A typical plantation walk in one of Coorg’s large coffee estates, in fact, is nothing short of a treat to all five senses.
New Delhi:
In India’s coffee heartland Coorg, which is at a driving distance from the city of Bengaluru and nestled in the densely forested Western Ghats, February is the season to find abundant coffee trees laden with small crimson and green berries that hold inside them two green beans each. It is in these Karnataka-based coffee plantations, that many of the flavourful and aromatic coffee beans originate, before they are dried, roasted and ground into the perfect cup of coffee in your hands.
Coorg, locally known as Kodagu, can often be found on the bucket lists of seasoned travellers for its tranquil setting, biodiversity, delicious Kodava cuisine and large-scale cultivation of Indian coffee. A forthcoming luxury destination, the southern hill station has unmatched experiences that go beyond tourism-as-usual.
For those interested in experiencing first-hand, the crop-to-cup process of coffee in India, the local hospitality options do offer plantation walks and trails that have you immersed in the native experience.
In an ecologically diverse and sensitive region like Coorg, threats to the forest ecosystem are aplenty, and are prone to multiplication with additional construction to support the consumerist traveller’s lifestyle.
The homestay experience, then, comes as the perfect fit for the region and is growing by the year. Allowing one to lodge up in close proximity to the natural environment and coffee crops within the estates themselves, while observing all Covid-19 precautions, options on Airbnb in Coorg are something new-age travellers must check before heading to the beautiful southern coffee county.
A typical plantation walk in one of Coorg’s large coffee estates, in fact, is nothing short of a treat to all five senses.
As one walks along a narrow network of tracks lined by trees of Robusta and Arabica coffee species, along with cultivations of arecanut, pepper and cardamom, the calls of Coorg’s diverse bird species are unmistakable in the background. According to Ganesh H R, a local bird expert popularly termed the Bird Man of Coorg, over half of India’s overall bird species can be found in the region, along with birds like White-cheeked barbet, Malabar barbet and Malabar grey hornbill that are endemic to the region. The place is also a great spot for serious bird-watching.
Surrounded by a tall canopy and clear blue skies difficult to find in urban jungles, walkers are greeted with the smell of flowering coffee shrub and ripened coffee berries along the way. In some trail experiences, enthusiasts may be invited to participate in coffee berry harvest — picking bunches of red and green berries off the branches onto a wide-based container below.
In experiences bookable on Airbnb, such as the farm-to-cup experience on FiveFarms Coffee, one can step into the shoes of a coffee grower and help with jobs like transplanting young plants from the nursery, checking for fragrant coffee blossoms or picking ripe red berries. The beans are then dried in the sun before processing it mechanically into the final product. Visitors can also experience roasting and take back roasted batches of beans.
source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home / by IANS / February 27th, 2022
Things are falling in place for the establishment of a mini airport (or airstrip) in Kushalnagar and yesterday, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Dr. B.C. Satish inspected the land that has been allotted to the project.
The DC was accompanied by some technical officers of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the officers of Agriculture Department whose land in Koodige has been earmarked for the project.
Discussing the land issue with the Revenue Department officials, the DC asked them to submit a report on the 56-acre land in the premises of Koodige Agriculture Department so that he can report the land status to the Government.
The land for the mini airport is behind the Kodagu Sainik School and is owned by the Agricultural Department at Doddathoor Village till the border of Basavanathoor village that has been mentioned in the surveys conducted by the Public Works Department. In June 2019, a team of officials from the AAI had visited the site and had accepted the land proposal.
In December 2019, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry had selected Kushalnagar airstrip under the fourth round of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) or the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagarik (UDAN) Scheme. The airstrip was listed under the unserved airport category — any airport at which there have been no scheduled commercial flights.
The Government Order to develop Kushalnagar airstrip along with other airstrips at Chikkamagalur, Karwar, Raichur, Gadag, Bagalkot, Davanagere and Udupi was issued in 2018.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 18th, 2022
During his meeting with CM Bommai in New Delhi yesterday, MP Pratap Simha has urged for approval to develop certain roads in his constituency (Mysuru-Kodagu) under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model with Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL).
