Bangalore:
Karnataka government today said a final decision would be taken in the next cabinet meeting over UNESCO's decision to include the Western Ghats in the list of World Heritage sites.
"We will take a final call on UNESCO's decision to include the Western Ghats in the list of World Heritage sites in the next cabinet meeting," Forests Minister C P Yogheshwar told reporters after holding talks with Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.
Mr Yogeshwar said there was no change in Karnataka government's stand of opposing inclusion of Western Ghats in the list of World Heritage sites.
He also said the world heritage tag to Western Ghats would lead to eviction of tribals after the Central Government had said that it would be a no-go area.
The 1600-km long Western Ghats mountain chain starts at the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra and runs through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and end at Kanyakumari.
The mountain chain is recognised as one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity. The chain's forests, which are older than the Himalaya Mountains influence the Indian monsoon weather pattern.
Two years ago, a UNESCO study team, headed by Dr Wendis and principal conservator of forests Dr Swaminathan had visited Kodagu and Chikmagalur and had to face the ire of locals in Kodagu.
Mr Yogeshwar said the government would write to the Centre intimating its stand on the issue.