Environmentalists Urge Immediate Action on Kasturirangan Report

At a meeting chaired by Forest and Ecology Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday, several representatives voiced concerns about full implementation of the Kasturirangan report, noting that 16,114 sq. km of Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESA) already exist in the state. (The Kasturirangan Committee report identifies 20,668 sq. km of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) in the state.) They argued that expanding this further would impact the people living near forested regions, suggesting instead that the buffer zone be reduced to zero to avoid additional disruption.

The need to protect and rejuvenate the Western Ghats for sustainable development has long been recognized. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) constituted the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), led by Madhav Gadgil. The panel's report, submitted in August 2011, proposed comprehensive conservation measures but was shelved amid claims by political leaders that it was anti-development and harmful to local populations.

In response, the MoEF established a High-Level Working Group (HLWG) led by Dr K Kasturirangan to formulate a more balanced approach to sustainable development while preserving the Western Ghats' fragile ecosystems. However, this report too has faced resistance from several quarters, leaving it unenforced.

Environmentalists argue that without urgent action, disasters such as landslides are inevitable.

They continue to push for the preservation of one of India’s most vital ecosystems, warning that any further delays could result in irreversible damage.

“Many of those opposing the Kasturirangan Report are not fully aware of its contents. There is a misconception that people will be forced out of their homes, but the report does not mandate evacuation. It simply restricts harmful industries, mining, and activities that degrade the Western Ghats,” Shashidhar Shetty, state secretary of the National Environment Care Federation (NECF) told Deccan Chronicle.

“The government must enforce the report without delay,” he demanded.

Dinesh Holla, environmentalist and convener of Sahyadri Sanchaya, emphasized the need for strict measures to protect the Western Ghats.

“If the WGEEP report had been implemented, many landslides and accidents could have been prevented. The delay in enforcing the WGEEP report or Kasturirangan Report has cost us dearly, with multiple landslides occurring in recent years. The government must act now to prevent further disasters. We strongly believe that the Gadgil report or Kasturirangan report must be implemented at the earliest,” he said.

Holla also suggested that if there are concerns about the reports and the governments just postpone implementing them, the central and state governments can engage in discussion and consider forming a new expert committee to reassess the situation in light of recent landslides and other environmental challenges.

“There must be a clear guideline for protecting the Western Ghats and it should be implemented at the earliest,” he added.