Padma Shri awardee Rani Machaiah, an exponent of the Ummathat folk dance of Kodagu, was chosen as the Coorg Person of the Year 2023 by a news and tourism portal.
According to the author and editor of the portal www.coorgtourisminfo.com P.T. Bopanna, Ms. Rani Machaiah’s selection was made on the basis of a poll conducted through the portal.
It may be mentioned here that the portal had chosen actor Rashmika Mandanna as the Coorg Person of the Year 2022.
In a statement here on Ms. Rani Machaiah’s selection for the year 2023, Mr. Bopanna said the Ummathat folk dance exponent was leading her troupe since 1984 and had trained thousands of students in the folk dance tradition in Kodagu.
Rani Machaiah had been presented with Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu in 2023. “Rani is known for teaching and popularising Ummathat, a traditional form of Kodagu danced by women dressed in red brocade saris draped in Kodava style and wearing traditional Kodava jewellery. They dance gracefully in circles around a lit pedestal lamp to the rhythm of hand-held brass cymbals, which they beat as they dance to the accompaniment of folk songs sung by two or more women. The dance is devoted to Goddess Kaveri (the river which takes its birth in Kodagu and is considered as their mother goddess by Kodavas). It is performed mostly during the harvest festival Puthari,” said a statement issued by Mr. Bopanna.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 04th, 2024
Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar releasing the posters made for the district-wide survey of ancient manuscripts under the State government’s Jnana Bharatham Mission in Madikeri on Friday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar has directed officials to complete the district-wide survey of ancient manuscripts by the end of May under the State government’s Jnana Bharatham Mission.
Presiding over a preparatory meeting at his office on Friday, Mr. Somashekhar emphasised that manuscripts — handwritten on palm leaves, paper, and other materials — are invaluable repositories of history, literature, culture, and traditional knowledge, reflecting the intellectual wealth of past generations.
He instructed the Departments of Archaeology and Tourism to take immediate steps for the systematic collection, scientific preservation, and digitisation of manuscripts. Highlighting Kodagu’s rich historical legacy, he said identifying and digitising rare manuscripts must be treated as a priority.
“Manuscripts serve as vital sources to understand social and cultural history. They contain rare knowledge on epics, poetry, grammar, Ayurveda, and philosophy,” he said, adding that they also help decode ancient scripts and linguistic styles.
Mr. Somashekhar called for involving historians, literary enthusiasts, and senior citizens in identifying manuscripts. He suggested that documents be collected for scanning and safely returned to their owners to build trust and encourage wider participation.
He said the State government, in its 2025–26 Budget, has announced the Jnana Bharatham Mission as a flagship initiative aimed at reviving and safeguarding manuscript heritage through surveys, documentation, and digitisation. The government has urged citizens to upload details of manuscripts available in their homes or nearby locations using the Jnana Bharatham app or share information with district survey teams.
Archaeology Department Curator Rekha said manuscripts are likely to be found in temples such as Omkareshwara and Paloor Mahalingeshwara, as well as in mutts, traditional ainmanes (ancestral homes), and storage repositories.
Project District Coordinator Karthikeyan said the survey is being conducted across Karnataka in coordination with the Departments of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, and Tourism. He added that creating a comprehensive digital archive would help preserve the district’s unique historical identity for future generations.
Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College principal Raghav, Tourism Department consultant Jatin and other officials were present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / April 11th, 2026
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar said sincere efforts will be made to provide land to set up canteens, community halls, and hospitals for ex-servicemen in the district.
After listening to the grievances of ex-servicemen and their dependents at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Madikeri on Tuesday, Mr. Somashekar said land will be reserved on a priority basis for constructing community halls for ex-servicemen in Madikeri and Ponnampet.
After ex-serviceman Chengappa informed the Deputy Commissioner that many ex-servicemen are sustaining themselves by cultivating small plots near their villages, requesting the authorities to formalise ownership of this land, Mr. Somashekar stated that he would look into the possibility of converting the land, up to one or two acres, cultivated by the ex-servicemen into their names and issuing them a Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTC). He assured that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the rules.
A request would also be submitted to the government to relax the regulations regarding land allotment to ex-servicemen, he said.
When Mr. Chengappa brought to his notice that over 50% of ex-servicemen and their dependents do not own houses, the Deputy Commissioner said the issue of providing sites and houses to ex-servicemen will be examined and brought to the attention of the government.
