States » SouthPosted at: Sep 17 2026 8:45PM


Shivakumar seeks ground reality on Kasturirangan report before final stand

Mangaluru, Sep 17 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the government's final position on the contentious Kasturirangan report would be informed by ground realities, as he stepped up consultations with farmers, local residents, elected representatives and activists ahead of the special Legislature session.
With the report expected to figure prominently in the session, Shivakumar said the government would first assess how its implementation could affect people living in the coastal and Malnad regions before arriving at any final view.
“Before discussing the issue in the Assembly or arriving at any final opinion, we need to know the facts on the ground. I am visiting different districts and meeting ordinary farmers, local people, elected representatives and activists to understand their problems,” he told reporters at Mangaluru airport.
The Chief Minister said the government had already taken a stand against implementation of the Kasturirangan report, but acknowledged that the issue involved different views and pressures.
The special session, he said, would provide an opportunity for legislators to express their views and bring the concerns of affected communities into the debate.
The session would not be confined to the Kasturirangan report. Farmers' problems and the drought situation would also be discussed, particularly issues having a direct impact on rural livelihoods, Shivakumar said.
The Chief Minister's ground-level consultations come amid longstanding concerns in the coastal and Malnad regions over balancing environmental protection with development.
Shivakumar said the government was working on a broader development framework for the two regions, aimed at making better use of their natural resources and human capital while creating local opportunities to check migration.
Karnataka's 340-km coastline offered considerable potential for development and needed to be utilised effectively, he said.
“The coastal and Malnad regions have some of the most educated, aware and talented human resources in Karnataka. We need to create opportunities locally and empower this human capital,” he said.
Shivakumar also referred to demands that had remained pending for 30 to 40 years. People from the coastal region had raised several issues over the years, while elected representatives, including BJP MLAs and MPs, had also placed their demands before the government.
“I have taken note of several of these demands. They expect us to stand by them. If we do not, who else will?” he said.
The issues are expected to come up for discussion at the special Cabinet meeting scheduled in Mangaluru on Friday, after which the government will announce its decisions.
Asked about Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad's remarks concerning Umar Khalid, Shivakumar said he had no information about the matter and would speak to Hariprasad.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Shivakumar seeks ground reality on Kasturirangan report before final stand
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