Category Archives: Nature

A terrace can be for garden too

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

Gardening enthusiasts in Mangalore connect with nature by turning their roof tops into gardens, writes Sandhya C D’Souza.

Mangalore which was once a carpet of lush green is now turning into a concrete jungle. High rise buildings and space restrictions have taken away the pretty gardens which once adorned the homes.

However, a few gardening enthusiasts in Mangalore are not deterred by this. They have displayed their creative skills and shown their concern for green by turning their terraces into beautiful gardens.

Dr Bharathi Nirmal from Ullal is probably one of the first green crusaders in the city to start off with a terrace garden. Speaking to City Herald, Dr Nirmal reveals that she started off with the concept 30 years ago.

“My terrace used to heat up and the temperature in the house used to increase. I wanted to make my terrace cool. Hence, I shifted some of my plant pots to the terrace. This made the terrace look more beautiful and hence I decided to continue with the concept,” she says.

Dr Nirmal has grown beautiful flowers on her terrace. “I have many rare varieties such as jasmines, daises, bougainvilleas, desert rose among others,” she says and adds that plants are like little children, it needs good nurturing.

Terrace garden belonging to Anupama Bhat from Manjeshwar has been declared as a demo model plot by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA).

Anupama tells that she was inspired by a documentary on terrace gardening she saw on youtube four years back. “I thought even I could do the same and then there was no looking back,” she says.

Anupama has grown almost all varieties of vegetables in her terrace kitchen garden. “I have grown almost 16 varieties of vegetables on my 1,200 square feet terrace.

I have grown cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots, beetroots, ladies finger, gherkins, radish, chilies, leafy vegetables among others,” she says. “The Kerala government is supportive towards green initiatives. Through ATMA, a Central government scheme, I have received Rs 4,000 to maintain my garden,” she adds.

Rajkumar, Officer in-Charge of Panambur Metrological Department has turned his terrace into a kitchen garden at Hosabettu. Rajkumar tells that he has not gone to the market to purchase vegetables since the past two years as he has grown almost all varieties of vegetables.

“I always wanted fresh vegetables. As they were not availbale in the market, I decided to grow my own,” he says and adds that everytime he sees the fruits borne by the plants, he gets motivated to continue with his hobby.

“The Karnataka government should support such green intiatives. There is also a need to start a seed bank, where one can buy the seeds he wants,” points out Rajkumar.

Kamala Kanapady who grew up in Coorg says, she missed nature once she moved into Mangalore. “I wanted a big garden, but space was always a constraint, so I turned my terrace into a kitchen garden,” she says. Kamala grows brinjal, tomato, bittergourd, gherkins, spinach and other leafy vegetables on her terrace in Bejai.

“In today’s compact cities, terrace garden is probably the best solution to connect with nature. It adds a touch of green to the most ignored corner of house,” says Rajendra Hegde.

Hegde who works as Project in-Charge in Vittal Mallya Scientific Reserach Foundation has conducted several workshops on terrace gardening.

“Awareness on terrace gardening is picking up in Mangalore. However, people have several apprehensions,” says Hegde. Most of the people are worried if their terrace can sustain the weight of the garden and the water content may cause leakge.

In case a person’s terrace can sustain the rains, then growing a garden may not cause the leakage, says Hegde.

If weight is the apprehension, one can grow plants in thermocol pots, plastic bins or bags, he says.

“There is no particular design for a terrace garden. It is left up to the gardeners creativity and ability. However, any garden needs good nurturing. Good compost, healthy soil and regular watering is a must,” he adds.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Mangalore City Herald / by Sandhya C D’Souza / June 15th, 2012

Workshop for forest officers

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

200 officers participate

G.V. Sugoor, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Development), inaugurating a workshop on Afforestation of agricultural land, organised by the Forest Department at the Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram in city this morning as (from left) CF Vijay Kumar, CCF Cariappa, CCF (Chamarajanagar) Dilip Kumar Das, CCF K.H. Nagaraj, DCF D.S. Gaonkar and ACF C.P. Durgegowda look on.
Picture shows a section of officers attending the workshop.
Mysore, May 30

A day-long workshop for Forest Officers on ‘Afforestation of agricultural land’ organised by the Forest Department began this morning at Aranya Bhavan in Ashokapuram here.

Inaugurating the workshop, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests G.V. Sugoor said “The scheme started during 2011-12 is aimed to motivate farmers to plant trees in their agricultural lands.”

He further said that a minimum of 400 saplings should be planted per hectare and the department will provide the approved variety of saplings to the farmers along with Rs. 10 per sapling as an incentive.

