The Kodagu district administration on Friday conducted a meeting to develop Raja Seat, which is a popular tourist attraction in Madikeri.
Deputy Commissioner B.C.Satish instructed the officials to prepare a blueprint to develop the existing place into a ‘Greater’ Raja Seat.
He directed the Horticulture Department to take up the repair of the musical fountain which is defunct, on a priority basis. Similar instructions were issued to restore the functioning of the toy train.
The Coorg Village which has already been inaugurted, should start functioning immediately, said the Deputy Commissioner while the offiicals suggested the installation of a high mast lamp in the vicinity.
It was also decided to organise a Coffee Mela to coincide with Christmas when the town and the district is visited by hordes of tourists, apart from conducting cultural programmes during holidays.
Incidentally, the previous round of development works carried out by the authorities had come under flak from conservationists on the grounds that the place was being concretised and its beauty being eroded.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 26th, 2021
Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal at a review meeting in Madikeri on Wednesday.
Observing that the crop survey is being hit by an inordinate delay in the district, Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal instructed the officials concerned to speed up the process.
Reviewing the progress of the crops survey, during a meeting held at her office on Wednesday, she said that crops in 2.62 lakh survey numbers should have been completed in the district by now.
However, crops in only 1,762 survey numbers have been covered, she said and requested the cooperative banks, coffee board and other organisations related to agriculture and horticulture to cooperate with the department in carrying out the survey.
Cooperative Societies deputy registrar B K Salim said that there are 73 primary agricultural cooperative societies in the district and they will join hands in the crop survey.
Agriculture department technical officer Narayana Reddy said that the farmers can carry out the crop survey themselves, by downloading the crop survey application on their mobile phones.
Charulata Somal also asked the officials to ensure the supply of fertilisers in the district in adequate quantity.
Agriculture department deputy director Shabana M Sheikh said that 32,082 metric tonnes of fertiliser have been supplied to the district.
Coffee Board deputy director Shivakumaraswamy, District Lead Bank manager R K Balachandra, horticulture department deputy director H Shashidhar were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / August 26th, 2021
The paddy sheaves were cut by the CNC members during Huthari celebrations at the paddy field belonging to Nandineravanda Uthappa, in Chikkabettageri.
The Codava National Council (CNC), led by its president N U Nachappa, celebrated Huthari or Puthari — the harvest festival of Kodagu, at a paddy field of Nandineravanda Uthappa, in Chikkabettageri village, near Kushalnagar, on Friday.
Wearing traditional Kodava attire, the members participated in the celebrations by cutting paddy sheaves. Later, they offered prayers for the prevalence of peace and to eradicate Covid-19 from the world.
The members offered prayers to the gods and initiated the process of Huthari celebrations by ‘Nere Kattuva’ ritual using the leaves of Arali, mango, jackfruit, Kumbali and cashew nut trees.
After the rituals, the members took out a procession to the paddy field, accompanied by the ‘Dudikottpat’. After firing thrice in the air, Nachappa offered puja rituals and cut paddy sheaves.
Later, the paddy sheaves were brought back to the house and puja rituals were conducted.
CNC members presented ‘Kolata’, ‘Pareyakali’ and other cultural programmes.
Later, they also danced to the traditional beats and relished rice payasa, ‘Thambittu,’ ‘Kadubu,’ ‘pandi curry,’ ‘chicken curry’ and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Nachappa urged the government to declare a national holiday for the Puthari festival.
The Kodavas should be considered as a separate race to save the Kodava tribal culture for the future generation. Kodava language should be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, he said.
“Kodava culture has all the qualifications to be included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Unesco. By showcasing our rituals, we can assert our rights,” he added.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Kushalnagar / November 19th, 2021
The Management of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, has decided to celebrate Puthari Namme (harvest festival) on Nov.20 in the premises of Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar I Stage. Earlier it had been decided to celebrate the festival in the premises of Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempunagar.
Now due to incessant rains since a week and also keeping in mind the forecast of rains for 4 more days, the Samaja has decided to change the venue. The celebrations will commence at 5 pm at the Samaja premises. All traditional Kodava dances will be performed on the occasion by both the men’s and women’s teams.
Arrangements have been made to distribute Kadh (new paddy crop) on that day. All the members are requested to note the change of venue and cooperate in the celebrations, according to a press release from Malachira M. Ponnappa, Honorary Secretary, Kodava Samaja.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs /November 19th, 2021
Dr. S.V. Narasimhan, a family physician based at Virajpet in Kodagu, is an avid birder, nature lover, adept at computers, Karnatak music and astronomy.
