Category Archives: Green Initiatives / Environment

Project On To Remove Silt From Cauvery River In Kushalnagar

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Uncategorized

Kushalnagar01KF12may2020

Kushalnagar:

Ground-breaking ceremony for a mega Rs. 89-lakh project to remove silt from River Cauvery in the Kushalnagar belt to prevent flooding of the town was performed this morning. Madikeri MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan performed the ceremony in the presence of Kodlipet’s Kirkodli Mutt Seer Sadashiva Swamiji.

The Kodagu District Administration had agreed for the project based on the request by Kushalnagar Cauvery Pravaha Santhrasthara Vedike (Forum for flood affected) and funds were released accordingly by the State Government.

Previous two years, there was unprecedented flooding in Kushalnagar and most of the areas inside the town were under water for weeks together. Kodagu received the highest-ever rainfall for August 2018 surpassing an 87-year-old record. Last year too, the district received high rainfall and as a result, rivers were in full spate.

Kushalnagar02KF12may2020

Last year, for the first time, the 400-year-old bridge near Kushalnagar-Koppa border (next to the newly-constructed bridge) submerged on Aug. 10. This rain, coupled with huge water release from Harangi Dam, brought untold miseries to the people of Kushalnagar.

This year, the silt is being removed to prevent flooding like in the previous years. An area of 300-metre length and 100-metre width has been identified in the surroundings of Rasool Layout, Muthappa Swamy Temple and Ayyappa Swamy Temple.

The mud-and-sand combined silt is being removed by earth movers and the excavated earth will be dumped on the river side. Also, channels will be built so that rainwater that floods Kushalnagar town can smoothly enter the river. PR Constructions has been given the contract of silt removal.

Silt removal from Harangi Dam

MLA Appachu Ranjan told ‘Star of Mysore’ today that a proposal to lift over one tmcft (one thousand million cubic feet) of silt that has accumulated at Harangi Dam is pending with the State Government.

Harangi is the main Cauvery water supply reservoir from the catchment areas to Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam in Mandya, the lifeline of South Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Due to heavy silt deposit, enough water cannot be stored, leading to annual water shortage. Therefore, it has been recommended to the Government to take measures to remove silt so that more water can be stored, he said.

The Karnataka Engineers Research Station (KERS) at KRS Dam in Mandya and Geo Marine Solutions Pvt. Ltd. had studied the silt deposits and accepting its recommendations, the State Government had released Rs. 75 crore to remove silt. “We have requested the Government to release Rs. 130 crore and the proposal is yet to be accepted as the Government is busy in COVID-19 battle,” the MLA said.

River course correction

Due to major landslides, many rivers and tributaries have changed its course. Last year, the inflow from River Cauvery was more than Harangi River. Every year, Harangi River reports highest inflow to the Harangi Dam and last year’s phenomenon was unique. While Harangi River originates in the Pushpagiri Hills, Cauvery takes birth in Talacauvery and flows through Bhagamandala, Kushalnagar and Koodige. Both the rivers meet at Koodumangaluru and flow into KRS Dam.

“Last year, Harangi River reported an inflow of 30,000 to 35,000 cusecs while Cauvery River reported an inflow of 80,000 to 85,000 cusecs. This is because the rivers have changed course and have accumulated huge silt due to landslides of 2018. We need money for river course correction and silt removal and that’s why we have asked for Rs. 130 crore,” Appachu Ranjan said.

Dy.SP Shylendra, Kushalnagar Panchayat CEO Sujay Kumar, Kushalnagar Cauvery Pravaha Santhrasthara Vedike President Chandra Mohan, members Uday Kumar, M.M. Charan, Varadha and Kodagana Harsha were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 11th, 2020

COVID-19: Karnataka coffee growers demand special package

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Pepper, Records, All
Members of Kodagu district Growers' Federation submit a memorandum to MLA Appachu Ranjan. DH Photo
Members of Kodagu district Growers’ Federation submit a memorandum to MLA Appachu Ranjan. DH Photo

Coffee growers in the district have demanded special package from state government, as planters are facing hardships in the wake of Covid-19 lockdown.

Members of the planters’ association have submitted a memorandum to the MLAs of the district in this regard and have urged chief minister to come to their rescue.

Kodagu district is affected by floods for past two years and the lockdown has worsened the situation, they said and pointed out that harvesting of coffee and pepper in most of the plantations had come to a standstill, resulting in the loss of crops.