“Discussions will also be held with concerned authorities to reserve sites for ex-servicemen in private layouts developed across the district,” Mr. Somashekar said.
Responding to a suggestion from the president of Kodagu District Ex-Servicemen’s Association, Major General (Retd.) B.A. Cariappa, the Deputy Commissioner, said ex-servicemen would henceforth be invited to the birth anniversary programmes of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General K.S. Thimaiah.
In addition, to effectively address the grievances of ex-servicemen, he instructed that hearings take place at the taluk level in the presence of Assistant Commissioners, and that an ex-servicemen’s adalat be organised every two months by the respective Tahsildars.
The Deputy Commissioner also assured that individual land-related files would be examined in accordance with rules to ensure justice.
He directed officials to ensure that ex-servicemen visiting government offices be treated with dignity and respect.
Earlier, Mr. Cariappa, representing the District Ex-Servicemen’s Association, said ex-servicemen have served in high-altitude regions like Jammu and Kashmir and they must be provided at least basic facilities like hospitals and canteens, besides community halls.
An ex-serviceman shared a personal grievance and said his family members had denied him his rightful share of ancestral property during his service and requested the authorities to intervene so that he could receive his rightful share. Pointing out that he was currently eking out a living working as a security guard in Mysuru and Bengaluru, he appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to intervene.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / April 18th, 2026
Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar chairing a review meeting on the progress of door-to-door survey in the ongoing Census 2027, in Kodagu district on Monday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu S.J. Somashekar reviewed the progress of the door-to-door survey as part of the ongoing Census 2027 and directed the officials to expedite the process.
Chairing a meeting in Madikeri on Monday, Mr. Somashekar said Kodagu district currently stood in the 15th place in the State in terms of progress in the ongoing houselisting enumeration and directed the officials to achieve substantial progress by the end of this month.
The Tahsildars, Taluk Panchayat Executive Officers, Block Education Officers, and Chief Officers of municipalities and town panchayats, who have been designated as nodal officers, were instructed to ensure that no household is left out within their respective jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, 999 enumerators have already been deployed across the district for the house-to-house census work, including 187 in Madikeri taluk, 61 in Madikeri town, 186 in Somwarpet taluk, 12 in Somwarpet town panchayat, 133 in Virajpet taluk, 36 in Virajpet municipality, 161 in Ponnampet taluk, 19 in Ponnampet town panchayat and 158 in Kushalnagar taluk and 46 in Kushalnagar municipality.
Additionally, 172 personnel have been assigned as Census supervisors, and about 10% of enumerators have been kept in reserve, the Deputy Commissioner said.
During the comprehensive review of the progress of house enumeration in Madikeri, Somwarpet, Kushalnagar, Virajpet, and Ponnampet taluks, the officials briefed the meeting on the status of house mapping, numbering, and field mapping activities.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News>India / by The Hindu Bureau / April 28th, 2026
Dhanyata M Poovaiah writes about Kodagu’s paddy varieties, festivals linked to the agrarian calendar and traditional rice dishes.
Vasudha and Krishna (in purple) varieties of paddy being cultivated near Ponnampet in Kodagu. Photo by Ravi Shankar
Kodagu today is synonymous with its lush, aromatic coffee plantations. But long before coffee arrived with the British, the region’s identity was rooted in paddy cultivation.
Kodagu transitioned from paddy to coffee only in the late 20th century, as coffee plantations turned to be more profitable and less labour-intensive. In recent years, real estate development has resulted in the conversion of paddy fields into non-agricultural land.
Yet, rice continues to be the staple diet in Kodagu and remains an important crop, cultivated in around 14,000 hectares in the district. Consequently, the cultural life of the region is intertwined with the various phases of paddy cultivation.
The Kodava New Year, Edmyar Ondh, celebrated in Mid-April, marks the beginning of the paddy cycle. The year is ushered in with ploughing of the paddy fields. During Kodava Kakkada, the peak monsoon month from mid-July to mid-August, paddy saplings are transplanted. On the 18th day of Kakkada, known as Kakkada Padhinett, maddh payasa, a special dessert is prepared from a plant locally called maddh thoppu (medicinal plant). This plant (Justicia wynaadensis) is known to have several medicinal properties which helps boost immunity.
The Kailpodh festival, celebrated on September 3 every year, marks the completion of transplantation and offers a period to relax after the hard labour.
