Category Archives: About Kodagu / Coorg

Women are leading the fight

About Kodagu / Coorg, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Three top women officers are leading from the front the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in Kodagu.

Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, Superintendent of Police Suman D. Pennekar and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K. Lakshmi Priya, who were in the vanguard when Kodagu was devastated by floods and landslides last year, are once again in the frontline of the campaign titled #KodaguFightsCorona.

In fact, Ms. Pennekar was serving the district when Kodagu witnessed unprecedented floods and landslides in 2018. Srividya P.I. was the Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu during the 2018 floods.

The top officers worked as a team and used to visit the affected areas together to realise the situation and provide relief accordingly.

In the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the district administration, the district police and the zilla panchayat are again in “battle mode”.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – April 09th, 2020

‘My Coorg Chronicles’

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

CoorgChroniclesKG17mar2020

The book ‘My Coorg Chronicles’ traces the journalistic journey of P.T. Bopanna, his foray into writing books, his activism and importantly his efforts to chronicle various facets of Kodagu district in Karnataka.

Bopanna has been covering and chronicling Kodagu for nearly four decades. Besides reporting on the district’s affairs, he has brought out a number of books on this unique region, developed a string of Kodagu-centric websites and produced a documentary video on the land.

His online campaign ‘Repair Hunsur-Gonikoppal Road’ was a significant victory for the people over Government indifference.

He has written extensively to convince policy-makers on the need to retain the Arms Exemption given to the residents of Kodagu to possess firearms.

One of the most popular initiatives launched by Bopanna is the ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ title to recognise outstanding achievers and create role models for the community.

The book discusses the religious beliefs of Kodavas (Coorgs) and also spells out of a political road map for Kodagu.

The foreword for the book has been written by P.M. Belliappa, IAS (Retd). The ‘afterword’ has been written by well-known researchers Boverianda Nanjamma and Chinnappa.

The book has colourful photographs, illustrations and a caricature of Bopanna by cartoonist Ponnappa.

Published by Rolling Stone Publications, the book is priced Rs. 100 per copy.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / March 15th, 2020

Ponnampet Taluk To Be Launched In April

About Kodagu / Coorg, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All

PonnampetKF17mar2020

Gonikoppa:

A year after the previous JD(S)-Congress Coalition Government, headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy, announced the formation of 12 new taluks in the State, including Ponnampet and Kushalnagar in Kodagu district, the Ponnampet Taluk Action Committee and the Citizens Committee have jointly decided to bring Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa for the official launch of Ponnampet taluk in April.

At a meeting held at Ponnampet’s Kodava Samaja yesterday, Ponnampet Taluk Action Committee Working President Arun Machaiah said that there has been a delay in the launch of the taluk due to administrative procedures as there is a proposal to cover 21 Gram Panchayats in Ponnampet taluk.

However, it has been decided to consult the District Administration and fix a date in April for the inauguration of the new taluk by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

Pointing out that the inauguration programme would cost about Rs.4 lakh, he said that the construction of the new building and purchase of furniture should be taken up using Rs.25 lakh that the Government is going to release shortly. It is also decided that the new taluk should function from the Food and Civil Supplies Department building, he added.

The Action Committee Convenor Machimada M. Ravindra said that talks have been already held with the Deputy Commissioner regarding the inauguration programme.

Action Committee Member Padmini Ponnappa highlighted the role of former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda in the announcement of Ponnampet taluk and appealed for felicitating the two leaders during the inauguration programme.

The meeting also condoled the death of Citizens Committee Secretary M.A. Appaya, who passed away recently.

Citizens Committee President Poonachha, Vice-President Cheppudira Somaiah, Action Committee Advisor Matranda Appachhu, Ponnampet Kodava Samaja Cultural Committee President C.K. Ponnappa and others attended the meeting.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 16th, 2020

In Neglect The Warriors Rest

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

KodaguWarriorsTombsKF11mar2020

Sad saga of forsaken tombs of British Officers, Soldiers in Madikeri

Madikeri:

Centuries ago, the battlefields of Coorg (Kodagu) thundered with their war cry as they took on marauding armies of the invaders. The British had their own army in Kodagu with thousands of soldiers and officers assisting the Empire to rule the tiny district and also safeguard its borders from marauders.

