Bengaluru, September 21: The Karnataka legislature begins a three-day special session today, running through September 23. Two issues dominate the agenda: the worsening drought and the Centre’s fresh move to declare parts of the Western Ghats an eco-sensitive area based on the Kasturirangan report.
Why a special session?
Both issues were meant to be taken up during last month’s monsoon session. That session was disrupted and cut short when the opposition protested, demanding minister B Nagendra’s resignation. The government has now called a separate sitting to give the two subjects proper time.
The Western Ghats and the Kasturirangan report
The Union government issued its seventh draft notification on July 27, 2026, proposing eco-sensitive area status for large parts of the Western Ghats. The notification gave 60 days for objections, and the Centre has reportedly asked Karnataka to state its position by September 27.
The Kasturirangan report recommended that about 56,825 sq km across six states be treated as eco-sensitive. Of this, 20,668 sq km lies in Karnataka, including parts of Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Hassan, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Belagavi. The proposal calls for a complete ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining, and on highly polluting “Red” category industries in these zones.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has reiterated the state’s opposition, warning that the rules could hurt local livelihoods and farming communities. Congress and the BJP have both opposed the report in the past, so broad agreement is expected in the House, though the two sides are likely to trade blame over the Centre’s draft.
Drought: 124 taluks affected
The drought is where sharper clashes are likely. Karnataka declared 101 taluks drought-hit on August 27, then added 23 more on September 17, taking the total to 124 for Kharif 2026. Of these, 110 are classified as severely affected and 14 as moderately affected. The declaration is valid for six months unless revoked earlier.
According to the government, rainfall was deficient in 29 districts between June 1 and August 21. A further 53 taluks across 17 districts were scheduled for crop-loss ground-truthing on September 19 and 20, so the list could still grow.
Deputy CM and Revenue Minister G Parameshwara has said relief must follow Union government norms and that a detailed drought memorandum will be submitted to the Centre.
What to watch
- Political sparring: The BJP and JD(S) accuse the government of failing to manage the crisis and of not announcing measures such as loan waivers. Congress says the Centre has not provided adequate support.
- Karnataka’s formal stand: whether the legislature adopts a clear position or resolution on the Western Ghats draft before the September 27 deadline.
- Relief announcements: whether the government unveils compensation or a farm relief package once crop-loss reports come in.
- A shared geography: Several Western Ghats districts, including parts of Kodagu, are also drought-affected, so the ecology-versus-livelihood debate and the farm crisis overlap.
Bottom line
For farmers in drought-hit taluks and communities in the Western Ghats belt, this session could shape both relief and long-term land-use rules. We will update this article as the debates and decisions unfold.
Sources: Deccan Herald, The South First, PTI, The News Mill, The Bengaluru Live.