The roads identified to be developed in the PPP model are: Mysuru-Madikeri Road from Yasodharapura near Hunsur on National Highway 275 Junction (Kallbeta), State Highway 90 from Hunsur, Virajpet to Talacauvery, State Highway 91 from Thithimathi, Gonikoppal, Bittangala to Perumbadi, Kandimakki-Makutta road till the Kerala border up to 76 kms and State Highway 89 from Madikeri to Kutta via Siddapura, Pollibetta, Gonikoppal, Ponnampet, Hudikeri, Shettigeri and Srimangala with a total distance of 85 kms.
Reports have been submitted to the State Government by KRDCL Managing Director Rekha after studying the modalities, present situation of the roads and also how the PPP model can be implemented.
The KRDCL has estimated the cost of repairs at Rs. 6.43 crore. The MP drew the CM’s attention to a memorandum submitted by him to PWD Minister C.C. Patil following which the estimate was made. He urged Bommai to allocate funds in the forthcoming Budget.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 08th, 2022
The Arabica Parchment coffee price has soared to an all-time high of Rs 16,200 per 50-kg bag on Thursday, in Somwarpet and Chikamagalur markets.
Madikeri:
The Arabica Parchment coffee price has soared to an all-time high of Rs 16,200 per 50-kg bag on Thursday, in Somwarpet and Chikamagalur markets. A large-scale destruction caused by snowfall to the similar coffee variety in Brazil, the largest producer of the crop, has come as a blessing in disguise for the growers here.
According to traders, normally, this coffee variety commands a price of Rs 10,500 to 11,500. Similarly, the cost of Robusta Parchment has touched Rs 7,600 per bag. The last time when Arabica coffee reached the highest price was in 2014 when it sold at Rs 9,600-Rs 9,800 per bag. The price saw a downward trend and touched Rs 6,000.
The prices of Arabica Cherry and Robusta Cherry have seen a marginal rise in price. They command a price of Rs 7,500-7,600 and Rs 3,800-Rs 4,100 per bag respectively. Growers in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan are elated over rise in the prices of coffee, despite problems of shortage.
Coffee was bought and exported by the government through the Coffee Board before growers were allowed to sell their produce directly in the open market since 1992, following protests by them.
December to April is the time for coffee harvesting and 90 percent of growers sell the produce before the beginning of the rainy season due to the price fluctuations and lack of warehousing facilities. The total annual coffee production in the country is approximately 3.6 lakh tonnes. Most of the Arabica growers have already sold their produce.
Speaking to The Hans India, a coffee exporter and promoter of AWIT Innovations (P) Ltd in Kushalnagar, Rajiv Kushalappa said that the price fluctuations are likely to increase in the near future due to prevailing international market conditions. According to him, the rise in the price was fallout of crop loss in Brazil following heavy snowfall. Ratan Machaiah, a coffee grower in Gonicoppa, said that the cost of production of coffee has increased significantly in recent years and growers are in a distress.
The wages of labourers, cost of fertilisers, pesticides, etc., have doubled over the past decade, but the price remains the same. The growers are gambling on unpredictable climatic conditions year after year. He has urged the government to support the growers by announcing a special package.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / byCoovercolly Indresh / Hans News Service / February 10th, 2022
It’s a fine balance between high quality espresso, hot milk and silky milk foam, explains coffee sensei Sherri Johns
A perfect cup of cappuccino. (Photo: Unsplash)
Sensei is a Japanese word which translates to a teacher or master. Coffee expert Sherri Johns was regarded as a sensei when she was in Japan doing what she does best—training people to brew the perfect cup. Johns’ helped set up India’s first Specialty Coffee Association Premier Training Campus and Araku’s flagship store in Bengaluru. Now, she is visiting the city for the certificate programmes at ARAKU World Specialty Coffee Academy (AWSCA) which run from January 25 to February 16.
