Category Archives: Green Initiatives / Environment

Kodagu Flood: Helpline Numbers For Madikeri

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Volunteers segregate relief material to be sent to Kodagu area at Kodava Samaj, in Bengaluru
Volunteers segregate relief material to be sent to Kodagu area at Kodava Samaj, in Bengaluru

I am Jagath Kalamanda, from virajpet Nisarga layout,I have a service apartment and i can accommodate 50 to 100people—-I am ready to help flood effected people —-if u know such people, who need help ,can contact me 9482769320—08274255214–08274256214—K K Groups of residency

Chandru: 9663725200

Dhanjay: 9449731238

Mahesh: 9480731020

Helicopter helpline number for madikeri. Dear friends for some of the senior citizens those who have no shelter due to the floods can be accommodated in my house at Madikeri.

Anita joshi: 9448647223

I am D devaraj from mysore, I have a resort in kodagu I am ready to help the flood effected people in kodagu so if u have such people who need help please contact me

My adress : dubare road nanjarayapatna, dubare view valley resort

Contact number: 9972963627

I am Dechakka, from ammathi kavadi, I have a home stay and can accommodate 20ppl and more, I am ready to help flood effected ppl… If u know such ppl, who need help, can contact me 9449359267 and 9901315408, Evergreen Estate Homestay.

This is Santhosh from Hotel Maharaja, B.M.Road. Kushalnagar, here we can accommodate 50 people who are affected from floods in and around kushalnagar, Please share my contact number 9980516161 for those who need a shelter.

Anybody stuck in coorg or need any rescue. I request you guys to give them my number. My team is operating there.

Capt Mandanna: 8197948879

I am Kuttanda sagari muthappa from ammathi karmad, I can accommodate 100people with food I am ready to help flood effected people. If u know such ppl, who need help… can contact me 9482749374,9663309611 plz forward to every group

If any relief accommodation in Coorg required for the people in need n trouble coz of rain disaster I can accommodate 20 ppl contact kodaimaniyanda sharan kuttappa cradle home 🏡 stay Napoklu ph 8762111169 or 9481149707

The above are the rescue no’s and few places in coorg where people are ready to accommodate those affected

source: http://www.english.sakshi.com / Sakshi Post / Home> National / August 21st, 2018

UAE’s Kodava community tense as landslides batter Coorg

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(PTI file)
(PTI file)

Kodavas, or Coorgis, living and working in the UAE are uniting together to send relief funds and supplies to their loved ones back home.

The Kodava community in the UAE is in a state of worry and panic as incessant rains in their hometown Coorg has destroyed their homes and infrastructure. Ravaged by rain, Coorg, the rural district in Kerala’s neighbouring state Karnataka, has suffered massive landslides.

Kodavas, or Coorgis, living and working in the UAE are uniting together to send relief funds and supplies to their loved ones back home. There are approximately a little over 250 Kodava community people living in the UAE.

Known for its coffee plantations, Coorg has very rugged terrain, making rescue operations a challenge in the district. Furthermore, according to the Kodavas in the UAE, heavy rains are not uncommon in Coorg. “What has shocked us is the landslides. This has caused massive damage to property,” said Shilpa Chinnappa, a Dubai- based marketing professional.

Her home is in a town called Kakkabe, which is 32km away from the central city of Madikeri. “Another problem Coorg is facing is poor connectivity. There is no cell phone range in a vast area across the entire district of Coorg, so it is hard to connect with people, and if they are stuck, they will not be able to communicate,” said Chinnappa. In her case, her father has been charging phone with a car battery. Residents also said that loads of construction debris and muck has settled into residential houses, and cleaning it out would be a challenge.

The community of Coorgis in the UAE are small. “We’ve been connecting with the community over social media, and several individuals have been sending cash relief.”

She added: “The main challenge is getting rescue operations to Coorg. There are no places to land helicopters.”

Given the current situation, the community has requested for drones to sight if anyone needs any help.

Nithin Chand, another Kodava and civil defence employee who has been living in the UAE for a little over three years,said: “Kaveri river is on the right-side of the road near my home. Even though there is a road that separates the home and the river, due to the back flow of water, my house has been completely flooded,” he said.

“Almost all houses in this area are covered. Agriculture and everything in the area have gone for a toss. Fortunately, my parents shifted to a friend’s place.”