It is feared that next year’s yield too will be lost as the growers are finding it difficult to maintain of their plantations.

The growers urged the government to provide special package for the coffee growers.

Vegetable and plantain cultivators too sought assistance from the government, stating that most of the cultivators in the district have been dependent on Kerala market. But, due to the lockdown, the fruits are getting rotten and has led to a huge loss.

The government should announce support price and should procure ‘Nendra’ banana and other fruits from the farmers, the growers said and also requested the government to waive the interest on the loans availed by them.

“A committee of elected representatives should be formed towards formulating plans to encourage farmers to take up cultivation in barren lands,” the memorandum stated.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / May 08th, 2020

Catch Of The Day! 38-Kg Fish Caught From Harangi Backwaters

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

FishKF06may2020

Kushalnagar:

A group of youths who were fishing at Harangi backwaters in Kodagu District this morning were in for a pleasant surprise as they caught a giant fish that weighed 38 kgs. The fish was caught with the traditional method of fishing rod and angler.

The fish, Catla variety, was caught at Nakoor village along the Harangi backwaters by Preveesh, who then uploaded the same on his Facebook page. He said that though he was hoping for a good catch he did not expect this big a catch. Earlier too he had caught giant Catlas but this particular fish was his biggest catch. Today’s fish was sold at the local market.

Due to lockdown and lack of activities, there is a lot of fishing going on in the Harangi backwaters where youths come in many groups to fish. Typically, the fishing activity starts early in the morning and ends at around 11 pm. Local villagers from Nakoor, Shirangala, Suntikoppa, Hosathota, Kusboor and Madapura come to the backwaters to fish on the 5.6 km Harangi River stretch from the Harangi Dam to Koodige Bridge.

Traditional fishing is being held from many years in the backwaters of Harangi, which spreads over 1,886 hectares in area. Lakhs of fingerlings are released into the reservoir every year.

Some innovative villagers have even dug up irrigation ponds in the backwaters to supply water in summer to their fields. When the water storage is high at the Harangi Reservoir, these irrigation ponds get filled and submerge and when the water at the dam recedes, these ponds are full of water and fish.

Varieties of fish, including Mahseer, Catla and Rohu are released to Harangi every year and along with these, fingerlings procured from Kabini and Bhadra reservoirs are being provided to farmers at subsidised costs. Many families in this belt depend on fishing for their livelihood.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News . April 29th, 2020

DCF of Madikeri division passes away

Agriculture, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, World Opinion
T P Shivaiah
T P Shivaiah

T P Shivaiah, who was serving as Deputy Conservator of Forests of Madikeri Wildlife Division, passed away on Friday. He was 59.

He had suffered a heart attack on April 19 and was admitted to a hospital in Mysuru. However, he did not respond to the treatment and breathed his last on Friday morning.

The final rites were performed with state honours at his native place in Bidalli village in Somvarpet taluk on Friday evening.

Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, CCF Hirelal, DCF Prabhakaran, Nagarahole DCF Mahesh Kumar, Virajpet DCF Shivashankar and other paid their respects to the departed soul.

Shivaiah is survived by wife, a son and a daughter. Both of his children could not take part in the last rites as son is based in USA and daughter in Australia.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Somwarpet / April 24th, 2020

Kodagu’s efforts to combat COVID-19 come in for praise

Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy and SP Suman D. Pennekar at a containment area in Kodagu for checking the spread of COVID-19. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy and SP Suman D. Pennekar at a containment area in Kodagu for checking the spread of COVID-19. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Kodagu had reported its first and only case on March 19 and thereafter zero cases till date; Union Health Ministry quotes containment efforts

Kodagu’s efforts to contain the spread of novel Coronavirus have been admired nationally since it is one among two districts in the entire country where no new COVID-19 case had surfaced for 28 continuous days even as cases had been soaring in other States, including in many parts of Karnataka as well.

The first case in Kodagu was reported on March 19 and there had been zero cases subsequently. Besides Kodagu, Mahe in Puducherry had also reported nil cases since over four weeks.

Joint Secretary (Health) Luv Agarwal, while citing Kodagu’s COVID-19 combat efforts during his media briefing, lauded the containment efforts and felt that such results can also be expected in other districts if such efforts were replicated.

