Category Archives: Business & Economy

Impact of agro-forest management on animal diversity in Kodagu district

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Bangalore:

Traditionally coffee in the Western Ghats, as in other tropical regions, is grown under the shade of non-native trees.Such plantations ensure ecological continuity, providing habitat for many species outside protected reserves.

A study by Ayyapan Narayanan of the Department of Ecology, French Institute of Pondicherry, conducted in three different habitats, evaluated the impact of agro-forest management on animal diversity in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. The study was conducted in the preserved forests, coffee plantation with native trees and coffee plantations with non-native trees. Researchers said the objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of the agrosystems in comparison to the forest on local singing animal diversity by employing a passive acoustic method. For each habitat type, four locations were sampled using automatic acoustic recorders.

The acoustic data was then analysed using two indices without using species identification. Differences among habitat types were assessed by comparing the acoustic activity level with non-parametric tests and by including acoustic dissimilarities into multivariate analyses.

source: http://www.m.timesofindia.com / City> Bangalore / by Saswati Mukherjee / September 26th, 2012

Bill to regulate homestays ready

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

After Mangalore homestay attack case, the tourism department in the state seems to have woken up to regulate their activities . The state government has prepared the draft Karnataka Tourism Trade Facilitation Act-2012, according to which it will be mandatory for the owners to register the homestay before starting the operations. The draft Act also states that the owner of the homestay must display license certificate, facilities available in the premises and maintain all necessary records.

It is not only homestay owners, the proposed Act also puts riders on travel agents, tourist guides, adventure sports bodies and others. Once the Act comes into force it will be necessary for tourists guides to seek necessary license from the authorities like Archaeological Survey of India and other government institutions.

Addressing the delegates at a workshop on the proposed Bill, principal secretary of the tourism department G Latha Krishna Rao said that in the backdrop of several unsavoury incidents in the recent past, it was felt that regulations on home stay and adventurous sports was necessary considering the safety of tourists visiting the state.

There is ample opportunity to run home- stays especially in areas close to heritage spots. “At present home stays are concentrated in Kodagu. There are ample opportunities to run homestays in heritage spots and in coastal belts also . Tourists visiting the tourism spots would like to stay in a place which has nativity ambiance. In the interest of tourist visiting the state, regulations will be put in place safeguarding their interests.”

Citing an incident reported in the Bannerghatta National Park where a techie was killed by elephants after he went missing, the official said that the government felt the need of imposing rules and regulations through the proposed Bill. As per the draft rules, adventure sports operators have to follow emergency and rescue operations guidelines, should obtain license, permission from forest officials before entering the activity area, they should have suitable insurance policy, operators shall have a firm or company, established in the place of business for a minimum period of two years, operators shall buy the equipment tested and certified by United International Alpine Association/ European standards. The adventures activities include trekking, mountaineering,rock climbing, mountain biking, bungee jumping and others.

The Bill states that owners of homestay, tourist agents, guides and others who fail to get license from the authorities are liable to pay a fine which may exceed to Rs10,000. For repeated offence there are provision for imprisonment as well as the penalty. The state government will also make provisions to inspect travel agents if necessary.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / Daily News & Analysis / Home> Bangalore> Report / by DNA Correspondent, Place:Bangalore, Agency:DNA / Friday, September 28th, 2012

55 pc posts reserved for women in GP polls

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Leaders

The State government has announced reservation for post of president in each gram panchayat.

Accordingly, 55 per cent of posts are reserved for women in the district. Last year, 32 per cent posts were reserved for women.

There are 98 gram panchayats in the district, of which, the posts of president in 53 Gram Panchayats are reserved for women.

This includes SC/ST, general and woman category.

According to the documents, the post of president is reserved for women in 12 gram panchayats in Madikeri taluk, 22 gram panchayats in Somwarpet and 19 gram panchayats in Virajpet taluk.

The post of president is reserved for SC candidates in 10 gram panchayats, of which, six are women. This includes one in Madikeri taluk, three in Somwarpet taluk and two in Virajpet taluk.