He added: “We are sending supplies and cash contributions because they can use the money back home. District administration has started something called the Kodava Relief Fund, and the state government is also working to repair the damage.”

Prakash Chinnappa Choundira, a Dubai-resident since 2002, said: “Since the outbreak of the floods, Coorg has received very little media attention. Small-time vernacular press has covered our plight and the Kodava Samaj in other major cities in Karnataka are working together to help.” Those interested in sending relief funds and supplies to the Kodavas in Coorg can write to volunteers on this email: teamcoorguae@gmail.com.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> Nation> Dubai / by Dhanusha Gokulan – dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com / August 20th, 2018

Brahmagiri Kodava Assn. Moots Blood Bank

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

Brahamagiri01KF15aug2018

Urges members to join greening drive

Mysuru:

Brahmagiri Kodava Association, Vijayanagar (3rd & 4th Stages) held its Annual General Body Meeting and annual get-together function recently at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Community Hall in Kodava Samaja, Mysuru.

President of the Association, Ponnachanda Bheemaiah, addressing the members, said the objective of Brahmagiri Kodava Association should not limit itself only to the welfare of members and their family members but also aim at serving the society. He suggested them to plant a few fruit bearing saplings wherever feasible close to their houses and maintain them for a few years.

Stating that a few members of the Association urged him to create a ‘data base’ with the details of voluntary blood donors among the members in the age group of 18 to 55 years, he suggested the name as ‘Brahmagiri Blood Bank.’ He said that the aim of maintaining blood donors’ details is to locate voluntary blood donors who could immediately donate the required blood to any needy member of the Association in emergency cases.

Brahamagiri02KF15aug2018

The President of Brahmagiri Association also lauded the efforts of recently launched “Tree Lovers Club” in Vijayanagar, headed by Association member Mandetira N. Subramani (President) and Secretary of the Association Appachattolanda Bojappa (Secretary of Tree Lovers Club) for impressing upon the Forest Department in availing over 2,000 flower and fruit bearing tree saplings that were planted in Vijayanagar 3rd Stage and 4th Stage in the past one and a half month.

Those interested in joining the Club as Honorary members or to give their suggestions may send email to: tree.lovers@yahoo.com

During the get-together, various indoor games were organised for members and their family. Meritorious children of members were felicitated with cash awards to motivate them.

Kullachanda Vinutha rendered the invocation and welcomed. Treasurer of the Association Mundotira Changappa proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 14th, 2018

Instant messaging, first line of defence against moving herds

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

ForestDeptKF13aug2018

WhatsApp group launched by Forest Department staff goes a long way in reducing human deaths

Like many of us, Deputy Range Forest Officer K.M. Devaiah scans his WhatsApp messages every morning. And, they trigger him into instant action. Far from being ‘good morning’ messages, these are SOS from estate workers and owners in Ammathi range of Virajpet forest division in Kodagu district seeking his help to clear a wild herd of elephants from their terrain.

A routine act initiated among the Forest Department staff at the beat level, has become the first line of defence for people facing the brunt of conflict with elephants in the coffee plantations of Kodagu.

A WhatsApp group launched by Mr. Devaiah in 2016, with eight guards as members of the group, sharing information on elephant herds, has expanded and is now christened ‘Rapid Response Team’.

It has now become the most popular interface between the people and the department in tracking the movement of elephants in the estates around Ammathi.

“Ever since the WhatsApp group was launched, we have been on our toes following the herds wherever they are. Our very presence is an indication to the local community that the herds are not far off and they become more alert and cautious,” said Mr. Devaiah.

With almost half a dozen alerts received daily, Mr. Devaiah and his team map the areas of elephant presence and this information is passed on to all stakeholders, who take precautionary measures to stay safe.

A senior forest official said it is a small initiative that has made a big difference at the ground level by minimising human deaths. Between 2011 and 2016 there were about 8 to 10 human deaths reported every year. But in 2017, the number of human deaths was down to one or two and there have been none so far in 2018, the official added.

However, the authorities admit that in the perception of the public, the larger issue — of the presence of elephants in plantations and estates and threat posed by them — remain, and this is only a temporary reprieve.