But the days of the dynasty and the royals are long gone but their remnants — in the form of tombs — are still found in many parts of the district. And unfortunately, these tombs are neglected with no maintenance and weed growth around them.

At Mahadevpet in Madikeri town there is a Gaddige — royal graveyard — built in the Indo-Saracenic style. On the rectangular base, there is a large dome and four turrets. Two Kings of Kodagu (Doddaveera Rajendra and Lingarajendra) and their queens have been buried in the two larger identical structures. The third smaller one has the remains of the Chief Preceptor (Rudrappa) of the Kings.

Beside these three tombs, at a little distance away but within the same enclosure are the tombs of father and son Biddanda Bopanna and Biddanda Somayya. They had served Kodagu and its Kings as Army Generals. While these structures have been maintained (though not very well) by the Kodagu District Archaeology Department, a couple of tombs of British Officers are lying in a pathetic state behind Industrial Training Institute near Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College.

White marble stone tombs

While some of the tombs are made out of white marble stones that were shining years ago with inscriptions and names on them, other tombs are made in the shape of stone pyramids. Some of the tombs have been dug up by treasure-hunters who were hoping to unearth gold or other valuables buried deep under. Also, some of the tombstones have gone under earth with only a small portion showing up.

Unfortunately, some of the white marble slabs of the tombs have been taken away by people and have been used as steps outside their houses after putting cement on the inscriptions and retaining only the outer white marble frame after polishing them.

Years of neglect

Most of the tombstones have been aesthetically carved and many warriors and their Commanders are buried inside. Some of the names inscribed on top of the tombstones have been covered by hardened fungus due to years of neglect and vagaries of weather. The inscriptions include the name of the deceased officer and the person who built the tomb.

Among the tombs, one tomb belongs to a son of a Lieutenant General who died when he was just 18 years old. Another tomb has the names of four members of one family. However, the cause of death is not known — if they died separately or together. But the name of the person who built the tomb has been carved and it says he is from Bengaluru. This shows that special interest was taken to build this tomb and a person was specially summoned from Bengaluru for the purpose.

Cause of death lost forever

These tombs were carved after 1805 AD and sport different years on them. Except names, there are no other details available on the tombs and as such, the reasons behind their deaths have been lost forever.

Records say that these tombs were earlier located at the place where the present Raja’s Seat stands. These tombs were discovered in the pre-independence era and at that time, Raja’s Seat was on the outskirts of Madikeri town and this may be the reason for the tombs to be built in the vicinity of Raja’s Seat.

Originally near Raja’s Seat

After independence when plans were chalked out for Madikeri’s development including the beautification of Raja’s Seat which was at an elevated place, the tombs were shifted behind Industrial Training Institute. Then, Raja’s Seat came within the jurisdiction of Madikeri town and it was developed into a tourist place.

After the tombs were shifted behind Industrial Training Institute, a protective compound wall was built around them. Over the year, the wall has collapsed and treasure seekers have dug up many graves. Wild weeds and green growth have covered the area and they have grown up to almost 20 feet.

There are no records whatsoever regarding the dead officers. Whether they died naturally or whether they were killed by local kings and chieftains is not known and this may be a good subject of research.

If at all the officers were killed during the freedom struggle, a new chapter on Kodagu’s freedom struggle is set to be written in history books.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / by Prasad Sampigekatte / March 10th, 2020

RS MP Kupendra Reddy Calls Kodava Community To Stay United On Tribal Status

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

CNCkf20jan2020

Madikeri:

Maintaining that Kodava community has been deprived of tribal status due to lack of organised efforts and killer instinct, Rajya Sabha (RS) member Kupendra Reddy called upon Kodava community members to launch a movement for getting Constitutionally mandated tribal status.

He was speaking at a seminar on Kodava Tribal Status, organised by Codava National Council (CNC) at Capitol village on the outskirts of Madikeri town yesterday.

Stating that the richness of Kodava culture and practices are key factors in getting tribal status, Reddy said that even the British had considered Kodavas as a tribal community in a census conducted by them. But Kodavas have chosen to stay away from the status as they considered it inferior, he regretted.

Pointing out that Kodavas need tribal status to get Government posts, he lauded the fighting spirit of CNC President N.U. Nachappa, who has been waging a battle for the cause for over a decade

Reiterating that lack of unity among Kodava community had deprived the community of its rights, he appealed the community to support Nachappa in his struggles.