In a career spanning more than 40 years, the Portland-based Johns worked with Starbucks, launched the World Barista Championship and was on the board of Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)—a nonprofit, membership-only organization that represents coffee professionals across the globe. In 1980, during the early days of her career in San Francisco, she entered an annual Barista competition, won it for three years straight, and earned the title ‘cappuccino queen of San Francisco’.
source: http://www.lifestyle.livemint.com / Mint Lounge / Home> Food> Drinks / by Jahnabee Borah / February 02nd, 2022
Start planning a romantic trip to Coorg with your sweetheart
Coorg is a beautiful destination to spend time with your special someone. This lovely hill station is surrounded by coffee and spice plantations, pepper vines, waterfalls, streams, and rice paddies, making it a top destination for nature enthusiasts and couples. You can take a romantic stroll through the verdant plantations with your lover, inhaling the enticing aromas of cardamom and coffee.
Also, the landscape, geography, and climate of Coorg have earned it the title ‘India’s Own Scotland.’ If reading all of this has sparked your interest, there is much more that the place has to offer, which you can only witness by visiting there.
Let’s know more and start planning with your sweetheart for a romantic trip in Coorg.
The weather
Plan a trip to this hill station between November to March not just for the pleasant weather but also to celebrate Puttari, the harvest festival and to indulge in some mouth-watering local delicacies.
How to reach Coorg
By Air: Coorg does not have its airport and the nearest airport to Coorg lies at Mangalore, about 135 km away. It is well-connected to major cities in India including New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The second nearest airport is in Bangalore, which is located about 250 km from Coorg. From the airports, you can either board a bus or hire a cab to reach Coorg.
By Train: The nearest railway station from Coorg is at Mysore. Mysore railway station is connected to almost all notable cities in the country. It has a regular train schedule by which thousands of tourists visit Coorg daily. From the station, you can hire a cab or take a bus to Coorg. Apart from this, the railway stations in Mangalore and Hassan can also be conveniently used for reaching Coorg.
By Road: You can opt for your car and enjoy a long drive experience with your someone special. Coorg is well connected by road with all major cities in Karnataka. Cities like Mangalore (159 km), Mysore (120 km), Bangalore (267 km), and Hassan (103 km) are connected by a network of roads with Coorg. KSRTC also has an impressive line of deluxe buses that you can use to reach Coorg from nearby cities. You can also plan a road trip to Coorg and witness abundant natural beauty en route.
Explore beautiful places in Coorg
Golden Temple: Experience Tibetan Culture
Credit: Trip Advisor
There are several temples in Coorg but this one is simply stands out for its outstanding beauty. Coorg is the only place in Southern India with a Tibetan settlement. The Namdroling Monastery, better known locally as the Golden Temple is a beautiful Tibetan monastery. It’s a great way to know different cultures. The surrounding stalls also have Tibetan food like momos and thukpas! Visiting Bylakuppe is truly one of the best things to do in Coorg. It is also one of the best places to visit in Bangalore.
Abbey Falls
Credit: Thrillophilia
Coorg is blessed with nature’s bounty and photographing it is one of the best things to do in Coorg. The milky waterfall located in a scenic coffee and spice plantation offers a great view for that perfect Instagram photo. So don’t fret while wondering what to do in Coorg, just head to Abbey falls! This is one of the most popular waterfalls in Coorg. You can click loads of pictures there with your partner.
Barapole- River Rafting
Credit: Treebo
One of the most underrated activities to do in Coorg is river rafting. Coorg is a great place for whitewater rafting, especially during the monsoons. The Barapole River has grades ranging from I to V offering the ultimate adventure experience to travellers. River rafting in Coorg is one activity that you must add to your list of things to do in Coorg in August.