But given the potential to reduce loss of life, the model is now being replicated across the district.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by R. Krishna Kumar / Mysuru – August 13th, 2018

NITK experts to visit Virajpet to inspect road

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All, Science & Technology
Technical experts from the Mines and Geology Department, Bengaluru, paid a visit to Virajpet on Monday and inspected the condition of Perumbadi-Makutta-Kootupole Road, which was damaged due to rains.
Technical experts from the Mines and Geology Department, Bengaluru, paid a visit to Virajpet on Monday and inspected the condition of Perumbadi-Makutta-Kootupole Road, which was damaged due to rains.

Experts from the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, along with the officials of Public Works Department will visit Virajpet on August 7, to inspect the condition of Perumbadi-Makutta-Kootupole Link Road, which was damaged due to the recent rains in the district.

The expert team will give suggestions towards the maintenance of the road and also on safeguarding the passengers plying on the road.

The concerned department will be guided by the team in preparing a scientific design for road construction.

The Karnataka government has sanctioned Rs 6 crore for the permanent maintenance of the road, which connects Kodagu with Kerala. A proposal in this regard was sent by the PWD to the government, along with the submission of an estimate.

A team of technical experts from the Mines and Geology Department, Bengaluru had recently visited the place to inspect the road. The soil from the spot has been collected as a sample for scientific tests and the report on the same is expected.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by DH News Service, Virajpet / August 06th, 2018

Chasing the Cauvery

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Side by side: The Cauvery (left) and the Kollidam at the Kambarasampettai check dam near Srirangam in Tiruchi. PHOTO: M. MOORTHY
Side by side: The Cauvery (left) and the Kollidam at the Kambarasampettai check dam near Srirangam in Tiruchi.
PHOTO: M. MOORTHY

Broad, menacing and gushing, the river has gained new life aided by a generous southwest monsoon

Originating as a small spring at Talacauvery in the Brahmagiri Hills of Kodagu district in Karnataka and through its 802-km journey before emptying into the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar on the Coromandel coast, the Cauvery evokes strong emotions, both sublime and mundane. The generous monsoon this year has infused new life into the river. All the major dams in Karnataka (Krishnaraja Sagar, Hemavathi, Kabini and Harangi) are brimming over. With the combined rate of outflow from the reservoirs being 75,000 cusecs to 1,00,000 cusecs, the Cauvery, barely visible in summer, is now a river in spate.

Among the more popular sights on its course is the Abbey Falls in Madikeri, where a few natural streams jump off the cliff and join the river downstream. The Lakshmantirtha, a bigger tributary originating from Brahmagiri, jumps down the cliffs in a series of rapid falls from a height of nearly 170 feet to form the Iruppu Falls and snakes through the Nagarahole tiger reserve before merging with the Cauvery at the Krishnaraja Sagar. Meandering and gliding along through the rough and rocky terrain, the Cauvery splits into two and forms the riverine island of Shivanasamudra and presents the breathtaking sight of the Gaganachukki and Bharachukki segmented falls, plummeting from a height of 320 feet (and almost a 1,000 feet wide) with a deafening roar before hitting the rocky gorge below releasing clouds of vapour and foam.

It is at the Hogenakkal falls that the river tumbles down, after traversing for 64 km along the inter-State boundary. The river spreads into the Mettur Dam in Salem district, the largest in Tamil Nadu with a capacity of 93.47 thousand million cubic feet. From Mettur, the river proceeds south and turns eastward.

At the Upper Anicut, or Mukkombu (which is about 15 km above Tiruchi), the Cauvery splits into two, with the southern branch retaining the original name and the other, known as Coleroon (Kollidam in Tamil), and drains into the sea near Portonovo (Parangipettai) in Cuddalore district.

Text by R. Krishnakumar and T. Ramakrishnan

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / July 29th, 2018

Marshy field sports held in Madikeri amidst rain

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Sports
Youth take part in a marshy field race in Madikeri. DH PHOTO
Youth take part in a marshy field race in Madikeri. DH PHOTO

From tiny tots to the elderly, a large number of people became a part of fun and frolic amid rain, at a marshy field in Madikeri on Sunday.

Various competitions were held at a marshy field belonging to Kukkera Palangappa in Devasturu village in Madikeri taluk, as a part of ‘Aatinaati Koodukoota’ organised by Karnataka Arebhashe Samskruthi mattu Sahitya Academy.

