Bengaluru, Aug. 28 -- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has stepped up opposition to the Centre's notification proposing eco-sensitive status for 1,449 villages in 10 Western Ghats districts, accusing the Union government of taking an "anti-people" decision without adequately considering the concerns of the state and local communities.

Parameshwara said Karnataka would continue to oppose implementation of the Kasturirangan report and that there was no change in the state government's stand. He said the government was prepared to discuss the matter in a special one-day session of the legislature.

The notification covering large parts of the Western Ghats has caused concern among residents, with the state government maintaini...