CM to apprise PM Modi of Assembly resolution rejecting Kasturirangan report
Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar seeks meeting with PM Modi to discuss the Kasturirangan report rejection and the worsening drought crisis in the state.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking an urgent appointment to discuss critical state matters. The Chief Minister intends to brief the Prime Minister on the Karnataka Legislative Assembly's recent decision to reject the Kasturirangan report and the escalating drought crisis threatening the state's agricultural stability.
Crisis in the Fields: 200 Taluks Facing Drought
The state is grappling with a severe environmental challenge, with Shivakumar highlighting that more than 200 taluks are on the brink of being officially declared drought-hit. The lack of rainfall has left most reservoirs nearly empty, creating a dire situation for the farming community.
"It's a very serious concern. Already the Prime Minister had warned us, but except for one dam, nothing has been filled up. So a huge loss has been done to the farmers, and we are facing a lot of problems," the Chief Minister stated, noting that the Assembly has already held dedicated discussions regarding this crisis.
The Kasturirangan Report Controversy
A major point of discussion will be the unanimous resolution passed by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly earlier this month. The House rejected the Kasturirangan report regarding the conservation of the Western Ghats in its current format. The state's position involves several key demands concerning the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) classification:
- Exclusion of Key Zones: The resolution demands that inhabited regions, plantations, and agricultural lands be excluded from the ESA designation.
- Precise Identification: The state insists that specific survey numbers must be clearly identified to avoid broad, sweeping classifications.
Addressing the Mekedatu Dam Dispute
Shivakumar also addressed the long-standing tensions surrounding the Mekedatu dam project. He sought to reassure Tamil Nadu that the project would not lead to the misuse of water for irrigation. He noted that a central government team had inspected the terrain and observed that the dam's proximity to the Tamil Nadu border limits its utility for irrigation purposes.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the project is primarily linked to securing the water supply for Bengaluru, asserting that the fears of water diversion are unfounded based on the geographical reality of the site.
Infrastructure and Defence Land in Bengaluru
In a separate development during his visit to New Delhi, the Chief Minister met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss urban development in Bengaluru. Shivakumar highlighted several pending issues involving Defence land that require swift intervention:
- Iblur Firing Range: A proposal to transform approximately 730 acres of Defence land into a permanent public park and "lung space" for the city, without commercial development.
- Slum Redevelopment: Seeking a solution for 10 notified slums located on roughly 43.8 acres of Defence land. The state has suggested a land-swap model, offering equivalent government land elsewhere to facilitate repairs and redevelopment, especially following recent monsoon flooding.
While expressing gratitude for the Ministry of Defence's cooperation with Bengaluru's local bodies, the Chief Minister flagged seven specific issues that require expedited resolution to ensure the city's infrastructure can keep pace with its growth.