Mysore/Mysuru: 

Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust had organised the release of ‘Soul to the World: An Anthology of Poems’ by Dubai-based poet Kirthana Uthappa Jaisimha, at a private hotel yesterday. The book explores themes of inner peace, emotional growth and spiritual evolution. The poems celebrate nature, humanity and wildlife, while emphasising the importance of embracing emotions.

The book was released by Maneyapanda Mothi Uthappa. The first copies were received by Trust Chairperson Shubha Sanjay Urs, Trustee Kitty Mandana and Sumy Uthappa. The book is dedicated to the poet’s mother on her 70th birthday.

Kirthana’s poetry draws from her experiences as a mother, wife and individual. A self-described dreamer and believer, she values time, purpose and meaningful relationships, and hopes her words inspire readers to pause, reflect and remember.

Trust Member Shanthala compered the programme, while Prof. Krishna Manavalli was in conversation with the poet. Granddaughters Tiara Muddappa and Saanvi Jaisimha introduced their grandparents.

Vidya Arun, S. Prithvi, Hita and Pamela Sanath welcomed the gathering and proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 29th, 2026

Several parents, students and residents of villages across Kodagu participating in a protest against closure of government schools under the KPS Magnet scheme at Kushalnagar, in Kodagu district on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Several parents, students and villagers from across Kodagu district participated in a protest against closure of government schools under the KPS Magnet scheme at Mahila Samaja Bhavan in Kushalnagar on Sunday. The protest was organised by All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) and Save Public Education Committee to oppose the reported closure of 235 government schools in Kodagu district under the KPS Magnet scheme.

Addressing the gathering, AIDSO’s state treasurer Subhash Bettadakoppa claimed that the Government was closing 235 schools under the pretext of merging them into just five selected Magnet schools situated in Kushalnagar, Kudige, Shirangala, Gonikoppal and Kutta.

“Kodagu is a hilly region with no bus facilities for many villages. During the four months of heavy monsoon, it is impossible for small children of Class 1 and 2 to walk 5-6 kilometers. If this scheme is implemented, children of coffee estate workers and adivasis living on the forest fringes, and children of poor farmers will be deprived of education,” he said.

AIDSO’s State vice president Abhaya Diwakar, who also addressed the gathering, alleged that the previous BJP Government attempted to close 13,800 government schools in the name of ‘merging’. “However, back then, we saved those schools through state-wide struggles,” he said. 

Now, the current Congress government is proposing to shut 40,000 schools under the KPS Magnet Scheme. “The ultimate goal of all governments seems to be closing public schools and snatching education away from poor students,” he said.

Questioning the government’s financial priorities, Mr. Diwakar alleged that the government is opening KPS Magnet schools by taking a loan of ₹2,500 crore from the Asian Development Bank. “Has the government reached such a dire state that it must borrow from private and international banks to run government schools? Is the tax we pay not enough?” he said.

He also added that the KPS Magnet scheme violates the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which mandates a primary school within every kilometer, and alleged that the Magnet scheme is a ploy to privatise schools through outsourcing.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bettadakoppa also pointed out that 62,000 posts of teachers are currently vacant in the state while over 7,000 schools are run by single teachers and 23,000 school buildings need urgent repairs. “Instead of providing basic infrastructure, the government is letting schools languish and closing them through the back door,” he alleged.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / March 29th, 2026

Being a serious and challenging issue, mitigation efforts have been stepped up amidst higher number of deaths reported due to the conflict in the district.

Virajpet MLA A. S. Ponnanna addressing press persons in Madikeri on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Human–wildlife conflict has emerged as a serious concern in Kodagu district, accounting for a significant share of fatalities in the State, prompting urgent intervention measures and calls for increased Central assistance.

A.S. Ponnanna, Legal Advisor to the Chief Minister and Virajpet MLA, on Saturday said the issue continues to pose a serious challenge, with the State government stepping up mitigation efforts while urging the Centre for greater financial support.

Addressing a press conference in Madikeri, Mr. Ponnanna said multiple steps are underway to curb wildlife incursions, including the construction of elephant trenches, installation of solar-powered fencing, and rail barricades. However, several works remain incomplete, underscoring the need for sustained intervention.

He emphasised that addressing human–wildlife conflict requires coordinated efforts between the State and the Centre, and called for enhanced funding to tackle the problem effectively.

It may be recalled here that Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre, during a meeting with Kodagu legislators in Bengaluru, expressed concern over the rising loss of human lives due to wildlife conflict and directed officials to complete the repair and maintenance of 422 km of elephant trenches and 544 km of hanging solar fences within one month. Mr. Ponnanna and Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda were present.