Men and women took part in volleyball, tug of war, throw-ball and running race. Rural games were conducted for children.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan felt the need to preserve paddy transplantation for the next generation.

“People should not think about profit alone and should get into the marshy field, as an effort to rediscover traditional agriculture which is vanishing,” said Ranjan.

Pattedar of Devastur, Kukkera Thammaiah flagged-off the paddy seedling transplantation and marshy field race.

He said that agriculture was a social activity in the past and people in the village help each other in paddy seedling transplantation work. But, today, fields have been left fallow.

In a good development, a few youth associations have come forward to carry out paddy transplantation work, he added.

Karnataka Arebhashe Samskruthi mattu Sahitya Academy Chairman P C Jayaram said that the traditional methods of agriculture reflected social harmony.

MLA K G Bopaiah, Kolar Excise Department Deputy Commissioner Sumitha Lingaraju, academy members Ramesh Joyappa, Kakkera Pradeep and A K Himakara were present among others.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by DH News Service, Madikeri / July 22nd, 2018

H D Kumaraswamy promises all help to rain-hit Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature

CM offers ‘Baagina’ to the Cauvery at Harangi n To perform poojas at Talacauvery today.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy offers ‘Baagina’ to river Cauvery at Harangi dam in Kodagu on Thursday. His wife Anitha Kumaraswamy and ministers D.K. Shivakumar and H.D. Revanna are seen (Photo: KPN )
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy offers ‘Baagina’ to river Cauvery at Harangi dam in Kodagu on Thursday. His wife Anitha Kumaraswamy and ministers D.K. Shivakumar and H.D. Revanna are seen (Photo: KPN )

Mysuru:

After a three-year-long drought with all the reservoirs in Cauvery catchment area having reached full reservoir levels because of the record rainfall, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy offered ‘Baagina’ to river Cauvery at Harangi reservoir in Kodagu district, as a gesture of thanks to ‘Mother Nature’ on Thursday. His wife Anita Kumaraswamy joined him for the special poojas. Water resources minister D.K. Shivakumar, Public Works minister H D Revanna Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahaesh, BJP MLAs K.G Bopaiah (Virajpet) and M.P. Appachu Ranjan (Madikeri), and MLCs Sunil Subramani and Veena Achaiah participated in the function.

Harangi reservoir is the second after Kabini to fill to the brim in the State this year. Kumaraswamy will follow this up with Cauvery poojas at Talacauvery in Kodagu on Friday morning, and later he will offer baagina to the Kapila at Kabini reservoir and the Cauvery again at KRS on Friday. He will participate in Aashada Friday poojas at Chamundeswari temple atop the Chamundi Hills which will begin on Friday.

Expressing his happiness that all the reservoirs have filled up after good rains, the CM said: “Kodagu has received this huge record rainfall after 35 years. I am here to respond to problems of people of Kodagu, which is the birthplace of the Cauvery.” Holding a meeting of officers on the losses incurred by people of Kodagu, due to rain havoc, he said, “Personnel from Hassan and Mysuru are being deputed to reinstate electricity connections in Kodagu.”

Authorities at reservoirs said that while the Kabini reservoir filled on June 15, Harangi on July 7, and KRS and Hemavathi on 14 July, it is usually on the day that Chief Minister offers Bagina to rivers at reservoirs, that the maximum level is recorded. And with CM’s programme to offer Bagina slotted on Thursday and Friday, outflow from all the reservoirs was reduced on Thursday. As on July 19, the KRS (78,04,11,672 cusecs) and Kabini (78,15,22,776 cusecs) received more than 78 lakh cusecs of water each from June 1 till July 18. During the same period, 34,58,31,120 cusecs of water was released from the KRS reservior and 64,06,78,770 cusecs from the Kabini reservoir this water year.

According to water resources department sources, on Thursday, 26,844 cusecs of water was released from the KRS reservoir and 35,800 cusecs from the Kabini reservoir. With good outflow from the state, water level at the Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu stood at 102.680 feet as against its full capacity 120 feet, on Wednesday. The sources said 24,300 cusecs of water was released from the Hemavathi reservoir and 9100 cusecs from the Harangi reservoir on Thursday.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Shilpa P , Deccan Chronicle / July 20th, 2018

Measures to protect tourists at Mallalli waterfalls

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All
Mallalli falls near Somwarpet is in full splendour, following heavy rain in the region.
Mallalli falls near Somwarpet is in full splendour, following heavy rain in the region.