Amazing food in Coorg
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Coorg cuisine is unique and different from the rest of Karnataka. It’s predominantly non-vegetarian and uses local ingredients like forest produce, meat, rice and rice-based products. Eating their famous pork or pandi curry is a must. For vegetarians, there is akki rotti, nool puttu, and koovaleputtu. If you are looking for things to do in Coorg at night, then enjoy one of these dishes for dinner on your trip there with your partner.
Jeep Safari- Sightseeing
Credit: Travel blogs
If you love exploring, then one of the top things to do in Coorg is to enjoy the Jeep Safari. There are various jeep safari tours available and one can choose the best one suited to their preferences. Some of the best places to explore on a jeep safari in Coorg are Kabbe Hills which offers breathtaking views of the landscape, Nishani Hills which is an off-road jeep drive, and Mallalli waterfalls which takes one to the cascading falls in Coorg.
Chettali
Credit: Etravelfly
If you are into exploring culture, an interesting thing to do in Coorg would be to visit a local village. Chettalli is a small village on the Madikeri, Siddapur Road is just the place. With the misty hills being perfectly complemented by the unending greenery it provides a great place to enjoy the serenity and relax.
When shortlisting places for Coorg sightseeing, make sure you don’t miss out on this one. The popular Cherala Bhagwati Temple in Chettalli also attracts a lot of tourists and visitors.
Microlight flying in Coorg
Credit: indiabizclub
The dramatic landscape of Coorg is perfect for a microlight flying experience. Fly about 5000 feet above the ground to feel the adrenaline rush. Soar above the verdant mountains and gushing rivers to enjoy the spellbinding views. The flight starts from Ponnampet and goes to the South of Coorg. The duration is usually between 10 to 30 minutes.
Ayurjeevan
Credit: Trip Advisor
The Ayurjeevan Ayurvedic Therapy Centre is another great Place to Visit in Coorgfor couples that will certainly leave a lasting mark on your mind and heart but interestingly, not for its beauty or nature but for its wondrous services. It is where you should visit if you like to pamper yourself at exclusive spa treatments. This place in Coorg offers a wide range of authentic Ayurvedic massages and spa packages that will invigorate thoroughly. For a refreshing and rejuvenating vacation, this is a must in the places to visit in Coorg with your partner.
Romantic Places To Stay In Coorg
In Coorg, you will find lavish destinations to reconnect yourself to nature, or marvelling at the unique interiors of the place. Like: Taj Madikeri Resort And Spa, Woodstock Resort, Heritage Resort and more.
This was an elaborate guide to having the most of what Coorg has to offer when it comes to romantic trips. Have a splendid time enjoying the lush green pastures, nature walks, and clicking memorable pictures in coffee and tea plantations as you explore the above-mentioned romantic places to visit in Coorg. A vacation in Karnataka would be all the more amazing if the itinerary includes a visit to the romantic Coorg.
source: http://www.cityspidey.com / CitySpidey / Home> News / by Lifestyle Desk / February 08th, 2022
The newly-constructed bridge connects Kodagu and Kerala; facilitates travel to Kannur Airport
Virajpet:
The newly constructed Kootupole bridge that links Kodagu district with neighbouring Kerala was formally thrown open for public travel last Monday.
Kerala PWD Minister P.A. Mohammad Riaz, Peravoor MLA Sanni Joseph, Kodagu’s Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah, MLC M.P. SujaKushalappa and other dignitaries travelled in an open jeep on the bridge from Kerala border side to Karnataka side of the border, thus throwing open the newly constructed bridge.
The bridge is at the Karnataka-Kerala border and is part of the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) road between Thalassery and Valavupara. The bridge work was completed as Karnataka Wildlife Board gave permission to construct the same.
The old bridge, built during the British era across Kootupole, was providing inter-state connectivity at Makutta and it was narrow and in dilapidated condition. With the construction of Kannur International Airport, the density of vehicles on the old bridge had increased. To provide connectivity to the Airport, the Kerala Government had developed a 55-km road and bridges at an estimated cost of Rs. 360 crore till Kootupole.