According to Mr. Khandre, Kodagu alone accounts for 38% of deaths caused by human–wildlife conflict in the State. He has instructed authorities to intensify patrolling, strengthen the elephant task force, and rapid response teams and other mitigation units to handle the situation.

In addition, officials have been directed to compile data on plantation workers across zones and establish alert systems using WhatsApp and public address systems mounted on vehicles to warn residents when elephants or other wildlife approach human settlements or plantation areas.

Kodagu development

At the press conference, Mr. Ponnanna also highlighted that the Siddaramaiah-led government has prioritised Kodagu’s development over the past three years. The long-pending demand for a Tribal Development Corporation has been fulfilled through a budget announcement, along with the decision to establish a Kodava Development Corporation, he informed.

The MLA said a sports training centre will be set up on 11 acres in V. Badaga village to encourage youth participation in Olympic disciplines, and that steps have been initiated to upgrade two hospitals in the district.

District President of the Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee Dharmaja Uthappa, Sports Authority Vice-President Arun Machaiah, former MLC Veena Achaiah, and others were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / March 21st, 2026

US-based UX designer creates early-learning books rooted in a picturesque part of Karnataka.

The children’s books designed by Tej Kalianda feature everyday sights from Kodagu. Credit: DH Photo

UX designer Tej Kalianda’s children were the first reason she began thinking about early-learning books differently.

Based in San Francisco, USA, and originally from Kodagu, Tej created the board books ‘The ABCs in Avaya’s Kitchen’ and ‘123 Coorg Critters’ for children aged 0 to 3.

They teach alphabets and numbers “through the everyday sights, sounds and rhythms of Kodava life” rather than by focusing on festivals or folklore. “It captures everything from meals and homes to farms, coffee estates, rain and wildlife,” she says.

After observing what held her children’s attention the longest, Tej realised strong visual identity, rich colours and read-aloud-friendly text kept young readers coming back to the book.

She also noticed a growing global trend of alphabet books rooted in place. “I came across books about Hawaiian animals and life in Nigeria. That made me think, why not create something that reflects life in Kodagu, especially for my own children?” says the 39-year-old mother of two.

The alphabet book came first, shaped by words her children heard at home but rarely saw represented in mainstream books, such as ‘avaya’, ‘bembale’, ‘elle unde’, among others. Tej wanted her kids to recognise everyday Kodava vocabulary without translating it into something it isn’t.

“Take kadambut, for example. You can explain it as a rice ball in English, but that’s not the word we use at home. Kadambut is kadambut,” she says.

While working on the alphabet book, she also had ideas that didn’t fit the format. That led to the creation of the number book, which captures Kodagu’s landscape and wildlife through counting.

“Most mainstream children’s books talk about animals like pandas, polar bears, or koalas… But when they visit Kodagu, they see deer, elephants, and even leeches,” she says, adding that learning becomes more alive when it mirrors real life experience.

Tej says her aim wasn’t to make something “purely Indian”. “The books aren’t trying to teach culture explicitly. Instead, they aim to make learning feel familiar,” she says.

The idea took shape in early 2025, and despite a demanding job and parenting responsibilities, Tej time-boxed the process. “I set aside 30 minutes a day, Monday to Friday,” she says. Over about 60 days, she shaped the concept and visual language, working with illustrators David Yambem and Verove Pinto. The books were released in September 2025.

For details, visit peppervinepress.com or write to connect@brandworx.digital

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Specials / by DHNS / March 21st, 2026

Strengthen anti-elephant conflict measures, Mr. Khandre tells officials; a one-month deadline has been given to repair elephant trenches in the coffee land.

Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre | Photo Credit: File Photo

Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has instructed officials to ensure the proper maintenance of elephant trenches and solar-powered fencing installed to control human–elephant conflict in Kodagu district.

Expressing concern over the loss of human lives due to wildlife conflicts in Kodagu, the Minister directed that the repair and maintenance of the existing 422 km of elephant trenches and 544 km of hanging solar fences be completed within one month.

Mr. Khandre was speaking at a meeting held recently in Bengaluru with Kodagu MLAs — A.S. Ponnanna and Mantar Gowda — and Darshan Dhruvanarayan, Nanjangud MLA, and senior forest officials.

He noted that 38% of deaths due to human–wildlife conflict in the State are reported from Kodagu district and instructed officials to increase patrolling. The Minister also directed that the elephant task force, rapid response teams, and other human–wildlife conflict mitigation units be strengthened.