Another RS MP B.K. Hariprasad said that Kodava community which emanated from the banks of the holy river Cauvery is now staring at a crisis. Arguing that the Constitutionally mandated status alone can help Kodava culture and tradition to sustain, Hariprasad called upon the community members to shun a feeling of inferiority, if they have any.

Claiming that the Sanskrit speaking population, which is hardly 50,000 in number has got reservation, he wondered why the Kodava population which is multiple times higher has not got reservation. Although Kodavas were socially and academically forward, they have been deprived of opportunities, he regretted. Hariprasad further said that he had raised his voice for an appropriate status for Kodava language in Parliament.

CNC President N.U. Nachappa in his address, said that a tribal status alone can save Kodava culture, tradition and practices from becoming extinct.

Pointing out Kodava Gun Rights has never been misused for any anti-national activities, he said that the Gun Rights has remained in place even after seven decades of independence because of this fact. Nachappa warned that Kodavas will have no future if they fail to learn about tribal rights listed in the schedule of the Constitution.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 19th, 2020

DC submits ‘Ponnampet taluk’ proposal to govt

About Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All

AnniesKF15nov2019

Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy submitted a proposal to the Principal Secretary of the Revenue department on reorganising the villages in Virajpet and adding them to the soon-to-be declared new taluk– Ponnampet.

A detailed list, comprising of the demarcated hoblis, villages and forest lands from Virajpet taluk, had been drafted for final approval.

The new Ponnampet taluk will comprise of 18 villages, 11 sub-villages, four forest areas in Ponnampet hobli limit, nine villages, one sub-village, one forest area in Balele hobli, 12 villages, 4 sub-villages, one forest area in Srimangala hobli, 10 villages and 6 sub-villages in Hudikeri hobli.

As many as 21 out of the 34 gram panchayats in Virajpet taluk are proposed to be appended to the new taluk.

A total of 2,23,507 acres of forest land from Devamacchi, Nagarahole and Brahmagiri forest areas, will be added to Ponnampet taluk. The new Ponnampet taluk with 49 villages will have a population of 1.30 lakh people. Around 100 primary schools, over 50 high schools, 15 PU colleges, two polytechnics, one ITI and one-degree college will be added to the new taluk.

Ponnampet’s history

Earlier, Ponnampet was a taluk centre, named as Kiggattunadu. The nameplates of the government model primary school is still Kiggattunadu. In 1800, Diwan Ponnappa founded Ponnampet town, combining the villages in Halligattu and Matturu. Ponnampet was named after the Diwan.

Ponnampet also has the distinction of hosting Mahatama Gandhiji’s programme. Ponnampet is recognised as the cultural center of Southern Kodagu. Except for the office of Tahsildar, all taluk level government offices are situated in Ponnampet, making it the obvious choice for the taluk centre.

Ponnampet houses a court, treasurer, Taluk Panchayat office, Sub-divisional office of PWD, offices of the departments of social welfare, backward classes welfare, horticulture, Nadakacheri, office of the DCF and other government offices.

The new Ponnampet taluk, on becoming a reality will be easily accessible to the bordering villages of Balele, Nitturu Karmadu, Kutta, Birunani, Parakatageri and Teralu, villagers added.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Gonikoppa / November 14th, 2019

Built-up area in buffer zone threatens Cauvery

About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
This collapsed house on the river bank at Karadikodu in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu districtis a tell-tale sign of disaster. A study by EMPRI shows that encroachment and construction activities in the 300-meter buffer zone on either side of the river pose a
This collapsed house on the river bank at Karadikodu in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu districtis a tell-tale sign of disaster. A study by EMPRI shows that encroachment and construction activities in the 300-meter buffer zone on either side of the river pose a

The submergence of hundreds of houses on either side of Cauvery river in Virajpet taluk may only be the beginning of a major disaster in riparian states as destruction of river ecology and encroachment of buffer zones have made the region vulnerable to climate change.

Entire villages have washed up within 100 meters from the river basin, with the distance between the house and the river reduced to about 10 feet at Bethri, Karadigodu, Guhya and Kondangeri. As flood survivors complained about the damage, Cauvery flowed quietly, taking the rejects from the houses pushed into its basin.

