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Malnad Divided: Kasturirangan Report Sparks Fierce Debate
21 Sep
Summary
- Debate over Kasturirangan report implementation continues after 13 years.
- Activists allege misinformation to protect commercial interests.
- Report's delayed Kannada translation hinders public understanding.
Thirteen years after the High Level Working Group on the Western Ghats submitted its report, debate over its implementation persists in the Malnad region. Activists accuse vested interests, including politicians, of spreading misinformation to facilitate environmentally damaging projects like mining and tourism. They claim the delayed Kannada translation of the report has prevented a full public understanding of its recommendations.
Environmentalists clarify that the report primarily targets red-category industries and large projects in ecologically sensitive areas, not local communities. They assert that the report does not propose evictions or impact land rights. Conservationists argue that the Wildlife Protection Act offers stronger safeguards, yet even its provisions are being weakened to permit projects like the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project. They emphasize the need for a dedicated development policy for Malnad and advocate for Gram Sabhas to manage natural resources.