After 11 lives were claimed at Mallalli falls near Somwarpet, the Kodagu district administration has taken up protective measures at the tourist spot.

Like other falls in the district, Mallalli falls is now in its full splendour. Over the years, the place has been a favourite destination for tourists visiting Kodagu during vacations.

Mallalli falls, cascading from a height of around 150 foot in Bettadalli Gram Panchayat jurisdiction, attracts tourists during monsoon.

The falls is situated at a distance of three kilometres from Hanchinalli village, on the way from Shanthalli to Pushpagiri.

In spite of being one of the tourist destinations, the spot lacks basic facilities, including the toilet facilities, due to the apathy of the department.

So far, a total of 11 tourists, who visited the falls, have lost their lives, as there were no protective measures on the spot. Some tourists have been creating a nuisance by misbehaving and littering waste in the spot, it is said.

After some local residents staged a protest and urged the district administration to take proper measures for the protection of tourists, the district administration has installed iron rods and grills near the falls.

Prashant, a tourist from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, said that there are no information signboards or warning boards at the spot. But the Gram Panchayat collects a hefty entrance fee from tourists, he charged.

Taluk Panchayat former president K M Lokesh urged the Tourism Department to develop the Mallalli falls by into a tourist place, by providing basic facilities, such as drinking water and toilets for tourists. Also, necessary staff should be deployed at the spot for protection, he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by DH News Service, Somwarpet / July 20th, 2018

Video Of Class 8 Boy Narrating Kodagu’s Rain Woes Goes Viral

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

KalleraFatehMPOs16jul2018

Madikeri:

While many people have expressed their dissatisfaction about Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (HDK) for not sanctioning any funds to Kodagu in his Budget, this little boy from Yemmemadu village near Napoklu takes the cake. In a video that has gone viral, the boy vents his anger at the CM and at the same time highlights how Kodagu is ravaged by rain and how man-animal conflict has made lives miserable in this tiny district.

In the video, the Class 8 student, Kallira Fateh, son of Kallira Ummar and Rukya, says the district which has given River Cauvery to Mysuru, Mandya, Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu has got nothing from Kumaraswamy.

Hailing from a farming and daily wager family, Fateh, holding an umbrella, is seen pleading with the CM to provide relief to the rain-affected Kodagu farmers. Taking a dig at the Chief Minister for ‘neglecting’ Kodagu district in the Budget, Fateh said, “Mysuru, Mandya and half of Tamil Nadu get water, if it rains in Kodagu district. But the unrelenting rain has destroyed coffee, pepper, areca and paddy crops in Kodagu.”

“The wild elephant menace is on the rise in Kutta, Birunani, Balele and Ponnampet because of which daily wagers and agriculture farmers fear to venture out of their houses. The rain-battered Kodagu-Kerala Road has become non-motorable. “Who should people approach to get their problems addressed? It is you (CM), who else,” he said.

He continued, “Kumaraswamy has meted out injustice to Kodagu by not sanctioning grants to Kodagu and added that the CM should treat all districts equally.”

The boy then addressed BJP State President B.S. Yeddyurappa to impress upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce compensation for the distressed farmers.

“Modiji is Prime Minister for 130 crore people of the country. He should treat people of all religions and castes on equal footing. This holds good for the CM too,” Fateh said.

The video went viral and reached the CM too. Kumaraswamy told reporters in Bengaluru that since Independence, many rulers have come. “Why am I being targeted, that too after taking charge just two months ago? I know about the problems faced by people of Kodagu. I will visit Kodagu and stay there for two days and hear the grievances of people and solve their problems,” he said. Fateh’s father Umar said his son was pained by the destruction of standing crops on 3,500 acres of paddy fields in the village.

“Our paddy field has been waterlogged for the past 13 days. No official or people’s representative visited our area. In our village, we get electricity only for six months a year. All this upset him,” he said. “I’m happy that the State Government and the CM have responded to our demands,” he said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / Madikeri – July 15th, 2018