Inteeded parties say that unregulated commercial activities in Western Ghats contribute to deforestation, water exhaustion, pollution and loss of habitat for countless species. | Photo Credit: File Photos
Will the tightening standards help to buy agricultural land while maintaining western ghats? This is a question that raises in Karnataka after the change in Uttarakhand’s ground law with strict provisions concerning the purchase and sale of agricultural/gardening and residential land by non -residents in 11 hilly districts.
The inhabitants of the districts in Western Ghats and environmentalists demanded that the Karnataka government also bring similar legislation on the sale of land in the region.
Letter cm
Sahadev SH, an environmentalist of Chikkamagalur, wrote to the chief Minister Siddarahaiaha and the forest of the Eshwar Khandre: “More and more observed that individuals and entities from the external Karnataka gain land in western ghats only for commercial purposes such as construction. Unregulated commercial activity contributes to deforestation, water exhaustion, pollution and loss of habitat for countless species.
“Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Place, are not only a treasure of biodiversity, but also a critical source of water and climate stabilizer. It is essential that we take strong legal measures to maintain this natural heritage for future generations for future generations.
TV Ramacandra from the Indian Scientific Institute agreed and said, “It is implementable and we have to do it as soon as possible. We hope our creators will understand the need to maintain ecologically fragile regions to maintain water and other natural resources, and more importantly to maintain local people.”
Others, however, claim that this may not be an easy process. Ushadri KS, Faculty, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, Bengalur, said that while the sentiment is understandable, the ban on land purchase will not solve the problem and will be intertwined by challenges.
“First of all, as one proves, is not a non -resident, or how a person can do a problem when a resident came out of a state or country and earned money for investment in land purchase and transformed it into non -agricultural or unpleasant purposes?
The Government of Karnataka pushed back to the ecological sensitivity area identified by Madhavi by Gadgil’s report and received another committee of late K. Kasturirangana, who reduced Gadgil’s recommendations, yet this report was not made. The main reason for return and delay is the conflict between nature and development, he said.
“Regardless of developmental aspirations, it is the fact that one cannot exist without nature. In this broader context, the change in land use is a problem in Western Ghats, which is home to incredible variety of life form, many of which are limited to small hills.
He offered an example, saying that GN Ashokavardhana, a publisher of the books of Athree, Mangalur, showed one way to rule. He joined his hand with the late Krishne Mohan Prabbu, a surgeon and an ecologist, and bought a ground consignment that adjoined the shrine of Wildlife Pushpagiri. Over the past two decades, this forest has recovered and created a lead for a wildlife movement. The country has been set aside for the resort and now wild game is preserved as a private forest.
“I would like to give another example that can prepare a journey in Ghats. Purushotam Adve, a renowned artist, head of the local community at the foot of Kudremukha, so that he does not sell his ancestors and move away and move.
Unconventional solution
It is necessary to open our mind to unconventional solutions to find medium soil to protect ecologically sensitive areas as well as navigation in development apius, Mr. Ushadri said, adding that the landscape scale could explore ways to offer forests protection by recognizing areas such as protection.
“Many of the forested areas announced because state forests could be upgraded and connected to the existing protected areas if the rights of local communities, if possible.
Published – May 5, 2025 20:52