Apart from this, the farmers will get Rs. 15 and Rs. 20 during the subsequent two years based on good maintenance of the saplings, said the Addl. PCCF adding that Mysore district has topped in performance with 49 lakh saplings planted last year.

Sugoor advised the participating officers to meet the farmers and motivate them on the novel concept. He also asked them to maintain the nursery in good condition.

Taking a strong objection to the absence of forest officers from Kodagu district, Sugoor said that they would be issued notices.

About 200 DCFs, ACFs and RFOs of Mysore, Mandya and Hassan are attending.

CCF Dilip Kumar Das and CCF K.H. Nagaraj were present

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / may 30th, 2012

No UNESCO tag for Madikeri

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, World Opinion

Madikeri:

Madikeri Taluk Budakattu Krishikara Sangha president Kudiyara Muthappa said that the district will not receive the World Heritage Site tag in the near future.
He told reporters here on Wednesday that they received an official note from UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee which stated that they had received global objections to the issue, including from the district.

Hence, the highest deciding body on the tag has decided to drop the proposal.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest can submit a fresh proposal for nomination after three years in this regard, he added.

The Sangha had submitted a joint appeal to UNESCO opposing the tag in their respective areas quoting the reason as lack of implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People in the context of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention.

The main objection raised by the Sangha was that the local people weren’t taken into confidence nor were they informed about the tag, he said.
Even after six years, the Recognition of Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers Act-2006 had not been implemented and those who were living in the forest and adjoining areas were being evicted citing various Forest and Wildlife Acts, he alleged.

This was the main objection raised in the letter to UNESCO. Denying forest rights is a sheer violation of human rights of adivasis and other forest dwellers, he added.
Hence, the World Heritage Committee decided to defer on the nominations and called upon the Union Government to consult and collaborate with indigenous people.

He also released copies of the letter they had written and the replies too.
He also released the letter written by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs V Kishore Chandra Deo to all the Chief Ministers of the country quoting various problems in the implementation of the Recognition of Forest Act.

It may be recalled that the district was included in the list of World Heritage Sites as it is covered by the Western Ghats.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Home> South> Southern News> Karnataka / The New Indian Express, Express News Service / Karnataka, May 31st, 2012

Flowers, fruits to enthral onlookers in Madikeri

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

Show to be held from May 11 to 13
The flower-fruit show at Rajaseat will be unveiled on May 11 at 4.30 pm.

The yearly programme organised by District Administration, Zilla Panchayat and Horticulture Department will be held from May 11 to 13.

This year, the Government has not released any special grant for the flower show owing to drought in many parts of the State. Despite this, the officials are all set to put up a good show.
Despite organising the show in a simple manner, the show is nothing lesser than the previous shows.

The highlight of the show this year will be the drawing of animals and birds using white stones. Monsoon show using test tubes will also enthral the audience this time.

As many as 6,000 flower pots of 125 varieties will be displayed. Some medicinal plants will also be displayed. Names of all the plants will be displayed so as to help the students and general public.

Vegetable carvings will be a part of the show. In the evening, musical fountain and light show will be held.

The programme will be inaugurated by Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah. Zilla Panchayat CEO M P Appachu Ranjan, MLC M C Nanaiah, M P H Vishwanath among others will take part.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri, May 10th, 2012

Spending time with the tribals

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Uncategorized

Honey hives: In the forest
It was a day to remember when school kids danced with the Soliga tribals recently at the town hall.
A recent event in Mangalore brought school students closer to Soliga culture. Many of them joined the Soligas as they danced as part of a programme held in the city’s town hall recently.

The students were from Stds. VI and VII. There were 40 students from Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, and 70 students from Government Higher Primary School, Mullakadu.

Song and dance
Enjoying ethnic beats: With the Soliga tribe
The dance was part of a week-long celebration of dances organised by the Information Departments of all the 30 districts of the state.

Most of the students said that they were seeing the dances and songs of the Soligas for the first time.

The Soligas explained to the students about life in the forest. The students asked them several questions about their food, their way of worship and how they lived in the forest.

Telling time

Raghuvir, Std. VII, Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, said, “I liked the way they described how they collect honey and how they tell the time by looking at the blooming of a flower. They should be allowed to live in their forests.”

Nirmala, Std. VII, said, “Women in the tribe have freedom.” Hithesh, Std. VII was thrilled how they could detect a snake hidden in the foliage.