The post of president is reserved for Scheduled Tribe in seven gram panchayats, of which, five are for women.

The post is reserved for Backward class A, B category in 30 gram panchayats, of which, 16 are reserved for women. Under general category, as many as 26 posts have been reserved for women.

This includes six in Madikeri taluk, 11 in Somwarpet taluk and nine in Virajpet taluk. Meetings of the taluk elected representatives will be convened on September 24, 25 and 26 to decide on the reservation.

The meeting will be held at Mahila Samaja near old taluk office in Virajpet on September 24 at 10.30 am, at Okkaligara Kalyana Mantapa in Somwarpet on September 25 at 10.30 am and at Old Fort hall in Madikeri on September 26 at 10.30 am.

The elected representatives of the gram panchayat should attend the meeting.

source:http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Srikanth Kallammanavar, Madikeri, Sep 22, 2012, DHNS :

Chase your dreams with a passion

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Bangalore:

It’s important for youngsters to chase their dreams, but equally important to have a back-up plan, felt Indian cricketer Robin Uthapppa. Concurring with him was singer Vasundhara Das, but actor-director Pavan Kumar felt a back-up plan means you don’t chase your dream with passion.

They shared their thoughts at Headtable, a student leadership forum organized by Inexcel in association with Times NIE at Bishop Cotton Boys’ High School. Head boys and head girls from 226 city schools fired questions at panelists Robin Uthappa, activist Jasmeen Patheja, Pavan Kumar and entrepreneurs Shruti Shibulal and Pallav Nadhani.

Uthappa said several factors made him choose cricket as a career but passion was a driving force. Nadhani said as a 17-year-old, his passion for programming drove him to experiment and set up FusionCharts, a company that has earned the trust of US President Barack Obama.

For Shruti, success meant coming out from the shadow of her well-known father and establishing an identity for herself. For Patheja, on the other hand, it’s quantified by the public’s understanding about sexual harassment. She set up Blank Noise to bring about a change of attitude in both men and women. Pavan Kumar added that men must educate fellow men that harassment of women cannot be justified, and that each one should play a role towards this end.

The panelists added a brushstroke each to a blank canvas later completed as a work of art by Ranjana Ramchandran. The program was compered by Vasundhara Das and the discussion moderated by consultant Sam Selvakumar.
Quote hanger

Robin Uthappa

When you wake up, the first thing you think about is what you are passionate about.

When you have dream, tell the important people in your life – family, friends, and teachers – about it and they will help you achieve it.

It’s important to build a support system around you and they’ll push you in the direction of your dream.

Do your best. That way, even if you fail, rest assured you’ve given it your best shot, your everything.

Have a back-up plan, but that too must be something you enjoy doing. My back-up plan was to be a driver.

Pallav Nadhani

It’s important to find unconventional ways if one has to succeed in life.

The advantage of being young is that you can fluctuate between different goals. Experiment and figure out what you love doing best and then follow it up.

Luck is a combination of opportunity and sweat. If you work hard, luck will favour you.

When you’re young, your mistakes are forgiven and forgotten, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Jasmeen Patheja

Everybody is a survivor because everybody has been a victim at some point in time.

Everyone has to fight battles based on their inner convictions. We must have a sense of purpose and follow it through.

Pavan Kumar

People may dissuade you from pursuing your passion, because they are concerned for you. Do not be discouraged or lose focus. Enjoy the experience of climbing to the top as it can be tough getting there.

Failure was my first girlfriend. If you embrace failure and learn from your mistakes, she will break up with you and push you to success.

Don’t be afraid of being different, laughed at or alone. Take it in your stride. However, be genuine. Don’t deliberately try to be different.

Shruti Shibulal

All of us at some time may have to give up one thing for another. We have to make choices depending on situations.

Give the present your all without worrying too much about what you will be doing in the future.

It’s true women have to work harder to prove themselves to be taken seriously. But once, you achieve that, you gain the respect of your peers.

