Mangaluru: MLC Ivan D’Souza Saturday said the Congress would completely oppose implementation of the Kasturirangan committee report in its present form and urged the state govt to convene a special session of the legislature to discuss it.D’Souza said the eco-sensitive areas (ESAs) in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi include farms, plantations and habitations, and cannot be classified as forests based solely on aerial surveys.He said chief minister DK Shivakumar had agreed to convene a special session and urged that, until then, forest officials should not evict residents or obstruct agricultural, horticultural or development activities.He said the issue was raised in the assembly through a starred question, but the house was adjourned before it could be discussed.Urging the state to pass a resolution rejecting its implementation, D’Souza noted that the proposal covers 20,668sqkm across 10 districts. He claimed 37% of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi were marked eco-sensitive, which he termed “far from the truth”, while 60% of the proposed area in Karnataka was not actually sensitive.He said decisions should consider ground realities, livelihoods, agriculture, horticulture, housing and local geography.D’Souza said residents faced restrictions on construction, rebuilding and crushers, and sought consultations with gram panchayats, farmers, residents and environmental experts.He also urged Karnataka’s Union ministers and MPs to raise the issue with the Centre, alleging different approaches towards Karnataka and other states. He also alleged that Union minister Shobha Karandlaje, who had earlier opposed the report, was now silent on the issue.Welcomes M’luru railway reorganisationOn the transfer of Mangaluru railway jurisdiction, D’Souza welcomed the decision, saying it would make railway administration more people-friendly.Responding to opposition from Kerala, he called for coordinated action by the MPs, saying, “We are ready for anything.” On the alleged silence of Congress leaders, he said minister UT Khader had already welcomed the decision and that the chief minister would have to be briefed on the matter.On the Jalasiri Mangaluru 24×7 water supply project, he said its deadline had been extended to 2027.He also criticised the BJP over its failure to raise issues on Yettinahole in Parliament or the assembly.Meanwhile, D’Souza said preparations were under way for a special cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, likely to be held in the second or third week of Sept.
