Karnataka legislators to oppose Centre's draft notification on Western Ghats
Bengaluru (PTI): Legislators from Malnad region will meet under the leadership of Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on July 18, during which they are likely to adopt a resolution opposing the Centre re-issuing a draft notification on Western Ghats eco-sensitive area.
Several public representatives from the Western Ghats area are of the opinion that the Centre's move is detrimental to people living there.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) had recently re-issued the draft notification of the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in Western Ghats, of which 20,668 sq. km. is in Karnataka.
With the lapsing of the earlier notifications, the MoEF&CC has reissued the same.
Karnataka Forest Minister Umesh Katti too has recently said he will hold a meeting with the department officials, legislators and stakeholders from the region to decide on the next course of action.
"In case if this notification gets implemented, it will lead to gloominess to the lives of people living in the Malnad region, developmental works will get affected and it will cause severe economic distress," Jnanendra was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.
He noted that the Karnataka government has already rejected the Kasturirangan committee report and has repeatedly made its stand clear.
"It is the strong opinion of the legislators from the region that there should be no change in that stand taken by the state, and a resolution will be adopted by legislators at the Monday meeting opposing the draft notification," the minister said.
The Kasturirangan report of 2013 had also recommended 20,668 sq km of ESA in Karnataka. The Centre has notified a total 46,832 sq km spread across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
The draft notification has been rejected multiple times by the states concerned, including Karnataka.
Declaring Western Ghats as ESA would regulate certain human activities including mining and constructions among others, that many say pose a threat to fragile ecosystems.
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Modi eager to reclaim PM post instead of paving way for next generation: Uddhav
Thane (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for repeatedly targeting him and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and claimed that he is eager to reclaim the PM's post instead of paving the way for the next generation.
Addressing an election rally in Thane to canvass for incumbent MP and his party candidate Rajan Vichare on Thursday, Thackeray called the contest a clash between loyalty and betrayal.
The Shiv Sena, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has nominated Naresh Mhaske for the Thane Lok Sabha constituency, which along with 12 other seats, including six in Mumbai, will vote in the fifth phase on May 20.
The contest in Thane is a prestige battle for Shinde, an influential leader from the region who split the original Shiv Sena in 2022 and aligned with the BJP.
However, Thackeray mainly focussed on Modi and his policies. He accused Modi of stirring controversies through his rhetoric and claimed that the BJP is shifting its narratives, from pledges of securing a majority to allegations of dynasty politics.
