Karnataka Seeks State-Specific Flexibility in Coastal and Western Ghats Plans
CM DK Shivakumar urges Centre for state-specific flexibility in Coastal Zone Management Plan and Western Ghats ESA to protect local livelihoods.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has officially reached out to the Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, Bhupender Yadav, to address critical concerns regarding the revision of the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) and the proposed notification of the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
In a formal letter, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Central Government to consider Karnataka’s unique ecological, developmental, and livelihood requirements before finalizing these two vital environmental frameworks.
Addressing Coastal Zone Management Inaccuracies
The Chief Minister highlighted that the State Government has been flooded with representations from various stakeholders, including fishing communities, local bodies, and coastal residents. These groups have pointed out significant inaccuracies in the current approved plan, particularly concerning:
- CRZ Classification: Discrepancies in how coastal regulation zones are categorized.
- Boundary Errors: Inaccuracies in survey boundaries and existing settlement maps.
- Livelihood Infrastructure: The need for formal recognition of fishing infrastructure, such as boat repair facilities, net-mending areas, and fish-processing units.
- Settlement Protection: Ensuring long-established coastal settlements can undergo necessary repairs and improvements within the CRZ framework.
The State has specifically requested a survey-number-wise verification of CZMP maps, utilizing authenticated revenue records, recent satellite imagery, and ground-level verification to ensure accuracy. Shivakumar cited the example of Goa, noting that its CZMP framework successfully accommodates state-specific circumstances without weakening environmental protections.
Western Ghats ESA: Demand for Scientific Verification
Turning to the Western Ghats, the Chief Minister expressed serious concerns regarding the potential inclusion of agricultural lands, plantations, and human habitations within the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
To prevent unintended socio-economic impacts, Karnataka has proposed:
- Physical Verification: A survey-number-wise physical verification and scientific ground-truthing before the ESA notification is finalized.
- Consultation: Ensuring the Centre considers the recommendations of the High-Level Committee and engages in meaningful consultation with the Karnataka Government.
Balancing Conservation and Livelihoods
Crucially, DK Shivakumar clarified that Karnataka is not looking to weaken protections for highly sensitive environments. The State remains committed to safeguarding mangroves, sand dunes, and turtle nesting habitats (CRZ-I areas).
Instead, the focus is on achieving a balanced regulatory approach. The goal is to ensure that scientific delineation and accurate mapping protect the environment while simultaneously securing the livelihoods of traditional communities who depend on these coastal and forest regions.
The Chief Minister has also sent a detailed letter outlining these concerns to the Prime Minister, advocating for an approach based on scientific, cadastral, and field-level verification to ensure both environmental conservation and sustainable livelihood security.