The Centre’s appreciation has boosted the morale of Kodagu district administration, which, under the direction of Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, got into a “battle mode” almost a month before the first case was reported and when the virus was causing havoc in neighbouring China and spreading fast in Europe.

How did the district administration fight COVID-19?

The biggest challenge before it was the surveillance on the border with Kerala, which had a spike in cases, particularly from Kasaragod and Kannur areas. The health authorities started screening the people entering Kodagu from Kerala and later sealed some key border check-posts after the cases soared in the neighbouring State.

Sources in the Health Department told The Hindu that awareness programmes on COVID-19 that took off in February and surveillance on the borders helped the administration to confidently combat the disease.

Another reason for containing the spread of the contagion was the quick tracing of primary and secondary contacts of the first positive case (Kondangeri village) and the lockdown in 3-km radius of village to which the patient belonged to and its buffer area.

“None of the residents were allowed to step out of their village. All essentials were supplied to them by the district administration. After the two-week quarantine, they were under observation for any symptoms. Such containment efforts with round-the-clock monitoring with police patrol helped us to a large extent,” says Kodagu District Health Officer K. Mohan.

Also, the administration’s launch of e-commerce portal under #KodaguFightsCorona for delivering essential goods to the people’s doorsteps (to stop them from moving around) and the strict enforcement of the lockdown while easing the curbs three days a week for procuring essential supplies, and surveillance of fever cases on the district borders are the other efforts which could have worked in Kodagu’s favour.

The efforts of the district police, led by Superintendent of Police Suman D. Pennekar, in reaching out the ration and other essentials to the poor and migrant workers also helped to keep them indoors.

Also, 15 attendees of Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin were identified and all of them were placed in hospital quarantine. They are now in 15-day home quarantine.

Around 400 medical teams are on the look-out for fever cases with door-to-door surveillance and reporting the suspected cases to the isolation ward.

With cases soaring in Mysuru, the administration, as a preventive measure, has decided to screen those transporting vegetables, fruits and other essentials in trucks from Mysuru to Kodagu from Monday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Shankar Bennur / Mysuru – April 20th, 2020

CNC Celebrates Edmyar-1 Kodava New Year Day By Ploughing Paddy Fields

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Edmyar01KF15apr2020

Madikeri:

Codava National Council (CNC), which is aspiring for Codavaland Geo-Political Autonomy and ST tag for Kodava tribalism, celebrated its 26th Annual Codava (Kodava) New Year Day Edmyar-1 as per Kodava tribal almanac by ritualistic ploughing of paddy fields.

CNC President N. U. Nachappa offered prayers to Guru-Karonas at Koopadira clan and reverential prayers to Mother Earth, Sun, Moon before two bullocks named Karianna – Kulla, ploughed a few rounds in the wetlands of Koopadira clan.

To herald the unbreakable bondage of Kodava tribal world with mother soil to entire universe, CNC is determined to showcase and display the age-old folkloric cultural traits and genus of Kodava tribal ancestry. In other words, all these ancient festivities enriched the civilisation of Kodava martial tribe.

Edmyar02KF15apr2020

CNC also prayed for the well-being of all the people of this world that is reeling under the pandemic COVID-19. Koopadira Sabu, Koopadira Mohan Muthanna, Lt. Col. Parvathi, Kompulira Myna Purandara and Koopadira Pranam participated in the celebrations.

Due to Corona pandemic, CNC’s Annual Edmyar-1 evening’s torchlight (pombolak) procession at Gonikoppal, is not being celebrated today. Speaking on the occasion, Nachappa said, “All Codava folkloric festivities and rituals mirror the agro-pastoral commitment, hunting skills and warrior hood of Codava tribal folk from time immemorial which depicts that we are above the tenets of caste and religion who are living in the rustic hills, mountainous terrain in the midst of rivers and rivulets.”

Edmyar03KF15apr2020

“We are happy that the Founding Father of the Constitution of India, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s birthday coincides with Codava New Year. We are ever grateful to Dr. Ambedkar for his yeomen contribution of accommodating space for expressing grievances of micro-minority tribes like Codava tribe,” he observed.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Covid News / April 14th, 2020

Activists urge to retain 3 GPs in Somwarpet

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Records, All
Office-bearers of Somwarpet Taluk Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti submit a memorandumto Deputy Commissioner Annies Kamani Joy.
Office-bearers of Somwarpet Taluk Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti submit a memorandumto Deputy Commissioner Annies Kamani Joy.