Puthari, celebrated in the Birchiyar month between November and December, marks the harvest of paddy.
“Since Kodagu is blessed with abundant rainfall, paddy cultivation is entirely rainfed and cultivated as a single-season Kharif crop in the lowlands,” says Dr Prashantha C, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Head of the Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Ponnampet.
“From December to March, the focus shifts to coffee harvesting and processing,” he adds.
Local paddy varieties, known for their flavour and aroma, are largely grown for self-consumption. “High-yielding varieties meant for commercial use are declining due to reduced returns,” adds Dr Prashantha.
Labour shortages and increasing human-animal conflict have also discouraged farmers from continuing paddy cultivation.
However, Kodagu is still home to several varieties of paddy. Among the indigenous varieties are Jeerige Sanna, BKB – developed by agriculturist Baduvanda K Belliappa, Biliya, Rajamudi, Doddi and Boliya, while popular high-yielding varieties include Tunga, KPR-1, Athira, BR-2655, MTU 1001 and IR 64.
“Indigenous varieties such as BKB and Doddi grow up to 3.5 feet in height and are a good source of fodder for the cattle. However, they are low-yielding and require 150 days to mature. High-yielding hybrid varieties such as Athira grow 2 to 2.5 ft and have less straw. These varieties mature at 120 days and usually require mechanical harvesters,” says Koniyanda Sanju Somaiah, an agriculturist.
Varietal conservation
According to seed conservationist Ravi Shankar B P, paddy varieties from any part of the country can be grown in Kodagu. Only the yield may vary. He has conserved over 100 varieties of paddy from across the world including the Kala Namak (Buddha rice) from Uttar Pradesh and Magic rice (Komal Saul) from Assam, and wishes to preserve several other unique rice varieties.
“With proper techniques, yields of paddy can be increased fivefold. This involves proper water management and in-situ green manuring. Under this method of manuring, short duration leguminous crops such as cowpea are grown in the field and are incorporated into the soil after sufficient growth, before the paddy saplings are transplanted. This improves soil fertility and its physical, chemical and biological properties, while reducing the need for external manure,” says Ravi Shankar.
Local varieties yield around 10–15 quintals per acre, while high-yielding varieties can produce 25–33 quintals per acre.
Paddy cultivation plays a vital ecological role as well. Waterlogged fields can help recharge groundwater, depending on soil and local conditions.
“The rise in the water table ensures that lakes, ponds and streams do not go dry even during summer” says Dr Veerendra K V, Scientist (Plant Protection) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Gonikoppal.
“Government schemes currently support farmers through subsidies on machinery, paddy seeds, pesticides, bio-fertilisers and green manuring crop seeds. However, increasing the minimum support price and offering other monetary benefits for cultivators will ensure increased paddy cultivation in the region,” he adds.
At present, procurement delays and storage challenges continue to deter farmers. While harvesting takes place in November–December, procurement happens only in February–March.
On the table
According to chef Naren Thimmaiah, Kodavas traditionally consumed pukkalakki (boiled rice) as their staple. Jeerige Sanna was used to prepare pulav and ghee rice on special occasions. However, since the mid-20th century, the white BKB variety has been widely adopted in the region. BKB and Jeerige Sanna varieties are also used to prepare otti, noolputt, kadambutt, paputt and thaliyaputt and payasa.
“In Kodava cuisine, pairing the right curry with the main rice-based dish is essential,” adds Naren.
Naada mann, naada kool’ (my soil, my rice) is a popular saying in Kodagu, reflecting the belief that instead of abandoning rice cultivation, each family should maintain at least a small patch. “For this, government support is crucial,” notes Ravi Shankar.
Women workers bundle paddy seedlings for transplantation in a field near Ponnampet in Kodagu. Photos by Ravi Shankar
Workers with harvested paddy. Photo by Ravi Shankar
A paddy field near Ponnampet. Photo by Ravi Shankar
A paddy field near Ponnampet. Photo by Ravi Shankar
source: www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India>Karnataka / by Dhanyata M Poovaiah / April 09th, 2026
Indian tennis legend Rohan Bopanna reflects on his journey in the sport from a late start in Coorg to Grand Slam success and becoming World No.1 in doubles at the age of 43.