However, the Karnataka Forest Department had stalled the work in 2017 considering that the land belonged to Bramhagiri Wildlife Division. Though the claim of Kerala was that the river is in its territory, the Karnataka authorities claimed that a portion of the bridge is in Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and also they claimed that half the river belongs to them, following which the work had to be stopped.
Speaking during the inaugural function of the bridge, MLA K.G. Bopaiah said that the bridge will provide a new link between Kerala and Karnataka and also largely help vehicles travelling towards Kannur Airport. Pointing out that the small bridge was severely hampering vehicular movement on this important border road, he said that the new bridge will cater to the needs of the travelling public, especially those wanting to reach Kannur Airport from different parts of Karnataka.
MLC SujaKushalappa said that the British had built a small bridge at Kootupole, which had become problematic for vehicular movement due to its small width. Now, with the construction of the new bridge it is hoped that trade and commerce between the two States would become faster and cheaper, he added. He further said that the new bridge will also help devotees who are on the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
Peravoor MLA Sanni Joseph in his address said that the bridge faced many legal hurdles, which were successfully addressed subsequently. KSTP has built 7 bridges from Thalassery to Valavupara including the Kootupole Bridge and many roads to reach the Kannur Airport at a total cost of Rs. 360 crore, he said and added that five of these bridges have been inaugurated, while two others are set for inauguration. He thanked the Karnataka Government and MLA Bopaiah for their co-operation in the construction of the bridge.
Kodagu Hindu AikyaVedike Working President ValsanTilankeri, BJP leaders V.V. Chandran, M.R. Suresh and Binoy Kurian, Congress leader Thomas Varghese, Virajpet TP member C.K. Prithvinath, leaders B.M. Ganesh, Achhapanda Mahesh Ganapathi, Patrappanda Raghu Nanaiah, Chuppa Nagaraj, MadhuDevaiah and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 03rd, 2022
The Mysuru-Madikeri railway line which was supposed to be taken up till Kushalnagar in the first phase, has been allotted ₹1000 in the budget for 2022-23!
The project has remained a non-starter and is bogged down by cost escalation besides negative rate of returns. Like most new railway lines, its progress also hinges on land acquisition and there is no progress and hence the allocation is nominal so that the project is not put in the backburner or frozen, said the officials.
Mooted to put the district on the railway map of India, the project has evoked strong opposition from the local community in Kodagu besides environmentalists as it could aggravate human-animal conflict.
An earlier survey conducted by the railways indicated that the Mysuru-Kushalnagar stretch would be 87.2 km and the cost was pegged at ₹1,854.62 crore in February 2019. The cost per km is expected to be ₹21.27 crore and it required acquisition of 247.65 hectares of dry land and 275.15 hectares of wetland.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – February 03rd, 2022
TATA Coffee Grand celebrates the unique sounds of the harvest festivity this Pongal along with its ‘Shik Shik Shik’ campaign
Coimbatore :
TATA Coffee Grand, the coffee brand from the house of Tata Consumer Products continues its celebration of bringing out the emotions and excitement associated with coffee in Tamil Nadu. In line with this, the brand has released a festive film celebrating the various sounds that reflect the unique spirit of Pongal with the ‘Sounds of Tamil Nadu’ campaign of Tata Coffee Grand.
The vibrant film is a montage of various visuals and sounds that are associated with the Pongal festival; the crunch of sugarcane, the clink of children’s anklets, and the musical echoes of the ‘kulavai’ among others. Replete with sumptuous Pongal delicacies, family gatherings, and a splash of rich hues that the Tamil culture is well-known for, the film concludes with the thought, ‘How can any festive meal be complete without coffee and the emotions associated with it?’
