Narrowed posture: On Karnataka and the Kasturirangan Report

Environment & Ecology · 26 September 2026 · Based on The Hindu (original report)

2-minute summary

The editorial analyzes Karnataka's unanimous rejection of the Kasturirangan Committee's recommendations on designating Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats. Karnataka's resistance is rooted in concerns over the accuracy of the 2012 remote-sensing data used and the '20% rule,' which places an entire revenue village under ESA status if at least 20% of its area is ecologically sensitive, threatening local agriculture and livelihoods. While other Western Ghats states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Goa are progressively negotiating or nearing agreements with the Centre, Karnataka—which holds the largest share of the proposed ESAs—remains in deadlock. The Centre's 2024 decision to allow state-by-state notification of ESAs increases pressure on Karnataka. The article argues that instead of outright rejection, Karnataka must balance local livelihood apprehensions with its ecological responsibility by producing a scientifically rigorous, ground-truthed alternative map to protect this critical biodiversity hotspot.

Why it's in the news

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution opposing the implementation of the Kasturirangan Committee Report on Western Ghats conservation, citing outdated satellite data and potential adverse impacts on local livelihoods.

Facts to remember

The '20% rule' places an entire revenue village under ESA status if at least 20% of its area is ecologically sensitive.
The Centre made a 2024 decision to allow state-by-state notification of ESAs.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests constituted the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel under Madhav Gadgil in 2011, followed by the High-Level Working Group under K. Kasturirangan in 2012.

Background and context

The Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. To protect this fragile ecosystem, the Ministry of Environment and Forests constituted the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) under Madhav Gadgil in 2011, which recommended designating the entire region as ecologically sensitive. Due to strong resistance from states citing developmental hurdles, the High-Level Working Group under K. Kasturirangan was formed in 2012. The Kasturirangan Report took a more pro-development stance, recommending that only 37% of the Western Ghats (approx. 60,000 sq. km) be declared as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs), banning highly polluting activities like mining and quarrying while allowing other economic activities. Despite this compromise, states, particularly Karnataka, have continuously resisted the draft notifications, leading to prolonged delays in finalising the ESA framework.

Constitutional provisions

Article 48A — Directive Principles of State Policy directing the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
Article 51A(g) — Fundamental Duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
Seventh Schedule (List III - Concurrent List) — Entry 17A (Forests) and Entry 17B (Protection of wild animals and birds) give joint jurisdiction to both Centre and States.

Committees and reports

Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) / Gadgil Committee — Recommended designating the entire Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive, divided into three zones of sensitivity, with a bottom-up governance approach.
High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats / Kasturirangan Committee — Recommended a compromise formula designating 37% of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs), banning red-category industries, mining, and major thermal power plants.

Government schemes

National Mission for a Green India (GIM) — One of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), aimed at protecting, restoring, and enhancing India's forest cover.

International organisations

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) — Designated the Western Ghats as a World Heritage Site in 2012, recognizing its global significance for biodiversity conservation.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

Prelims GS-1 2016 — 'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to (a) constitutional reforms (b) Ganga Action Plan (c) linking of rivers (d) protection of Western Ghats

Mains practice: The conflict between ecological conservation and developmental aspirations is vividly reflected in the implementation of the Kasturirangan Committee report. Analyze the challenges faced by states in implementing the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) framework in the Western Ghats.

The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a vital climate regulator for India, faces severe ecological degradation. The K. Kasturirangan Committee (2013) recommended designating 37% of the region as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) to balance conservation and development. However, states like Karnataka have continuously resisted its implementation, highlighting the deep-seated friction between ecological preservation and local socio-economic aspirations.

**Challenges in Implementing the ESA Framework:**

• **Livelihood and Displacement Fears:** Local communities and farmers fear that ESA guidelines will restrict agricultural practices, land use, and infrastructure development, leading to economic stagnation and potential displacement.

• **Methodological Flaws in Mapping:** States have contested the reliance on 2012 remote-sensing data. The '20% rule'—where an entire revenue village is declared an ESA if 20% of its area is ecologically sensitive—brings human settlements and farmlands unnecessarily under stringent regulations.

• **Economic and Revenue Loss:** Banning activities like mining, quarrying, and sand mining directly impacts state revenues and local employment, creating political resistance supported by local business interests.

• **Asymmetric Cost-Benefit Sharing:** While the ecological benefits of conserving the Ghats (such as carbon sequestration and water security) are national, the economic costs of foregone development are borne locally by individual states.

• **Lack of Ground-Truthing:** The top-down approach of designating ESAs without extensive local consultation and ground-truthing has led to a trust deficit between the government and local populations.

**Conclusion:**

To resolve this deadlock, states must move away from outright rejection towards constructive engagement. Conducting rigorous, participatory ground-truthing to update outdated satellite data, offering green incentives to affected farmers, and adopting sustainable development models are essential to secure both the livelihoods of local communities and the ecological integrity of the Western Ghats.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. With reference to the conservation of the Western Ghats, consider the following statements: 1. The Madhav Gadgil Panel recommended designating the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). 2. The Kasturirangan Committee recommended classifying 37% of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive. 3. The Western Ghats span across five Indian states. Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Answer: A. Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Western Ghats span across six states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Q2. In the context of the Kasturirangan Committee recommendations on the Western Ghats, which of the following activities are proposed to be completely banned in Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs)? 1. Mining, quarrying, and sand mining 2. New thermal power plants 3. Highly polluting 'Red Category' industries Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Answer: D. The Kasturirangan Committee recommended a complete ban on mining, quarrying, sand mining, new thermal power plants, and highly polluting 'Red Category' industries within the designated Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs).

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the geographical extent of the proposed Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in the Western Ghats: 1. Karnataka holds the largest share by area of the proposed ESAs in the Western Ghats. 2. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has allowed the notification of ESAs on a state-by-state basis. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C. According to the news article, Karnataka holds the largest share (by area) of the proposed ESAs. Furthermore, the Centre in 2024 decided to allow ESAs in the region to be notified State by State, making both statements correct.

Revision flashcards

What is the primary difference between the Gadgil Committee and Kasturirangan Committee reports on the Western Ghats? The Gadgil Committee (WGEEP) recommended designating the entire Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive (divided into three zones), prioritizing conservation. The Kasturirangan Committee (HLWG) took a pro-development compromise, recommending only 37% of the area be declared as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs).
Why does Karnataka oppose the '20% rule' recommended in the Kasturirangan Report? The rule states that if at least 20% of a revenue village's area is ecologically sensitive, the entire village is classified as an ESA. Karnataka fears this will unnecessarily bring agricultural lands and human settlements under strict environmental regulations.
Which six Indian states contain parts of the Western Ghats? Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
What is 'ground-truthing' in the context of environmental mapping? The process of gathering direct, on-site physical data to verify, correct, and validate ecological features identified through remote-sensing or satellite imagery.
What major ecological functions do the Western Ghats perform for the Indian subcontinent? They act as a key barrier to the southwest monsoon winds, driving rainfall across India; serve as the origin for major peninsular rivers; and function as a global biodiversity hotspot and carbon sink.