Author of Feathered Jewels of Coorg, a field-guide to 310 species of birds found in Coorg, Dr. Narasimhan is the pioneer in spreading wildlife conservation messages through his unique hand-painted Wildlife Message Cards that are sent free to individuals throughout the world to mark Wildlife Week (Oct. 2 to 8).
Total number of hand-painted cards made by him this year is 2,630; in 37 years, 75,285 cards.
Total recipients this year including Star of Mysore – 1,284; in 37 years — 13,387 persons.
The Special Wildlife Messenger this year is Rufous Woodpecker (Micropternus brachyurus) which is a medium sized, brown coloured bird, with short beak and a short strong tail. Male birds have a red patch under the eyes. They feed on insects, ants and flower nectar. Their call is a sharp nasal, three-note, Knk-Knk-Knk. The most surprising fact is that they make their nest within the carton nests of Crematogaster ants and the young also feed on the eggs and larvae of the ants!
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 11th, 2021
The joint study found bird species richness to be higher in shade coffee plantations that had 78 species than in open coffee plantations that had 55 species
‘Alteration of canopy, woody plant composition can influence pattern of functional composition of resident birds’
Verdant coffee and tea plantations are more than an ideal backdrop for photos; they support a thriving avian population. In a study that underscores the need to understand the patterns and drivers of bird species composition and diversity outside Protected Area (PA) networks to develop landscape-level conservation strategies, researchers found that they varied in differently-managed plantations.
The findings were the result of collaborative work by Kannur University, Kerala, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, and Ferns Nature Conservation Society, Wayanad. It was published in July 2021.
Focussing on the coffee plantations in the Western Ghats, which are an important agro-ecosystem and help maintain a significant portion of regional avian diversity, the researchers compared the composition and functional diversity of resident birds between shade and open coffee plantations.
They counted 3,846 birds of 87 species, and found species richness to be higher in shade (78 species) than in open coffee plantations (55 species). “Interestingly, 32 species were unique to shade and nine were unique to open coffee plantations, with 46 species found in both types of plantation. Species richness and abundance were higher in shade coffee,” the study says, adding that the results reveal that different farm management practices can affect functional bird richness and its abundance in coffee plantations. They have made a case for retaining shade-trees of native varieties in coffee plantations to support high functional diversity, richness, and abundance of birds in the coffee plantation of the Western Ghats.
The study, ‘Resident birds show different patterns in species composition and functional diversity in differently managed coffee plantations in the Western Ghats, India’, was published by the Ornithological Science journal in July 2021.
Speaking to The Hindu, Santhanakrishnan Babu, one of the authors, said the study was conducted between May and August, 2016, in the northern part of Wayanad district. “Wayanad is a major coffee producer, producing 90% of the Kerala’s coffee. Our study aimed to understand how resident birds respond to differently-managed coffee plantations – shade and open,” he said.
The Kerala government recently passed an order to chop all resident trees on private land except sandalwood. This will lead to extensive chopping of resident trees from the coffee plantations which will affect biodiversity, he added.
Another author Athira S. Variar and Mr. Babu said retaining shade trees of native varieties in coffee plantations is important for supporting high functional diversity, richness, and abundance of birds. “Shade plantations support several habitat specialists and range-restricted birds, and alteration of the canopy and woody plant composition can influence the pattern of the functional composition of resident birds. Since our study covered only one season, year-round study in these plantations may shed more light on the composition of resident, breeding and migratory bird species,” they said.
Conservation strategies
They have called for landscape-level conservation strategies. Author Anoop N.R. pointed out that the Forest Department has little authority over the plantations located outside forest areas, and trees in these plantations are increasingly being replaced with exotic trees such as Grevillea robusta. “To promote the protection of large native trees in coffee plantations, we recommend initiating programmes to provide financial incentives to private landowners. Education programmes will also help to improve community support for retaining texisting indigenous tree varieties and promote planting more of the same,” he recommended, adding that a framework needs to be developed with regard to which species can be planted and which must be maintained, or removed, from the plantations.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by K C Deepika / Bengaluru, October 04th, 2021
Chamber of Commerce president M B Devaiah speaks during a discussion on the pros and cons of tourism in the district, held at Kodagu Press Club, Madikeri, on Tuesday.
Various stakeholders in the tourism sector gave their suggestions towards developing sustainable and eco-friendly tourism in Kodagu, during a discussion on the pros and cons of tourism in the district, held at Kodagu Press Club, Madikeri, on Tuesday.