Four vehicles have already been purchased in addition to the existing six to enable staff to respond quickly when elephants and other wildlife enter plantations, he said.

He added that instructions have been issued to procure four more vehicles and to engage enthusiastic local youth on an outsourced basis to join the task force and enhance field-level operations.

Mr. Khandre also directed officials to take the necessary steps to operationalise a robust wireless network to transmit information on wildlife movement and to prevent illegal tree felling and wildlife poaching.

The Minister instructed that data be collected on the number of workers employed in plantations across each zone in Kodagu district. Steps should be taken to immediately alert these workers through WhatsApp and via vehicles fitted with public address systems whenever wildlife, especially elephants, approach human settlements or plantation areas.

With an intense summer expected from the last week of March to May, Mr. Khandre directed officials to ensure that there is no shortage of water and fodder for wildlife in forests. He also asked them to share information with the public and local representatives regarding water levels in forest water bodies.

The Minister advised forest officials to maintain cordial relations with local communities, stating that better cooperation from people would help in resolving issues effectively.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Meenakshi Negi, Chief Wildlife Warden Kumar Pushkar, and senior forest officials, including Manoj Rajan, Manoj Kumar, and Sonal Vrisni, were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / March 20th, 2026

The 71-villa resort near Bengaluru and Mangaluru opens this year.

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts acquired a 76-acre resort in Coorg, Karnataka, entering nature- and wellness-focused hospitality./  Photo credit: The Leela Palaces

• Leela enters nature and wellness hospitality with Coorg resort.
• Leela portfolio grows to 15 hotels and 4,160+ keys.
• The 71-villa property near Bengaluru and Mangaluru opens this year.

THE LEELA PALACES, Hotels and Resorts acquired a resort in Karnataka, India, marking its entry into nature and wellness-focused hospitality. The 71-villa property in Coorg near Madikeri spans 76 acres amid coffee and spice plantations and will open later this year as The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary.

It introduces The Leela’s first “Sanctuary” concept and coincides with the brand’s 40th anniversary, expanding its presence in South India’s leisure destinations, Leela said in a statement. The property in the Western Ghats is near Bengaluru and Mangaluru. Coorg attracts visitors for its coffee estates, landscapes, cultural heritage and environment.

“As we celebrate 40 years of The Leela, this acquisition represents both a milestone and an evolution of the brand into nature-immersive, wellness-focused hospitality,” said Anuraag Bhatnagar, The Leela’s CEO. “We invest in destinations with cultural and ecological value and Coorg strengthens our presence in South India while advancing our strategy of building a balanced portfolio across India’s most iconic landscapes. The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary offers a rare synthesis of wilderness, wellness and the warmth of true Indian luxury for travelers who seek space, stillness and a genuine connection to nature.”

The IGBC Platinum-certified resort is designed to integrate with its surroundings, combining architecture with local craftsmanship. The property includes land for future expansion, with the first phase adding 19 villas to reach 90 keys. The resort will have four dining venues with global and regional cuisines and coffee experiences. A 27,000 square feet wellness center will include Ayurvedic treatments, modern recovery practices and Aujasya by The Leela, the brand’s wellness program.

A seven-acre lake will be the property’s central feature and a private helipad will provide access. The resort will include a four-bedroom presidential villa with a pool and wellness facilities.

With this addition, The Leela portfolio has 15 properties with over 4,160 keys across 13 cities. The brand has nine hotels in the pipeline and aims for 24 properties in the next three years, including Agra, Ayodhya, Bandhavgarh, Mumbai, Ranthambore, Sikkim, Srinagar and Jaisalmer.

Leela incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary to own, operate, manage and develop hotels and resorts under “The Leela” brand. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued the Certificate of Incorporation for Leela Imperial Suites Private Ltd on Jan. 5.

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts was founded in 1986 by Capt. C. P. Krishnan Nair with the launch of The Leela Mumbai, according to its website. Toronto-based Brookfiled Corp., principal sponsor of Bengaluru-based Schloss Bangalore, acquired Leela in 2019. The company went public in May.

source: http://www.asianhospitality.com / Asian Hospitality / Home> India News / by Vishnu Rageev R / March 18th, 2026

The Minister notes that 38% of deaths caused by human-wildlife conflict in the State occur in Kodagu district and directs officials to increase patrolling.