Office-bearers of Somwarpet Taluk Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy urging to retain Madapura, Garvale and Haraduru Gram Panchayats in Somwarpet taluk.

The members expressed their discomfort on the omitting of three Gram Panchayats from Somwarpet in the map prepared by the revenue department.

Somwarpet Taluk Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti president M B Abhimanyukumar said that the process is on carve out Kushalnagar taluk from Somwarpet taluk.

Earlier, it was decided to declare the region comprising Garvale, Madapura and Haraduru as Madapur hobli. But, as it was concluded that a new hobli will not be formed, it has now been decided that the three Gram Panchayats will be retained with Suntikoppa hobli. However, the GPs will be part of Kushalnagar taluk according to the recent decision, which is not correct, the activists said.

This will create a huge inconvenience to the people from these three villages, in terms of trade and government works.

Somwarpet Taluk Abhivruddhi Horata Samiti general convener S Mahesh said that Garvale, Madapura and Haraduru panchayats should be clubbed into a separate hobli and should be called as Madapur hobli.

ZP vice president Lokeshwari Gopal, association general secretary K N Deepak, vice president B B Satish, treasurer Muralidhar, office bearers Bharat Kumar and Kavitha Viroopaksha were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / March 03rd, 2020

Coorg Wildlife Society Hon. Treasurer Resigns

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature

CoorgWildlifeSocietyK25mar2020

Madikeri:

Coorg Wildlife Society (CWS) Hon. Treasurer C.S. Poovaiah, has tendered his resignation from the post over violations of the Society bylaws by certain individuals in CWS.

In his letter to the President of CWS dated Feb. 18, 2020, Poovaiah has stated, “It is with anguish and a heavy heart I am writing this letter to you. As per the bylaw, the Secretary is responsible for administration and approving the bills of CWS and hence prudently has not authorised him to sign cheques on behalf of CWS to avoid conflict of interest. The bylaw authorises only the President or the Executive Vice-President and Hon. Treasurer to sign cheques (the signature of the Treasurer is mandatory) to prevent any financial fraud.”

Continuing, he has stated that the malafide approval given at the AGM to pay Rs. 90,000 to Col. C.P. Muthanna, former CWS President, towards his lawyer’s fees for his personal Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the High Court much against the written disapproval of such payments by the auditors shows favouritism and cronyism.

Poovaiah said that the urgency in which the cheque for Rs. 90,000 was given to Col. Muthanna within a few hours after the AGM, without preparing the minutes of the AGM and without consulting the Treasurer and without obtaining the signature of the Treasurer, is a gross violation of all financial norms and the bylaws of CWS.

Pointing out that his complaint was treated very casually, Poovaiah has stated that CWS is being run as per the whims and fancies of a few individuals in CWS.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 04th, 2020

Crops Grown In 86,000 Hectares Washed Away In Kodagu Floods

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

FloodsKF19mar2020

Madikeri:

The Kodagu district which was devastated by last year’s floods, lost crops grown in over 86,000 hectares due to the floods.

Replying to a question by Madikeri MLA Appachhu Ranjan in the Legislative assembly recently, Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil said that agriculture crops grown in 2,460 hectares, horticulture crops grown in 10,331 hectares and coffee grown in 73,774 hectares across Kodagu district were washed away in last year’s floods, that caused havoc in the entire district.

Maintaining that crop loss compensation has been directly credited to the bank accounts of the affected farmers through a software specially developed for the purpose, Patil said that compensation has been paid in accordance with the guidelines for crop relief.

Pointing out that farmers have been paid Rs.10,000 per hectare in addition to the input subsidy, over and above the guidance value notified by the Union Government under SDRF/NDRF guidelines, Patil said that the additional cost has been borne by the State.

Pointing out that farmers have been paid input subsidy of Rs.16,800 for rain-fed crops and Rs. 23,500 for irrigated crops, Patil said the total amount paid to farmers as input subsidy stands at Rs.10,093.38 lakh and a total of 38,900 farmers in Kodagu have been benefited.

