The Karnataka government will recommend rejection of the draft notification based on the Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats, forest minister Ramalinga Reddy told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
We wanted the assembly to discuss the issue and send a clear message to the Centre,” he added. The issue was raised during a discussion under Rule 69 by Virajpet MLA and chief minister’s political secretary AS Ponnanna, who highlighted concerns among farmers and residents of Kodagu and other Malnad districts over the latest draft notification issued by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change on July 26. “Today, the Kasturirangan report was discussed in the Assembly under Rule 69. The Union government issued a draft notification on July 26, 2026, and it has created fear among thousands of villagers in the Malnad region.
The Karnataka government’s decision to recommend rejection is expected to strengthen its stand against implementation of the report in the state.
Ponnanna said the proposed notification had created anxiety among thousands of families living in the Western Ghats and urged the government to adopt a clear stand against its implementation. Speaking to reporters , Ponnanna said the issue should have been treated as a matter concerning farmers and residents rather than being politicised.
Reacting to him minister Ramalinga Reddy said the Kasturirangan report would have implications for 39 taluks across 10 districts in Karnataka. The state has 60 days to submit its objections to the draft notification.
He said the state had earlier opposed the recommendations and would once again recommend their rejection.