Eshwar Khandre | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday instructed forest department officials to ensure proper maintenance of elephant trenches and hanging solar fences installed in Kodagu district to mitigate human-elephant conflict.

Mr. Khandre, who met with MLAs A.S. Ponnanna, Manthar Gowda, and Darshan Dhruvanarayan, instructed officials to complete the repair work of the existing 422 km of elephant trenches and 544 km of hanging solar fences within one month.

He said that 38% of deaths caused by human-wildlife conflict in the State occur in Kodagu district and directed officials to increase patrolling.

He also instructed strengthening of the elephant task force and rapid response teams.

Mr. Khandre added that in order to enable staff to respond quickly when elephants and other wildlife enter coffee plantations and to drive them back into forests, four vehicles have already been purchased in addition to the existing six.

The Minister directed that four more vehicles be procured and that local youth be hired on a contract basis to strengthen the task force and improve efficiency.

He also directed senior officials to take all necessary steps to establish a strong wireless network for sharing information on wildlife movement and to curb illegal tree felling and wildlife poaching.

Officials were also instructed to collect data on the number of workers in plantations across each zone in Kodagu district.

“When wildlife, especially elephants, approach human settlements or plantations, immediate alerts should be sent to workers via WhatsApp and through vehicles equipped with loudspeakers,” he said.

Mr. Khandre also directed officials to ensure that wildlife in forests do not face shortages of water and fodder.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / March 18th, 2026

The campaign covered several major pilgrimage centres and tourist locations, including Talacauvery, Omkareshwara Temple, and Bhagamandala.

Volunteers participating in a cleanliness drive near Harangi reservoir in Kodagu district on Monday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A cleanliness drive under the ‘Clean Kodagu-Beautiful Kodagu’ campaign was held across the district on Monday, covering its tourist destinations and pilgrimage centres, besides district and taluk headquarters.

The drive jointly organised by the Kodagu district administration, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat, Forest and Tourist Departments and tourism stakeholders was inaugurated at Raja Seat in Madikeri by City Municipal Council (CMC) president P. Kalavathi.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Kalavathi said that half-litre and one-litre bottled water has been banned in Madikeri city, which has helped curb plastic usage to a large extent. She stressed that efforts should continue in the same direction and that plastic usage must be gradually reduced.

The campaign covered several major pilgrimage centres and tourist locations, including Talacauvery, Omkareshwara Temple, Bhagamandala, and tourist spots such as Abbey Falls, Nalknad Palace, Raja’s Seat, Raja’s Tombs, Madikeri Fort, and Chelavara Falls in Madikeri taluk.

In Kushalnagar taluk, the drive covered Dubare River Rafting centre, Cauvery Nisargadhama, Harangi Reservoir, Harangi Garden, the Elephant Camp, backwater adventure sports areas, and Chiklihole reservoir. In Somwarpet taluk, the campaign was conducted at Honnamana Kere, Makkalagudi Hill, Kotebetta, Surlaabi Falls, and Mallalli Falls.

Similarly, in Ponnampet taluk, cleanliness activities were carried out at Barapole River Rafting centre and Iruppu Falls.

In Madikeri town, the drive covered stretches of about two km along Virajpet Road, Bhagamandala-Talacauvery Road (Mangaluru Road), Madikeri-Siddapur Road, and Madikeri-Mysuru Road.

In Kushalnagar, the campaign was conducted from Koppa Gate to the KSRTC bus stand; from Someshwara Temple via Konamaramma Temple Circle to IB Road and the KSRTC bus stand; from Tavarekere to the KSRTC bus stand; and from Ayyappa Swamy Temple to the KSRTC bus stand, said a statement here.

As part of the campaign, around 50 volunteers, with the cooperation of Cauvery Nisargadhama NTC, Coorg River Resort and forest officials, carried out cleaning activities along both sides of the road from Cauvery Nisargadhama towards Guddehosur.

In view of the large heaps of garbage found along the roadside, the stakeholders suggested that if the respective gram panchayats install garbage bins at designated locations, the problem could be addressed to some extent.

They pointed out that steps should be taken to install bins at designated locations to address waste management, as tourism in Kodagu was expected to attract more visitors in the coming days, which could in turn lead to an increase in waste generation.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / March 17th, 2026

Skewed sex ratio: Of 78 elephants in 8 camps, 64 are males, 9 are females, 5 are female calves

Mysore/Mysuru: 

Elephant camps in Kodagu and Chamarajanagar districts that supply elephants for the Mysuru Dasara festival are facing a noticeable shortage of female elephants.