Rohan Bopanna officially retired from tennis in November 2025 at the age of 45. Image: Reuters
In an interview with ATP Tour last year after his retirement announcement, Rohan Bopanna had this to say when asked about his career – “I think my career is a story of patience, discipline and self-belief.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. Ask any sports psychologist worth his or her salt and they will tell you that Rohan Bopanna’s tennis career can be a case study in those three simple and yet absolutely invaluable qualities – patience, discipline and self-belief. After all, he went from almost quitting the sport in 2021 to enjoying the best phase of his career in which he won the Australian Open men’s doubles title in 2024 and became the oldest man to climb to the very pinnacle of the ATP doubles rankings.
With Bopanna bringing the curtain down on his tennis career last year, Indian tennis bid adieu to the last of the “Fab-Four” who conquered the Grand Slams. A look back at his incredible journey in which he truly peaked past the age of 35 and continued to play at the highest level despite “no cartilage” in his knees due to “severe long-term wear and tear”, makes for fascinating reading.
The tennis journey, for Rohan, began later than most others who take up the sport professionally. Studies have shown that most tennis pros pick up the sport between the ages of four and seven. Rohan was 11 when he started playing tennis – an age when most of his peers were already mastering tactical and technical skills. Most coaches will tell you that it is very, very difficult for someone to start playing tennis at 11 and then go on to become a professional player on the Tour. It takes significant talent, training, investment and also mental toughness. In his case it was the challenges that drove him to excel.
“I started playing tennis relatively late at age 11, though sports were always central to my life in Coorg. Initially driven by curiosity and competition, I quickly fell in love with the individual challenge of being on court and figuring things out on my own,” Bopanna told Firstpost in an exclusive interview.
Rohan Bopanna won the Australian Open men’s doubles title in 2024 at the age of 44. Image: Reuters
Bopanna on forming Indo-Pak Express with Aisam
Bopanna was born and grew up in picturesque Coorg. Dubbed “the Scotland of India”, Coorg is of course famous for its coffee plantations, moss-covered hills and stunning Western Ghats landscapes. What it is not known for are tennis academies. His father played a pivotal role in helping him pursue his passion, including building a tennis court on their coffee plantation estate in Coorg. That gave him the wings he needed to fly. He moved to an academy in Pune when he was 14 and had to go through quite the grind. Though he turned professional in 2003 and played both singles and doubles (reached a world ranking of 213 in singles in 2007), it wasn’t until 2010 that he really understood the path he needed to exclusively follow – the path of the doubles game. In 2010 Bopanna reached the final of the US Open men’s doubles with Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, the other half of the famous “Indo-Pak Express”. And that was what convinced Bopanna that he needed to focus on the doubles game.
“Reaching the 2010 US Open final with Aisam was a major turning point. It gave me the clarity that I could compete consistently at the highest level in doubles. I decided to commit fully to the format to maximize my strengths,” Bopanna further told Firstpost.
The Indo-Pak Express followed up that US Open success with the 2011 Paris Masters title. The duo in fact, went on to win titles on all three surfaces (grass, clay and hard) and the list includes the 2011 Stockholm Open, the 2011 Halle Open, the 2010 South Africa Tennis Open, and the 2014 Dubai Tennis Championships. Bopanna and Aisam subsequently also reunited in 2021 after a seven-year split. Overall, across doubles and mixed doubles (in which he won the 2017 French Open title) the list of Bopanna’s tennis partners makes for very impressive reading. It includes Mahesh Bhupathi (played with him in the 2012 London Olympics), Leander Paes (played with him in the 2016 Rio Olympics), Divij Sharan (won the 2018 Asian Games men’s doubles gold medal with him), Edouard Roger-Vasselin (reached the 2013 Wimbledon semi-finals with him), Matthew Ebden (won the 2024 Australian Open with him), Aisam, along with Ivan Dodig, Denis Shapovalov, Pablo Cuevas, Florin Mergea, and N Sriram Balaji. In the mixed doubles he played alongside the likes of Gabriela Dabrowski (won the 2017 French Open title with her), Sania Mirza (reached the 2023 Australian Open final and the semi-finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics), Timea Babos (reached the 2018 Australian Open final) and Rutuja Bhosale (won the 2022 Asian Games mixed doubles gold medal with her).
Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan and a young Rohan Bopanna celebrate a win in 2011. Image: Reuters
“I shared a natural chemistry with Mahesh Bhupathi and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi that translated into great results. In mixed doubles, playing with Sania Mirza was special because our deep friendship built a foundation of trust on the big stages,” Bopanna further shared with Firstpost.