Education is just a guideline, experiential learning is what will help you understand what you want to do.

Vasundhara Das

Negotiate with your parents when they don’t agree with your dreams.

Having a back-up plan empowers you to go all out in chasing your dream.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / September 02nd, 2012

Trenches, solar fences to check jumbo menace

Agriculture, Business & Economy

Madikeri:
The forest department has decided to install solar fences and dig trenches to check the elephant menace in Kodagu district.

Elaborating on the measures, Kodagu conservator of forests Brijeshkumar Dixith said the department has planned to install solar fences across 71km in Nagarahole-Thithimathi range and for 41km in Dubare range.

The fences will be powered with 5KV to 7KV electricity. Small sheds will be erected at a distance of 3km each along the fence to check and maintain the power lines. The sheds will have the control switches to regulate power.

The department has decided to rope in estate owners for manning the sheds.

Estate owners will be asked to spare a labourer, who will visit the shed every morning and evening to check the switches and regulate power supply.

The department will pay the worker Rs 1,000 per month. This arrangement will spare the department from engaging additional staff for manning the sheds.

In places where the department cannot install solar fences, 3m-wide trenches will be dug. But before taking up these works, Dixith said the department will drive the elephants towards the forest area, away from the village and town boundaries, and a special forest squad has been formed for the purpose.

In North Kodagu especially the Sakaleshpur-Kodagu border, the department has sought permission for tranquilizing and capturing wild elephants.

When questioned about teak cultivation in forest area depleting food for animals, Dixith said it was a wrong notion. “Elephants eat the bark of teak. Also, a variety of bamboo is grown everywhere in Kodagu, which is consumed by elephants,” he said.

On the scarcity of water inside the forest, he said a project will be proposed to repair and rejuvenate all the mud-covered and neglected streams and ponds inside the forest area.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / TNN / August 30th, 2012

Rs. 100 cr. for mechanising operations in coffee plantations

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Science & Technology

Centre to provide subsidy to growers to purchase machinery during the 12th Plan period

The Centre has approved an outlay of Rs. 100 crore in the 12th Five Year Plan for implementing the scheme “Support for mechanisation of farm operations” in coffee estates.

Officials in the Coffee Board told The Hindu that the Centre would soon issue an order for implementing the scheme from the current year. The amount would be utilised for providing subsidy to coffee growers to purchase machinery. A sum of Rs. 20 crore would be utilised each year in the Plan period between 2012 and 2017.

SUBSIDY FOR GROWERS

While small growers owning less than 25 acres of plantation are eligible to get 50 per cent subsidy (up to Rs. 2 lakh) for purchase of machinery, large farmers are eligible to obtain 25 subsidy (up to Rs. 4.5 lakh). Self-help groups are eligible to get 50 per cent subsidy (up to Rs. five lakh). Nearly 97 per cent of coffee planters own less than 25 acres of estates in Karnataka.

LABOUR SHORTAGE

Officials said acute shortage of labour and rise in wages in traditional coffee growing States such as Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu is impeding expansion of area under coffee. The Board has decided to push for more mechanisation of farm activities in plantations to address the problem of absence of skilled labour.

MACHINERY

Planters could utilise funds for purchase of machineries such as weed/brush cutter, pit digging machine, telescopic pruner, hand-held/battery operated coffee harvester, sprayers, mini-tractors, power tillers, mini-transporters/rubber track carriers.

The Board has submitted proposals to the Centre seeking Rs. 1,200 crore during the 12th Plan period. The outlay during the 11th Plan period was Rs. 600 crore.

The Planning Commission, Commerce and Finance Ministries would approve various proposals on research and development, area expansion, replanting etc. in the next couple of months, officials said.

RAIN BRINGS CHEER

Heavy rainfall in the last few weeks is likely to boost the crop prospects in coffee growing districts of Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan. “The situation was alarming a few weeks ago due to deficient rainfall. Heavy rainfall in the last few days helped control spread of the white stem borer disease afflicting coffee plantations,” a top Board official said.