Chamber of Commerce president M B Devaiah said that it is the foremost duty of the people of Kodagu to preserve the environment of the district. Businesses can be carried out while maintaining ethics. Money is not everything.
“Nature-friendly industries should be set up in the district to provide jobs for people,” he added.
Pravasodyama Avalambitara Okkoota president K K Manjunath Kumar said that tourism contributes immensely to the development of a country.
Tourism in Kodagu has been generating good revenue, he said and pointed out that the countries which are backward in tourism are backward in development as well.
Resort and Hotel Owners’ Association president Nagendra Prasad said that there has been a significant rise in investment in the tourism sector in the district after the market for coffee fell. There are 1.50 lakh people in the district who are depending on tourism activities for their livelihood.
Kodagu Press Club president Ajjamada Ramesh Kuttappa in his introductory remarks, said, “Every citizen of the nation has a right to carry out legal work in any part of the country to make a living. No restrictions can be imposed on him or her in carrying out a job. A forum has been formed to discuss the problems of people working in the tourism sector and to find possible solutions.
Hotel, Lodges and Restaurants’ Association advisor Chidvilas said that coffee growers switched to homestay and hotel industry after they suffered losses in the coffee industry. He also advised imposing a total ban on plastic at tourist destinations in the district.
Kodagu Samrakshana Vedike convener Chammatira Pravin Uttappa said that there is a need to curb illegal activities which are carried out in the name of tourism.
“Insulting the traditional Kodava attire in some resorts should stop immediately. Tourism activities should stop during the Cauvery fair,” he added.
District Working Journalists’ Association president Savitha Rai, writer Bharadwaj K Anandateertha, Kodagu Hitarakshana Samiti president Rajiv Bopaiah, Travel Association president Cheyyanda Satya Ganapathy, Kodagu Tourism Association president Madetira Timmaiah and others were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / b y DHNS, Madikeri / October 05th, 2021
Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah inaugurated the outpost and new welcome arch of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, built at a cost of Rs 9 lakh, on the occasion of the 67th Wildlife Week on Sunday.
He said that the security has been upgraded with the new facility, so as to prevent the trespassing of people into the reserve forest. CCTV cameras have also been installed at the entrance.
Bopaiah also directed the forest department officials to take necessary measures to provide accessibility to fodder and water for elephants, bison and other herbivorous animals.
Saplings that provide fodder for such animals should be planted inside the forest area, he said.
“This will prevent the wild animals sneaking into human habitations, in search of food. Steps should also be taken to prevent the harm caused to the agriculturists living near the forests,” he added.
The MLA also inaugurated two safari tempo taxis for the benefit of visitors at Nagarahole. He also went on a safari in the new vehicle.
State Western Ghats Task Force chairman Shantheyanda Ravi Kushalappa, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve director D Mahesh Kumar, Nagarahole wildlife sub division ACF K P Gopal, Hunsur forest division ACF Satish and others were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Gonikoppa / October 03rd, 2021
Dr. D.C. Nanjunda, Associate Professor at the Centre for Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, University of Mysore, has been awarded Karnataka KodavaSahitya Academy’s Research Fellowship for the year 2021-22.
Today man-animal conflict has become a major issue in Kodagu district, claiming the lives of both humans and animals. In addition, wild animals are destroying crops of marginalised farmers.
Keeping this in mind, the Karnataka KodavaSahitya Academy has awarded the Fellowship to Dr.Nanjunda to study the “Man-wildlife Conflict.
Dr.Nanjunda is a recipient of eight Research Fellowships including ICMR (2008), ICSSR (2013), DHA (2014), Karnataka Balavikasa Academy Research Fellowship (2014), Karnataka SahityaAkademi Travel Fellowship (2016). He is a noted columnist also.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / September 24th, 2021
Several waterfalls in Suntikoppa hobli have been attracting people and tourists with their natural splendour.
Some of these waterfalls in Suntikoppa are located inside plantations.
As the region has witnessed intermittent rainfall from the past week, many waterfalls have regained their natural beauty.
The sound of the water flowing down the hills has been beckoning the tourists.
Haleri Falls is situated at a distance of 2 km from Boyikeri. The sound of the flowing water can be heard till 2 km.
‘D’ Block Falls in Kedakal Gram Panchayat limits near Suntikoppa, is one of the most attractive falls. The waterfalls cascade amidst the greens, providing a feast for the eyes.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Suntikoppa / August 24th, 2021
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