Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Friday, September 19, 2026, that his government would consider a physical survey of the Western Ghats. Speaking to residents in Hebri, Udupi district, the Chief Minister emphasized assessing ground realities before making a final decision on implementing the contentious Kasturirangan Committee report.
Shivakumar's visit to Hebri formed part of a broader series of consultations designed to hear directly from communities potentially impacted by the report's recommendations. He stated his primary purpose was to understand local concerns firsthand, acknowledging that residents possessed superior knowledge of their immediate environment. The government faces a deadline of September 27 to submit its official opinion on the matter. "I have come here to listen to people, and those living here know the ground situation better," Shivakumar affirmed, assuring the community that decisions would reflect actual conditions.
Further steps include a special Legislature session scheduled from September 21 to 23, where discussions will encompass the Kasturirangan report alongside drought-related issues. The Chief Minister also indicated the government might establish a technical and expert committee to thoroughly study the situation, potentially drawing insights from the model adopted by Kerala.
Addressing the Forest Rights Act, Shivakumar mentioned the government's intent to consider a resolution in the Assembly. This resolution would aim to guarantee equal rights and benefits for tribal and other forest-dependent communities. He underscored the critical need to integrate community concerns into environmental protection policies. "Conservation and the livelihood of people have to be considered together," he stressed, highlighting the responsibility of elected representatives and the administration to grasp public sentiment directly.
Responding to specific local demands, the Chief Minister confirmed that officials would examine the feasibility of upgrading the community hospital in Karkala to a full-fledged taluk hospital.
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📰 Source: Mangalore Today