Forest Minister B Ramanath Rai told Express, “I came to know from the media that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has issued a notification on protection of Western Ghats based on the detailed report submitted by Dr Kasturirangan. I am yet to go through the notification and its impact on ongoing or proposed projects in Western Ghats.”

Principal chief conservator of Forests (Wildlife) G S Prabhu hailed the notification as a landmark decision which would help in the protection and conservation of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. He said the notification may not affect the ongoing projects but it would not allow fresh projects in the ecologically sensitive area. In fact, the Western Ghats has been the main source of water for many rivers. The Forest Department was waiting for such a decision so that man-made activities could be curbed in Western Ghats. “The notification has clearly banned mining, quarrying and sand mining and permission cannot be given for opening resorts in the ecologically sensitive area. No genetically modified crops are allowed. It is really a good decision,” he added.

He said the notification would now cap the proposal for the revival of the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited which had stopped mining following directions from the Apex Court. The company had caused large scale damage to forests and wildlife. However, it was not clear about the controversial Gundia hydroelectric project which had been opposed by the greens contending that it would affect flora and fauna of Western Ghats.

The Kasturirangan Report had asked the State government to re-look into the project initiated by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited in Hassan and Dakshina Kannada districts.