White stem borer is one of the deadly pests that infects Arabica coffee plantations. Its larvae bores into the plant’s stem causing death of young plants. The older plants may survive but their yield is reduced and susceptibility to diseases increases.

EXPECTED YIELD

The Coffee Board has estimated output at 3.25 lakh tonnes in 2012-13 (October-September), which includes 1.04 lakh tonnes of Arabica, and 2.21 lakh tonnes of Robusta. “We analyse the output by the end of the monsoon,” the official pointed out adding that “it is difficult to estimate the production decline at this juncture”.

Karnataka Planters’ Association predicted decline in output in 2012-13 on account of poor monsoon rain in traditional coffee growing States.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Nagesh Prabhu / Bangalore, August 15th, 2012

Motorists seek repair of Hunsur-Gonikoppal road

Business & Economy

Mysore, Aug. 9
A group of people hailing from Kodagu have urged the State government to repair the Hunsur-Thithimathi-Gonikoppa road which is in a pathetic condition, making it nightmarish for the motorists.

The petition, signed online by 132 persons, was submitted by Bangalore-based journalist P.T. Bopanna. The petition sheds light on the unmotorable condition of the road passing through Anechowkoor Check Post.

Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, who represents the Virajpet Assembly constituency, has been requested by the people of that constituency to expedite the work on repairing the Hunsur-Gonikoppa road.

The road also comes under the purview of Hunsur and Periyapatna MLAs. However, they seem to be noncommittal towards the bad condition of the road since it is mostly used by the people of South Kodagu and Kerala State.

Though the government has sanctioned funds for the road repair, work is yet to commence as it is being delayed on the pretext of rains, alleged Bopanna in the petition and said that all people cannot be fooled all the time.

It may be mentioned here that some coffee-growers of south Kodagu, exasperated with the bad condition of the road, had pooled in money and filled up some of the crater-like potholes with several truckloads of jelly stones about two years ago.

Among the donors were former President of the Federation of Kodava Samajas M.N. Belliappa, Umamaheshwari Petrol Bunk owner Kollira Umesh and Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy. However, if the government had responded positively then, the contribution would have been significant. But due to the divine neglect on part of authorities concerned, the condition of the road went from bad to worse.

The PWD engineers, when contacted in this regard, say that the road will soon be converted into an inter-State highway and under this pretext, they avoid initiating any action for the road’s repair.

The fact is that the motorists who frequently use this road are the victims of dirty politics. While the Lok Sabha member for Kodagu-Mysore constituency represents Congress, the MLA for Virajpet constituency is from BJP — Speaker Bopaiah. This road also comes under the purview of Hunsur and Periyapatna MLAs — Chikkanna and Venkatesh respectively — both from Congress.

Meanwhile, both K.G. Bopaiah and Youth Services & Sports Minister M.P. Appachu Ranjan — who are keen to fulfill the demands of Kodagu people and get the road repaired — have assured that the road work will commence from November.

It may be recalled, when some Kodagu citizens launched a protest against the un-motorable condition of this road, Police arrested them, booked cases and got them entangled in legal web. As a result no one is ready to participate in rasta roko as often happens on Mysore-Bangalore road. So our rulers are happy.

The govt., instead of performing its duty of providing basic infrastructure, is harassing citizens by fixing cases through the Police, in an attempt to bring down their morale. Is this democracy?

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / August 09th, 2012

Appachu Ranjan promises house for poor

Business & Economy

Kushalnagar :

The newly appointed Minister for Youth Service and Sports Minister M P Appachu Ranjan was accorded a warm welcome at a function organised by Kushalnagar hobli BJP unit at Raitha Samudaya Bhavana at Koodige on Sunday.

Speaking after receiving the felicitation, Ranjan said that he could get the cabinet berth with the blessings of the people and support from the BJP. “My priority will be to provide justice to the poor and labour class by responding to their problems. I will do my best to meet the expectations of the people by implementing all the necessary developmental work,” he said.