Talking about the film, Puneet Das, President – Packaged Beverages (India and South Asia), Tata Consumer Products said, “Our campaign of Tata Coffee Grand launched last year, synonymizes the word ‘Coffee’ with the sound i.e. Shik-Shik-Shik – which represents the sound heard when the Tata Coffee Grand jar or pack is shaken! We have gone a step ahead this year and have extended the ‘shik shik shik’ proposition to the sound of the Pongal festivities, to capture the excitement of the festival along with the emotions of drinking coffee. These festivities are not just reflected in the visuals but also in the unique sounds that reverberate throughout the harvest season. In highlighting this, we are happy to launch our new film which doubles up as a feast to the senses and has a distinct sound design that celebrates the festive taste of Tamil Nadu”.
Commenting on the campaign idea, Sonali Khanna, Executive Director and Branch Head, Lowe Lintas South said, “Pongal is a festival that the people of Tamil Nadu hold very close to their hearts, resulting in a joyous tapestry of celebratory sights and sounds. What’s striking is that many of the authentic sounds of Pongal are expressed as triplets. This is exactly the same aural mnemonic we have used to bring our product USP to life: the ‘Shik Shik Shik’ of the packet representing the Tata Coffee Grand crystals. The wonderful interplay of musical triplets, the rich festive hues, and the catchy sound of the pack, all come together seamlessly. To create a film that is as aurally arresting as it is visually resplendent.”
source: http://www.covaipost.com / The Covai Post / Home / by Covai Post Network / January 14th, 2022
Officials directed to secure clearances to expedite the project
Pratap Simha, MP, G.T.Deve Gowda, MLA, and officials from various departments reviewing the issues related to Mysuru-Madikeri highway project, on Saturday. | Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM
A review meeting to identify major hurdles in expediting the greenfield highway to Madikeri branching off from Paschimavahini near Srirangapatna, was held here on Saturday
The greenfield project – which is parallel to the existing highway from Mysuru to Kushalnagar – is being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at a cost of nearly ₹3,823 crore and has a new alignment bypassing major towns.
The review meeting was attended by Mysuru MP Pratap Simha, Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Deve Gowda and others and Mr. Simha said that the lessons learnt in the ongoing works of Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway have come inhandy to avoid certain pitfalls.
He said even if the tenders for the project are awarded, the works cannot commence until 80 per cent of the land acquisition process is complete. Though the acquisition process was underway and compensation was also being disbursed, there were certain permits and clearances required from different agencies besides shifting of civic amenities that lie in the alignment of the proposed highway. The issue of paying compensation to land awarded as grants to Scheduled Tribes, also needs to be settled.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru Bagadi Goutham and revenue officials from Mysuru, Hunsur and Periyapatana taluks, Deputy Directors of Land Records etc. Mr. Goutham instructed the officials to obtain the clearance from CESC, Irrigation Department, Forest Department, KPTCL etc., and comply with the requirements for the highway construction within a month.
The telephone and power poles have to be shifted while suitable compensation has to be fixed for land acquired from farmers. High tension wire which criss-cross the highway alignment have to be shifted for which both CESC and KPTCL has to be brought into the loop, said Mr. Simha.
‘’The clearances from various departments have to be obtained within a month and such review meetings will take place periodically to assess the progress’’, he added.
The project has been divided into three packages and under the first package, the road starts at Madikeri from General Thimmaiah Circle and ends at the beginning of the Kushalnagar bypass after Anekadu forest. The total length of this package is 22.70 km.
The second package commences from Guddeshosur after Anekadu forest and ends at the junction of State Highway 86 Ramanathapura-Terkanambhi Road. The total length of the second package is 45.4 km.
The third package starts at Ramanathapura-Terakanambi Road Junction and ends near Paschimavahini and the total length of the package is 46.935 km. It bypasses Hunsur, Bilikere, Elavala and Mysuru before ending at Paschimavahini.
The project envisages the new highway to be linked with the ongoing Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway near Srirangapatna and will provide a four-lane connectivity to Madikeri. Cities and towns including Mysuru, Hunsur, Periyapatna, Kushalnagar and Suntikoppa will be bypassed and will reduce the traveling time from Bengaluru to Madikeri besides providing for greater safety as the tolled road will be four-laned with paved shoulder and divider, according to NHAI.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – January 29th, 2022
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