Replying to another question, the Minister clarified that the Agriculture Department itself was not directly purchasing agricultural equipment from dealers and agencies, but was only providing subsidy to the equipment purchased by farmers as a measure to encourage farm mechanisation.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 18th, 2020

Two Day Kisan Mela Conducted at KVK, Gonikoppal, Kodagu ( Athur Farm )

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

KisanMelaKF18mar2020

A two day district kisan mela and Krishi Abhiyana programme was held at Athur farm of KVK Gonikoppal from 11th to 12 March, 2020. An array of farmers friendly technologies were on display in the Krishi Mela organized in collaboration with the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). Dr. Shankara Hebbar, Principal Scientist, IIHR Bangalore gave a brief introduction about vegetable cultivation and polyhouses. Later Joint Director of Agriculture, Kodagu Dr. K Raju said that the programme was to create awareness among district farmers about latest agricultural technologies and schemes. Dr. Saju George, Head, KVK spoke on the different demonstrations units in the KVK Demonstration farm.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri. B A Harish, President, Zilla Panchayath, Kodagu.The Chief Guest Smt. Sarojamma, Zilla Panchayath Member , inaugurated the Exhibition stalls. Dr. C. G. Kushalappa, Dean, College of Forestry, Ponnampet also addressed the inaugural session. Dr. M R Dinesh, Director, IIHR, Bangalore, in his presidential address highlighted different farmer friendly technologies of horticultural crops, machineries, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, micro nutrient formulation, incubation facilities for entrepreneurship available through ICAR-IIHR, which can be extended to the Kodagu district farmers through the KVK Gonikoppal. He said that there is lot of potential in the district for the adoption of horticultural technologies and thereby increasing increasing farmers income.

During the inaugural session , Shri M.M Aiyyappa, a farmer from Virapet was felicitated for brining the AMC technology to Kodagu through KVK. Shri Kishor Nachappa the farm journalist was felicitated for his role in promoting farm technologies through farm journalism. Smt Suja, was felicitated for her success in mushroom cultivation after undergoing training at KVK through ASCI sponsored skill development training programme. The Agriculture department felicitated the Kodagu district farmers for their achievements.

In the technical session, Dr. Shivaprasad, Deputy Director, gave a talk on the importance of soil testing and INM practices in coffee. Mr. Devaiah, K. A. Subject Matter Specialist spoke on the trellies method of black pepper multiplication. Sri. Thimmiah, S. C. Krishi Pandit, spoke on his experiences of mechanization in paddy for better realization of yield.In the second day technical session, Dr. S. J. Ankegowda, Principal Scientist & Head, Regional Station, IISR, Appangala gave a talk on holistic management of black pepper in the coffee based farming system. Dr. A. S. Shanthesh, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Sciences, Virajpet taluk spoke on the importance of livestock for milk, meat and manure in the mixed farming system. Dr. S.C. Suresh, Subject Matter Specialist (Livestock) spoke on scientific piggery farming. Smt. Veena Sudheer, awardee farmer shared her experience of integrated farming system. Mr. K P Subbaiah, President, Puthari Farmers Producers Organization spoke on recent developments in marketing of coffee and initiatives of Puthari FPO.

In the Valedictory session, Mr. Srinivas, P. V., DDM, NABARD, Kodagu spoke on the different NABARD schemes for farmers, rural institutions. Mr. Vijay Angadi, Programme Officer, All India Radio, Madikeri spoke on the relevancy of this type programme and he opined that in coming programmes a separate session can be conducted on organic farming. Farmers were also taken to different demonstration plots in KVK Viz. vegetable demonstration plot where different varieties (Chilli- Arka Meghana & Kyathi, Brinjal -Arka Keshav, Pole bean- Arka Sukomal, yard long bean- Arka Mangala, cowpea- Arka Suman, Dolichos- Arka Adarsh were raised in one acre with raised bed, polyethene mulch with fertigation, different livestock units –piggery, Goatary, Diary, Poultry, Fodder crops, Propagation unit of Black pepper, arecanut, coffee, Solar irrigation unit, farm machineries unit etc. during the occasion.

More than 20 exhibition stalls were arranged for the benefit of the farmers on the occasion involving the government, private and FPOs. More than 750 farmers witnessed the event in two days and interacted with the scientists, specialists and officials. Overall the participating farmers appreciated the efforts and felt that such melas give the farmers the technological guidance for increasing the farmers income in a sustainable manner.

source: http://www.iihr.res.in / ICAR – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research / Home / March 2020