A study by Environment Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) submitted to the government last year shows that the encroachment and construction activities in the 300-meter buffer zone on either side of the river poses a serious threat to both the river and people dependent on it.

To analyse land use, the study relied on satellite data, census maps which were verified with GPS-based data from the ground. Tracking change in land use and land cover along the buffer zone in Karnataka, experts saw that the built-up area alone increased by 941.05 acres between 2003-04 and 2014-15. “Built-up (rural area) expanded by 77% and built-up (urban area) expanded by 31%. This is identified as prominent change. In Kodagu, the total built-up area along the buffer zone jumped from 3% to 8%,” the study says.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (EWPRT) Ritu Kakkaar, who headed the working group that conducted the study, said the absence of a law to monitor the buffer zones should be rectified. “The 300-meter standard buffer zone should be monitored constantly. Any development activities in that area should be restricted and sand mining should be stopped immediately. These are major reasons contributing to floods,” she said.

There are 260 villages, 168 in upper Cauvery sub-basin and 192 in mid sub-basin and some, as seen in Virajpet, have come up within 100 meters of the river. Besides encroaching the buffer zones, the human activity has also eroded the river ecology.

The study has also raised concerns over the lack of coordination in monitoring water quality of the river. While the water quality data by Central Pollution Control Board revealed that 24.6% of Cauvery river stretch in Karnataka has been polluted and is unfit to drink without proper treatment, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board data put the water quality at Class C (fit for drinking) for years. The central body’s number puts the water in Class E category.

Worryingly arsenic, chromium, copper, cadmium, zinc and lead were found in river water and the study attributed this to the human activities through industrial effluents, sewage and automobile wastes.

Minister S Suresh Kumar said he has already proposed shifting of the flood-hit villages located on river banks. “I have urged the zilla and town panchayats to pass a resolution to shift them to alternative houses in safe zones, instead of awarding compensation. Ultimately, people have to be taken into confidence,” he said.

The minister said he has told district officials to stop the flow of raw sewage into the river in Kushalnagar and set up a treatment plant at the earliest.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by Chiranjeevi Kulkarni / DH News Service / Virajpet (Kodagu District) / August 23rd, 2019

Karnataka rains: Brahmagiri Hill in Kodagu develops deep cracks

About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Bramhagiri Hill, a place of mythological importance and the birth place of river Cauvery, is one of the most sacrosanct places in Kodagu.

A visual from flood-hit Kodagu district in Karnataka. | Express Photo Services
A visual from flood-hit Kodagu district in Karnataka. | Express Photo Services

Madikeri :

Bramhagiri Hill, a place of mythological importance and the birthplace of river Cauvery, is one of the most sacrosanct places in Kodagu. The historical place has developed cracks following incessant rain. The cracks have extended from the Talacauvery ‘kundike’ (place of holy water) to the top of the Bramhagiri Hill, sending fear among the residents of Bhagamandala and Talacauvery.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies K Joy requested scientists from the Geological Survey of India to study the landscape and submit a report.

“GSI scientists’ team has visited various spots. A detailed study and precautionary measures that need to be at these places will be submitted in a report on August 22,” he said.

Meanwhile, the residents of Bhagamandala said that the once-untouched hill has now witnessed human interference. One resident said, “During 2016, the forest department had taken earthmovers atop the hill to set up a rainwater harvesting unit. The hill was dug up for this.”

When asked, a former RFO of Bhagamandala, requesting anonymity said that this could not have been the reason for the crack.

“Recently, there had been landslides and earthmovers were used to clear it. This too might have affected the landform,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Pragna G R / Express News Service / August 20th, 2019

After Cracks At Ayyappa Swamy Betta In Virajpet… Cracks In Brahmagiri Hill Worries People Of Kodagu

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

CracksKF22aug2019

Madikeri:

A day after inspecting cracks developed at Ayyappa Swamy Hill in Virajpet, a two-member GSI (Geological Survey of India) team visited Brahmagiri Hill range in Talacauvery on Sunday, following reports that huge cracks had developed at several locations in the Hill range.

The GSI team comprising Sunandan Basu and Kapil Sharma inspected Brahmagiri Hill range and studied the hill’s ecology, geology and geographical characteristics.

The team also got to know that the Forest Department had dug pits and planted saplings using heavy machinery, which may have caused loosening of the soil layer on the Hill range, leading to wide cracks.