Priority will be given for the construction of houses for the poor homeless. A total of 80 acre of land including 18 acre in Koodumangalore limits has been reserved to construct houses for the poor families. The officers who perform well will be supported, while those who fail to carry out good work will be taught a lesson, said the Minister.

Zilla Panchayat President Shanteyanda Ravi Kushalappa said that with Appachu Ranjan receiving the ministerial berth it would be helpful to address the burning problems of the district.

Former MLC S G Medappa, ZP member S N Raja Rao, Rameshwara Primary Krishi Pathu Sahakara Sangha President K K Bhogappa and others were present. Appachu Ranjan received grievances from the people on the occasion.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS, July 22nd, 2012

Tata Coffee’s new roastery to serve beans to Starbucks

Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)


Chennai, JULY 25:
Tata Coffee Ltd, which inked a deal last year with Starbucks to source and roast premium coffee beans for the global coffee chain, will soon kick off a modern roastery in Kushal Nagar, Coorg in Karnataka.

The Rs 3-crore, 375-tonne-a-year roastery is fully-automated, said Mr Hameed Huq, Managing Director, Tata Coffee. Mr Huq told Business Line that the roastery, which conforms to the best food safety standards, will source and roast the best Arabica coffee beans from Tata Coffee estates for Starbucks as well as other coffee retailers.

While the new roastery will supply in India to Starbucks, which will roll out its cafes later this year, Starbucks can send the beans to its outlets abroad as well, pointed out Mr Huq.

Tata Coffee had entered into an agreement with Starbucks Coffee International Inc and Tata Starbucks Ltd, an equal joint venture between Tata Global Beverages Ltd and Starbucks, for roasting coffee produced in the company’s estates using the global coffee major’s knowhow and technology. The coffee is to be distributed to Starbucks cafes, to be set up by Tata Starbucks in India, as well as to Starbuck operations overseas.

Vinay.kamath@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry & Economy> Marketing / by Vinay Kamath / Chennai, July 25th, 2012

Appachu Ranjan gets rousing welcome in Kodagu

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

Madikeri, Jul 13, 2012, DHNS :
Minister promises to work for development of region

Mandepanda Poovaiah Appachu Ranjan was accorded a warm welcome during his maiden visit to the district, after taking oath as a cabinet minister, in the newly formed Ministry under the leadership of Jagadeesh Shettar, on Friday.

The district administration and the district BJP workers welcomed him at forest gate at Cauvery bridge. Superintendent of Police Manjunath Annigeri, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anjanappa, Tahsildar Bhaskar and others welcomed him with flower bouquets.

Zilla Panchayat President Shantheyanda Ravi Kushalappa, BJP state committee member Sunil Subramani, District BJP unit president B D Manjunath, Town Panchayat president S P Charitha, BJP spokesperson Manu Muthappa, TP President V K Lokesh and others were present. He was taken out in a procession in open vehicle.

In Madikeri, he visited Sri Kote Mahaganapathy temple and offered a special pooja at the temple.
The Minister also garlanded the statues of Field Marshal K M Cariappa, Subedar Guddemane Appayya.

Speaking on the occasion, he said “I have understood the problems faced by the villagers through village stay programmes. I will give priority to the rural roads, drinking water and site for the siteless.”

He said “I have already expressed my opposition to the world heritage site tag on Western Ghats. In case of necessity, I will raise the issue in the cabinet meeting.” He said that he will work to the expectations of the people of the district.

He said “with the blessings of Goddess Cauvery, I have received a berth in the Ministry. In the 20:20 cricket match, 13 overs have been completed. There is five overs to be played.

I have to hit either boundary or six. I will work round the clock for the welfare of the people.” He later visited Ganapathy temple and offered prayers. The party workers had even burst crackers and distributed sweets in Kushalnagar.

The Minister was given welcome at Guddehosur, 7th Hosakote, Suntikoppa, Kodagarahalli. In Shanivarasanthe, a large number of supporters welcomed him at Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Madikeri, DHNS, July 13th, 2012