Karnataka Should Emulate Keralam Model of Conducting Ground-level Survey: R. Ashoka
Ashoka, speaking on the Kasturirangan report in the Legislative Assembly, stated Keralam government conducted a ground-level survey, went to every village, identified where plantations and houses exist and prepared a report
BENGALURU: Leader of Opposition in Assembly R. Ashoka on Monday wanted the Karnataka government to emulate Keralam model of conducting a ground-level survey of villages to bring down the extent of ecologically sensitive area down as per Kasturirangan Committee report on Western Ghats.
Ashoka, speaking on the Kasturirangan report in the Legislative Assembly, stated Keralam government conducted a ground-level survey, went to every village, identified where plantations and houses exist and prepared a report. The report was then submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Union Government and based on the report of Keralam government, the extent of ecologically sensitive area was reduced.
“If the State Government does the same thing, plantations and houses of people in our State will be saved,” he suggested. The Western Ghats covers 1, 64, 280 sq kms from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Keralam and Tamil Nadu and Karnataka has 1, 576 villages covering 20, 668 sq km fall under ecologically sensitive area as per Kasturirangan report and the report if implemented will be disastrous for the people of this region since roads cannot be built villages, a bridge if it collapses, then it cannot be repaired, electricity connections cannot be given among many others.
Ashoka pointed to the ground-level survey report of Keralam government that not only reduced the ecologically sensitive area but brought down buffer zone area to zero and the Leader of Opposition wanted the State Government to appoint adept lawyers who have knowledge of the environment to argue in the Supreme Court.
He expressed fears that “If State Government does not respond, then, the Kasturirangan report will be implemented.” He wanted a ground-level survey conducted in Karnataka and to pass a resolution on Kasturirangan report to send it across to the Union Government.
MLA and Bharatiya Janata Party State president B.Y. Vijayendra asked the State Government to extend the session to discuss the Kasturirangan report for a week and a mere three-day session would serve no purpose at all.
Vijayendra asked the State Government to maintain a fine balance between environment protection and also to protect the people from the fringes of forest areas.