According to data available with the Forest Department, of the 78 elephants housed across eight camps, 64 are males. There are only nine females, pointing to a significant gender imbalance. There are five female calves in two elephant camps.

Data with Star of Mysore shows that several camps have very few or no female elephants, raising concerns about breeding and the long-term sustainability of the captive herd.

At the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu, the largest camp in the region, 30 elephants are housed, 25 males, two females and three calves, reflecting one of the sharpest imbalances. Similarly, the Harangi Elephant Camp near Kushalnagar has six elephants, all of them males, with no females or calves. At the Mathigodu Elephant Camp on the Mysuru-Kodagu border, there are 16 elephants, including 12 males, two females and two calves.

At the Bheemanakatte Elephant Camp near Periyapatna, both the elephants housed there are males. In the Nagarahole region, the Doddaharave Elephant Camp has one female elephant, while the Balle Elephant Camp has two elephants, one male and one female.

The Ramapura Elephant Camp, also known as Ainooru Maarigudi Camp near Bandipur Tiger Reserve, houses 20 elephants, including 17 males and three females. At the K. Gudi Elephant Camp near Biligiri Ranganatha Tiger Reserve, there is only one elephant and it is a male.

Skewed ratio, musth condition

With only nine female elephants across all camps, the male-female ratio is heavily skewed. The problem becomes more serious when male elephants enter musth.

Currently, four of the six elephants at Harangi Elephant Camp are in musth. At Dubare, three elephants are in musth, while one tusker at Bheemanakatte is also undergoing the phase.

Elephants in musth experience a surge in testosterone, leading to heightened aggression and a strong urge to mate. The shortage of female elephants during this period can lead to conflicts between bulls for dominance and cause them to behave unpredictably.

Mahouts say controlling elephants in musth is extremely challenging. During this phase, the animals often injure themselves by rubbing against large tree trunks or driving their tusks into them. To prevent accidents, elephants in musth are usually chained and kept isolated. Even other elephants instinctively avoid them. “No one dares to go near a musth elephant. They also refuse to eat and lose weight rapidly,” said J.K. Dhobi, an experienced caretaker who has worked with elephants for more than 50 years.

Calming effect

“Female elephants act as a calming influence on males and are not meant only for mating. That is why the Dasara Howdah elephant is always accompanied by two female elephants on either side during the Vijayadashami procession so that it remains calm. Earlier, the ratio between male and female elephants would be equal at all elephant camps. Now that is not the case,” Dhobi explained.

Wildlife activist Joseph Hoover said that the 64:9 male-to-female ratio is worrying. “Tourists should not be allowed inside elephant camps when male elephants become unpredictable due to the absence of females. The Forest Department must take steps to address the issue,” he said.

Two females to be shifted: DCF

Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Madikeri Division, Abhishek said, steps are being taken to manage the situation.

“We release elephants in musth into the forest in a controlled and monitored manner so that they can mate with wild females. A proposal to shift two female elephants from Ramapura Elephant Camp has been approved. One female will be immediately moved to Harangi Elephant Camp, while the other will be shifted either to Dubare or Mathigodu,” he said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 15th, 2026

The Minister said the mandate for production, development, research and domestic marketing of spices other than cardamom is vested with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada / Credit: X/@JitinPrasada

New Delhi:

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada on Tuesday said that black pepper production in Kodagu may increase by about 16 per cent in 2025-26 compared to 2024-25.

Replying Yaduveer Wadiyar question, the Minister said the mandate for production, development, research and domestic marketing of spices other than cardamom is vested with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare. The Ministry informed that it has conducted a quick pre-harvest survey in Kodagu district which indicates that black pepper production in Kodagu may increase by about 16 per cent in 2025-26 compared to 2024-25, he said.

Spices Board under the “Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED)” scheme provides assistance to the growers of spices, including pepper growers of Kodagu district for post-harvest improvement by providing pepper thresher, graders /cleaners etc, conducting capacity building programmes and undertaking market linkage initiatives organizes buyer seller meets, he said.

He further said at present the import policy for pepper is ‘Prohibited, with a provision permitting import only if the Cost Insurance & Freight (CIF) value is Rs. 500. per kg or above. The said MIP of Rs. 500/kg continues to remain in force and is not applicable to imports under Advance Authorization Scheme for export production, imports by 100% Export Oriented Units (EOU) and units in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and imports for extraction of oleoresin for re-export by manufacturer-exporters, subject to applicable policy conditions, he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka / by
Ajith Athrady / March 11th, 2026