Shivamogga: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is scheduled to visit Thirthahalli and Balehonnur on September 19 amid growing opposition from farmers and residents of the Malnad region to the implementation of the Kasturirangan report.
The Chief Minister is expected to interact with farmers, activists and local residents to understand their concerns over the possible implementation of the report and its implications for livelihoods and development in the ecologically sensitive Malnad region.
Farmers and local communities have staged protests and undertaken padayatras across several taluks in the region, opposing measures linked to the Kasturirangan report. Against this backdrop, Shivakumar’s proposed visit is being viewed as an important opportunity for direct dialogue with those leading the campaign.
According to sources, the Chief Minister is expected to arrive at the helipad at the Government First Grade College grounds in Thirthahalli around 10am after travelling from Mangaluru.
During his interaction with farmers and residents, he is likely to hear concerns about the potential impact of the report on farmers, forest dwellers and other communities dependent on the region’s natural resources. Environmental conservation and the implications for local livelihoods are also expected to figure in the discussions.
Shivakumar is expected to travel to Balehonnur around 1pm and land at the helipad on the premises of Sri Rambhapuri Matha. A meeting on the Kasturirangan report is likely to be held there.
The visit will also mark Shivakumar’s first trip to Thirthahalli since he became chief minister. A grand welcome and a programme are expected to be organised under the leadership of Dr R.M. Manjunath Gowda, who is considered a close associate of the chief minister.
Officials and local leaders are still working on the final itinerary. A large gathering of farmers is expected during the visit, while there is also a possibility of the chief minister visiting the Rameshwara Temple.
The proposed interactions come at a time when the Kasturirangan report has emerged as a major concern among Malnad communities, with farmers seeking clarity and safeguards over its implementation.