Notably, Rohan and Aisam launched the “Stop War, Start Tennis” peace campaign and were conferred with the 2010 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award for promoting peace through tennis.
When Bopanna came close to quitting tennis
Like any other professional sports career, Bopanna’s too, saw some real dark lows. He came very close to quitting the sport twice – once in 2019 and then again in 2021. The first was after he discovered that he had “no cartilage” left in his knees, which of course severely affected his mobility and left him in a lot of pain. Bopanna in fact has gone on record in the past to say that he was having two to three painkillers a day. What really helped was Iyengar yoga – something he began practising during the Covid pandemic, doing one and half hour sessions, four times a week. The second really low phase was when he just wasn’t managing to win matches post Covid. The “hard quarantine” he was under in Melbourne was beginning to take its toll. After the Covid lockdowns were lifted and he went back to pro tennis, Bopanna lost his opening seven tour-level matches, going five months without a win. The then 41-year-old seriously contemplated retirement at the time. It is famously documented how a conversation with his wife, Supriya, who asked him to treat this as “a new challenge rather than a limitation” made him change his mind. What followed was the best phase of his career. It was then that Bopanna, as he told ATPTour.com- “started playing my best tennis.”
“Tennis has made me mentally resilient, teaching me to stay grounded through both success and failure. Beyond the court, I am grateful for the global community I’ve built; I have friends in nearly 50 countries who offer a perspective on the world that goes far beyond the tour,” Bopanna further told Firstpost.
Anyone who has tracked Bopanna’s career will, of course, be curious to know just how it felt to have that incredible second wind, where he found himself as the oldest first-time world number one in men’s doubles, at 43 – something that he ensured for himself when he and Ebden beat Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in straight sets at the 2024 Australian Open. So, what did that mean to him? I had to ask him that.
“Reaching World No. 1 was special because it represented longevity and the belief that age is not a limitation if you take care of your body and stay hungry for success,” was Rohan’s answer – something that can well be a mantra for youngsters who are just picking up the sport.
Of course, Bopanna and Ebden didn’t just stop there – they went on to win the whole thing, beating Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the final. He was 43 years, 10 months, and 24 days old. This was a significant achievement for Bopanna, who in 17 previous appearances at the Australian Open had never progressed beyond the third round in the men’s doubles draw. It was also yet another indicator of just how successful the late blooming phase, if one can call it that, was for one of Indian tennis’ biggest legends. The cherry on the cake (though technically the announcement was made one day before the final) was Bops being conferred with India’s fourth-highest civilian honour – the Padma Shri. He had come a long way from deciding to focus on the doubles game in 2010. A few smart decisions yielded great returns in ensuring that he continued to remain a force to be reckoned with well into his 40s.
“The 2010 US Open gave me the initial belief. The second turning point came much later when I invested in a full-time physio. Prioritizing recovery and smarter scheduling allowed me to extend my career and play my best tennis into my 40s,” Bopanna further told Firstpost.
Bopanna reveals his sweetest victory
Apart from his achievements on the Tour, Bopanna has served Indian tennis diligently over many, many years. Apart from winning two Asian Games gold medals – one each in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles – he has represented the country in three editions of the Olympics (2012, 2016, 2024) and also played Davis Cup for India over two decades – from 2002 to 2023, collecting the Arjuna Award (2018) and of course the Padma Shri (2024).
So, I asked him – “You have two Grand Slam titles under your belt, but you also have two Asian Games gold medals and won multiple Davis Cup matches. Looking back at your career, if you had to pick the sweetest victory of them all, which one would it be?”
This is Bopanna, who famously told the chair umpire that a ball that had been ruled out when struck by his opponents in a crucial phase of the final of the 2023 US Open men’s doubles had actually touched his elbow. No one saw that happen and the point had already been awarded to Bopanna and Ebden. So, I was of course expecting an honest answer.
“The Australian Open title is a career highlight as the culmination of years of effort. However, representing India in the Davis Cup or Asian Games always carries a unique emotional value,” the two-time Grand Slam champion said.
Bopanna and Australia’s Matthew Ebden celebrate the men’s doubles final win at Australian Open. Image: Reuters
Post retirement, Bopanna’s biggest focus now is to help Indian tennis as best as possible. The Rohan Bopanna tennis academy is doing some great work, targeting structured coaching pathways for youngsters that fuels holistic development and high-performance training and mentorship. And you can bet that three of the core personal values being taught there are – patience, discipline and self-belief.
source: http://www.firstpost.com / FirstPost. / Home / by Akaash Dasgupta / April 27th, 2026
The pivotal move aims to deliver an unparalleled coffee experience across India, sourcing 100% single-origin Arabica beans from Chikmagalur, Coorg and Tamil Nadu.