Basu and Sharma also visited Korangala, where massive landslides were reported and studied about the reasons for such huge landslips.

The cracks on Brahmagiri Hill in Talacauvery, the birthplace of River Cauvery, the lifeline of crores of people along the river basin, has been a cause of worry for local people.

The residents have appealed the Government and the District Administration to take immediate measures to save Brahmagiri Hill range, which they consider as holy and also ecologically sensitive for its lush green cover.

The GSI team, after conducting a thorough study on all factors that have caused cracks in hillocks, is likely to submit a report to the Government on the measures to be taken.

Many Hills under threat of collapse

Meanwhile, many other hillocks elsewhere in Kodagu district are facing the threat of collapse, as cracks have reportedly surfaced in some of them.

After Brahmagiri Hill range in Bhagamandala, Ayyappa Swamy and Malethirike in Virajpet and Manipare Hillock at Thora village along the Kerala border, several other Hills too are said to have developed cracks, giving rise to serious concerns among local people.

Although the district has got a break from rains for the past couple of days, the people living near the hillocks still feel that their troubles are not far from over.

Many residents of Kodagu feel that this year’s rainfall is the highest in decades and has similarities with the 1972 deluge, when rain caused havoc and untold misery. But then, there were not much causalities as the population was less and urbanisation was yet to pick up pace.

But this year, the damage has been extensive with many homes collapsing and hundreds of people taking shelter in relief camps set up by the District Administration.

The district is facing the deluge for the second successive year. Last year, the deluge had devastated the district to such an extent that it will take many years for reconstruction.

Following last year’s rain ravage, a GSI team had extensively toured the district to undertake a detailed study of landslides and landslips. The GSI then had classified dangerous zones under four categories and had warned that villages coming under these zones could face nature’s fury once again. As such, the District Administration had taken many measures on a war-footing to prevent casualties and damages to properties as much as possible.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 21st, 2019

Kodagu: Battling nature’s fury for two years in a row

About Kodagu / Coorg, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All
In action: For the people of flood-hit region, the presence of rescue personnel has infused a strong sense of security. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In action: For the people of flood-hit region, the presence of rescue personnel has infused a strong sense of security. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Rescue prersonnel tread treacherous terrain in flood-affected Kodagu

Wading through slush, climbing slippery slopes, and battling inclement weather from dawn to night without respite is a matter of routine for the rescue teams stationed in the flood-affected Kodagu.

Rain may have abated but the search for missing persons continued at Thora village late on Wednesday as well, when the rescue teams recovered a body of a person buried in the mud.

The teams include three units of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), a column of the Indian Army, and Garuda — the State Commando team under the Centre for Counter Terrorism, apart from personnel of the Fire and Emergency Services, Civil Defence Quick Response Team, KSRP, and the local police, and hundreds of volunteers. For them it is the second consecutive year of battling a natural calamity in the district.

Thora, the toughest

A senior member of the Garuda team who was part of the mission said Thora was the worst affected this year and was comparable to Jodupala in 2018 in terms of the treacherous nature of the terrain. “There were other places too in Kodagu where people were affected by the overflowing river. But in terms of landslips and mud, Thora reminded one of Jodupala,” said the official. He said it was an impossible situation with a river of mud flowing down the hills and one was not sure if the ground beneath the feet was stable.

The team camped at a place nearly a kilometre away from the main road on sighting a few shreds of clothes and other signs of human habitation, which was otherwise obliterated. “Based on the assessment of the ground situation, we zeroed in on a specific point to dig out the mud and found the buried body,” said the Garuda force member.

The trek back was equally dangerous as they had to carry the body on a stretcher for nearly a kilometre in a terrain where their legs would sink knee deep in mud. They made it back to the base camp late in the night. This was just one of the many missions undertaken during the week when Kodagu was inundated.

For the people of the region, the presence of rescue personnel in their orange outfit — as in the case of the NDRF — has infused a strong sense of security. The Kodagu district administration had ensured the deployment of rescue teams and conducted a few rescue drills before the advent of the southwest monsoon in June. As the first signs of the unfolding crisis emerged, with water rising owing to heavy rain, the rescue teams swung into action to evacuate people to safety.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by R. Krishna Kumar / Mysuru – August 15th, 2019