Conveying Karnataka’s stand on the K. Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats to the Centre, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday urged Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav to address the State’s concerns over the revision of the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP).
During his meeting with the Union Minister in Delhi, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to consider Karnataka-specific ecological, livelihood and development concerns before finalising the two environmental frameworks.
“Karnataka has sought survey number-wise verification of CZMP maps using authenticated revenue records, the latest satellite imagery and ground verification, besides recognition for traditional fishing and fishery-related infrastructure. The State has also sought suitable treatment for traditional coastal land-use systems and other unique geographical features, along with consideration of community-oriented tourism and livelihood facilities,” he said in his letter. The State has also sought protection for long-established coastal settlements and community structures, and permission for their repair, reconstruction and improvement within the CRZ framework, he added.
Seeking State-specific flexibility within the CRZ framework, the Chief Minister clarified that Karnataka does not seek to dilute protection for ecologically sensitive areas, including mangroves, sand dunes, turtle-nesting habitats and other CRZ-I areas. “Karnataka’s consolidated proposals for revision of the approved CZMP could be subjected to detailed technical scrutiny, GIS-based examination and authenticated ground verification,” he said.
On the ecologically sensitive area notification for the Western Ghats, he urged the Centre to finalise the draft only after completion of the State’s proposed physical survey.
Published – September 28, 2026 06:50 pm IST
