Not special session, special discussion on Kasturirangan report, drought: Karnataka government

The Karnataka government on Monday acknowledged that describing the three-day sitting of the legislature as a "special session" was incorrect, and said it should instead be treated as a "special discussion" as part of the Monsoon session.

Government clarifies status of legislature sitting

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byre Gowda made the clarification in the Assembly, accepting the objection raised by the Opposition over the wording and procedural framing of the sitting.

He said the House had not been convened as a separate special session, but as a continued sitting of the ongoing Monsoon session.

The clarification came amid a heated exchange over the Kasturirangan report and its implications for farmers and residents in the Western Ghats.

The government said the discussion was meant to address public concerns and allow members to debate the issue in full.

Kasturirangan report at centre of debate

The Monsoon session was adjourned sine die on August 24, ahead of the originally scheduled August 27 conclusion, after disruptions by the BJP.

The ruling side said Monday's sitting was intended to take up pending public issues, not to create a new session.

Gowda said the government accepted the Opposition's objection and would treat the proceedings as a special discussion. He added that the state's position on the Kasturirangan report would be taken after hearing all members and stakeholders.

The seventh draft declaring large swathes in the Western Ghats as an eco-sensitive area, based on the Kasturirangan report, was issued by the Union government on July 27, 2026, allowing 60 days to file objections.

The state has repeatedly rejected the Centre's draft notifications. The seventh draft notification proposes to declare 56,000 sq km of area across six states as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA).

Western Ghats, drought issues before House

In Karnataka, 20,668 sq km of area, covering 33 taluks and 1,449 villages across 10 districts (Belagavi, Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Hassan, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi), falls under the ESA scope. This will adversely affect farmers' livelihoods and future development.

The session is also important as many parts of the state are reeling under drought. So far, 124 taluks in Karnataka have been declared drought-hit and assessment is continuing in other areas.