Representative image
Coffeeverse, the premium speciality coffee brand behind Ahmedabad’s Roastery Cultúr, has launched its new e-commerce platform. The pivotal move aims to deliver an unparalleled coffee experience across India, sourcing 100% single-origin Arabica beans from Chikmagalur, Coorg and Tamil Nadu.
Coffeeverse launches e-commerce platform bringing speciality coffee to your door
The expansion includes plans for availability on Amazon, Nature’s Basket and Homeground, plus new physical locations in Goa, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Coffeeverse offers Coffee Beans, Ground Coffee and Instant Pours, with popular choices like Cappuccino Blend and Anaerobic Fermented Naturals. Each month, two micro-lots will be released alongside seasonal blends. They also provide brewing equipment such as French Presses and Aeropresses.
A core initiative is ‘Women in Coffee’, collaborating with industry leaders like Komal Sable and Chandini Purnesh, supporting sustainability and equity. Shikhar Pattani, Founder of Coffeeverse, stated, “Our focus is on delivering freshly roasted coffee, premium brewing equipment, and the knowledge to enhance every coffee experience.”
Coffeeverse also brings customer education through blogs and workshops, alongside eco-friendly packaging.
source: http://www.indulgexpress.com / The Indian Express – INDULGE / Home> Trends / by Prattusa / May 26th, 2025
Kodagu SP K Bindu Mani convened a meeting with owners of hotels, resorts, homestays, and travel agencies to reinforce safety protocols for tourists.
Image used for representational purposes only.
Madikeri :
Homestay owners in Kodagu have called on the state government to take immediate action against more than 2,000 illegal homestays operating in the district.
The demand comes in the wake of a sexual assault on a US tourist at a registered homestay in Kutta, which has raised serious concerns about tourist safety.
Speaking at a press conference in Madikeri, members of the Kodagu District Homestay Association also urged the government to fill the vacant post of Deputy Director of the Tourism Department.
Association president Monthi Ganesh said the lack of proper oversight has left many tourism operators without guidance and contributed to illegal activities in the sector.
“The district is a major tourist hub, with thousands of homestays and numerous resorts. Yet, the post of Deputy Director has been vacant for several months, which hampers proper regulation,” Ganesh said.
She emphasised that strict enforcement against illegal homestays is essential, including police action to ensure visitor safety.
Association member KM Karumbaiah revealed that while 2,470 homestays are officially registered, over 2,000 others are operating without authorisation. Members also raised concerns about tourists being misled by brokers near bus stands and other public spaces, who direct them to illegal accommodations.
Condemning the recent assault at Devi Villa homestay in Kutta, Ganesh noted that the facility was registered with the tourism department. She argued that the Deputy Commissioner could have suspended the license instead of cancelling it outright, given that the case is still under investigation.
Police Strengthen Tourist Safety Measures
Kodagu SP K Bindu Mani convened a meeting with owners of hotels, resorts, homestays, and travel agencies to reinforce safety protocols for tourists.
The SP instructed owners to comply with the law and warned that they would be held accountable for any illegal or criminal activity on their premises.
Facility owners were instructed to submit complete staff details and, in the case of foreign guests, file a C Form at the nearest police station.
Similar meetings were held across the district by local police stations, focusing on the implementation of safety measures for visitors to the region.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / April 26th,2026
Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre said the SOP has been issued to ensure trekkers’ safety.
A rainforest trail through the Western Ghats in Kudremukh, Karnataka. (File Photo)
Following a series of recent safety incidents in forested trekking routes, the Karnataka government recently introduced a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) mandating that no individual can trek on notified forest trails without a certified nature guide. Trekking in forest areas will now be fully regulated and allowed only with a permit.
Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre said the SOP has been issued to ensure trekkers’ safety, improve monitoring, and enable faster emergency response in case of accidents or missing persons. The directive comes close on the heels of a Kerala woman surviving three days after losing her way during a trek to Tadiyandamol in Kodagu.
