Bengaluru, 28 September

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has urged Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav to address the State’s concerns over the revision of the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) and the proposed notification of the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).

In a letter to Yadav, Shivakumar said inaccuracies in the approved CZMP, particularly in coastal regulation zone classifications, survey boundaries, settlements and fishing infrastructure, had prompted representations from fishing communities, residents and local bodies in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.

The State has sought survey-number-wise verification of maps using authenticated revenue records, satellite imagery and ground surveys. It has also sought recognition and protection for traditional fishing infrastructure, including fish landing centres, boat repair facilities, net-mending areas and fish-processing units, along with long-established settlements and community structures.

Karnataka has called for suitable provisions for traditional coastal land use and community-oriented tourism, subject to environmental safeguards. 

On the Western Ghats ESA, he reiterated concerns over the inclusion of agricultural lands, plantations, habitations and livelihood areas in the proposed zone. The State has sought physical verification, scientific ground-truthing and consideration of the High-Level Committee’s recommendations before finalising the notification. Shivakumar said he had also written to the Prime Minister on the issue.

He clarified that Karnataka was not seeking to dilute protection for mangroves, sand dunes, turtle nesting habitats and other ecologically sensitive areas.