Bengaluru, Sept. 22 -- Legal Advisor to the Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress MLA AS Ponnanna on Tuesday stated that there is complete unanimity across party lines in opposing the Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats, emphasising that environmental conservation must not come at the expense of local livelihoods.

Speaking on the ongoing discussions regarding the Western Ghats, Ponnanna noted that while preserving the ecologically sensitive biodiversity hotspot is necessary, policy decisions cannot overlook ground realities.

"There is unanimity with regard to opposition to the Kasturirangan report and the consequential action that has been taken by the Central Government. Everybody agrees, and it is the need of the day a...