Under the new framework, trekking without a guide will not be permitted under any circumstances. Each group will be accompanied by a certified nature guide, with a fixed ratio of one guide for every 10 trekkers. Authorities have also capped the number of trekkers at 150 per trail per day, while making prior online registration compulsory. The minister clarified that even if a single person registers for a trek on a given day, a guide will be assigned, but solo trekking will not be allowed.
Technology-based monitoring and safety measures
Trekkers will be required to install a temporary mobile tracking application for real-time location monitoring by forest officials. Guides will be equipped with GPS-enabled walkie-talkies and instructed to maintain regular communication with base camps.
Guides will be responsible for keeping the group together, ensuring no trekker moves ahead or falls behind. Mandatory headcounts will be conducted at checkpoints and rest points, while base camp staff will follow up in case of communication delays.
In case of emergencies, a forest officer said, “The group will immediately halt, and a headcount will be taken. The guide will alert the base camp with the exact location and situation report, following which rescue teams will be mobilised.” The Range Forest Officer (RFO) will then coordinate with district administration and the police, deploying drones, thermal cameras, and additional manpower if required.
Officials said all trekking routes will now be clearly marked with colour-coded signs, while hazardous stretches such as cliffs, steep slopes, and water crossings will be marked in red. Route maps, including details of mobile network dead zones, will also be made available online and through a mobile application. Trekkers will additionally be provided with designated rest points along clearly marked trails.
Minors will require parental consent, while senior citizens must submit fitness certificates before undertaking treks. All approved trekking routes under the Forest Department will be integrated into a central online booking platform to streamline access and regulate visitor flow. Group insurance for trekkers is also being considered, along with mandatory first-aid kits for guides.
The SOP also prohibits carrying loud devices, weapons, sharp objects, and single-use plastics. Campfires and flash photography will not be allowed, and trekkers must carry back all waste for disposal at base camps.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Express News Service / April 18th, 2026
The book is rich with vivid details and engaging snippets from history and mythology.
The War Elephants of Trigarta By: Sarita Mandanna Publisher: Aleph Pages: 192 Price: Rs499
The War Elephants of Trigarta by Sarita Mandanna is part of the Bold Chronicles series, which aims to awaken a love of history and storytelling among the next generation. Inspired by fascinating moments from India’s rich and layered past, as well as world history, the series uses engaging storytelling to capture the attention of youngsters who are often absorbed in gadgets and reluctant to engage with anything beyond reels or apps. It is an uphill task, but Mandanna manages it with dexterity and humour, delivering a rich and enjoyable narrative that plants seeds of curiosity about history while also offering insight into the present.
At the heart of the story is the delightful Mili, the daughter of Raja Puru’s general, who is in charge of training and caring for the war elephants that are the pride of Trigarta. She forms a bond with a rare white elephant, whom she names Nathu. Over time, Mili becomes an unlikely but important player in the looming war led by the formidable Alexander the Great, culminating in the legendary Battle of the Hydaspes. As her father often says, and Mili repeats, “Never too old, and never too young!”
The book is rich with vivid details and engaging snippets from history and mythology. Readers encounter the fate of beautiful Parsa, or modern-day Persepolis, and the well-known story of how Alexander tamed the wild horse Bucephalus, who became his trusted companion. There are also references to Supratika and Sangram, the elephant heroes of mythology and history. In contrast, Nathu proves difficult to train and is a constant source of frustration. Even the general calls him a “donkey of a stubborn elephant,” much to Mili’s annoyance.
There is also a hilarious episode involving Nathu, a basket of stolen turnips, and an unfortunate bout of flatulence at the worst possible moment. At the end of it, Mili asks her father a question that is both innocent and amusing: “The royal family. Do they fart—I mean, do they pass wind too?”
However, the story is not all light-hearted. Given the subject, and Alexander’s well-known ruthlessness, the narrative does not shy away from darker realities. Mandanna presents these events in a way that is accessible to younger readers without losing their seriousness. As news arrives of Alexander sacking yet another rebel city, Mili repeatedly asks her father, “What happened to the children in the mercenary camp, Baba?”
The danger and horror of war feel immediate and real for Mili and those around her, as the Macedonian army advances. Yet, her courage stands strong. Like the great figures of history, she uses her intelligence and resilience to make a real difference in a world torn apart by conflict and ambition.
This is an irresistible story that will appeal not only to young readers but to anyone who enjoys a gripping and well-told tale.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Books / by Anuja Chandramouli / April 19th,2026
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