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Karnataka CM Urges Centre to Address CZMP, Western Ghats ESA Concerns
- •Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar pressed Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav to address state concerns regarding the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) and the proposed Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) notification.
- •Shivakumar highlighted "inaccuracies" in the approved CZMP, citing issues with CRZ classification, survey boundaries, existing settlements, fishing infrastructure, and traditional livelihood areas.
- •The state seeks survey-number-wise verification of CZMP maps, recognition of traditional fishing infrastructure, and permission for repair/reconstruction of established coastal settlements within the CRZ framework.
- •Karnataka reiterated its objection to including agricultural lands, plantations, human habitations, and livelihood areas in the Western Ghats ESA, proposing survey-number-wise physical verification.
- •The CM emphasized that Karnataka seeks accurate mapping, scientific delineation, and a balanced regulatory approach to protect both the environment and traditional livelihoods, not a dilution of protection.
Key Questions Answered
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar raised concerns over inaccuracies in the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan, including issues with CRZ classification, survey boundaries, existing settlements, fishing infrastructure, and traditional livelihood areas. He urged the Centre to use authenticated revenue records and the latest satellite imagery for survey-number-wise verification.
Karnataka has reiterated its objection to including agricultural lands, plantations, human habitations, and livelihood areas in the proposed Western Ghats ESA. The state has requested survey-number-wise physical verification and scientific ground-truthing before the notification is finalised.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly unanimously rejected the seventh draft notification on the Western Ghats ESA issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on July 27, 2026. The resolution called for a fresh, ground-level survey to protect farmers and residents from adverse impacts on housing and land property partitions.
