truthing exercise is still under way. Interestingly, drought relief became a political flashpoint in 2024 when the Congress government in Karnataka approached the Supreme Court after the Centre delayed releasing drought assistance. It was only after the Apex Court intervened that ₹3,400 crore was released.

With the Congress likely to raise the issue of a farm loan waiver, placing the onus on the Centre, the issue is expected to draw sharp reactions from the Opposition BJP and Janata Dal (Secular).