Dhanaraj, Std. VII admired the way they dressed, their views on animals, their ornaments made from what is available and the variety of their dances

Mamatha, honorary teacher, Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, was impressed by their marriage custom, where a girl can choose her life partner and the expense of the marriage came to only Rs.12.50.

The word Soliga means “people of the bamboo”, because they believed they originated from the bamboo. They live close to nature. This is seen in their local tribal laws. They harvest fruits and berries only from trees that has lots of flowers. They leave the overripe ones for the birds.

They cultivate land only for five to seven years. Then the land is left untouched for 50 to 75 years, so that the forest takes over again.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Life & Style> Kids / by Renuka Phadnis / April 02nd, 2012

‘Forest must to balance nature’

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

District and Sessions Judge Ashok G Nijagannavar said that the forests help in maintaining balance in nature.

Speaking at World Forest Day organised by forest department and Western Ghat Task Force at Aranya Bhavana in Madikeri, he said “at least 30 per cent of the land should be covered with forest in the country.

With the increase in the demand, the forests are getting vanished in the country. There is a need to protect at least the forests which are found at present.”

Zilla Panchayat President Ravi Kushalappa said 37 per cent of the land in Kodagu is covered with forest.

There is a need to grow trees in schools and colleges

Conservator of Forest Brijesh Kumar Deekshith, DCF K S Anand, Deputy Commissioner Dr N V Prasad, ZP CEO N Krishnappa and others were present.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri, March 21st, 2012

Tata Coffee Plantation Trails celebrates International Women’s Day

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Sports, Uncategorized

A woman efficiently plays the ever changing role of a daughter, wife, mother, entrepreneur, builder and moulder of a nation’s destiny. Plantation Trails is honoured to offer all lady guests a special treat on their special day.

It is the spirit of Womanhood that has inspired generations and we at Plantation Trails would like to celebrate this spirit on the occasion of International Women’s Day. A woman efficiently plays the ever changing role of a daughter, wife, mother, entrepreneur, builder and moulder of a nation’s destiny. Plantation Trails is honoured to offer all lady guests a special treat on their special day.

The celebration would begin from March 1 to March 31, 2012. Every group with at least one woman guest, who makes a booking at Plantation Trails calling on + 91 (080) 23560761 or E-mails: reach.plantationtrails@tatacoffee.com gets to enjoy a special package at Coorg & Chikamagalur.

Christine F. Jamal, Vice President Corporate, Tata Coffee Limited said, “ Woman have played a crucial role over the ages nurturing the social and functional ties of society thus being the real architects in building the strong pillars of human civilization. Their role and tireless contribution across the various stages of life is enormous and immeasurable. Plantation Trails respects women and there can be no better occasion to honour them than on International Women’s Day.”

source: http://www.IndiaInfoline.com / IndiaInfoline> Markets> News> Other News / March 06th, 2012

Fight against Central Empowered Committee: A K Subbaiah

Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Nature, Uncategorized

Former MLC A K Subbaiah has called upon the people to fight unitedly against the report of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) constituted by the Supreme Court, which has recommended acquisition of forest grown on private land.

Speaking to press persons, he said the people of Kodagu had grown coffee and forest in their private lands. The coffee plants were not grown in reserve forest.

Fight unitedly

He said: “The private lands may be coffee estates. The people of the district should unitedly fight against the CEC report, which has recommended acquiring private lands.”
“The Supreme Court had directed the CEC to look into the issue of Kadamakalla road. It had to raise the issue of forest in private land along with the road. Pseudo environmentalists were responsible for such a report of the CEC,” he said.

“The CEC report cannot be justified. It is an unilateral decision and is against the interest of the people of Kodagu. The committee has taken into account the statements of pseudo-environmentalists and not local residents.

Opinion

Even I had given my opinion before the committee. However, my opinion did not find a place in the report,” he added.

Coffee growers and the public should file a writ petition against the report in the Supreme Court and argue in favour of rejection of the report and state that there is no deemed forest in Kodagu, he suggested.

‘Need road’

Subbaiah said: “We need Kadamakalla road. The road will provide connectivity to the people of the region to the outside world. The government should provide basic facilities including road, water and electricity to the citizens. Why is there opposition when the government has decided to lay a road?” he asked.

“Elected representatives should respond to the needs of the people. Accordingly, Speaker K G Bopaiah, MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan and former MLA S G Medappa have rendered their duty, by supporting the cause of Kadamakalla road. There was nothing wrong in their action,” he added.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri, March 04th, 2012

The Bearded Bandit of Coorg!

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Uncategorized

The Bearded Bandit of Coorg!

Robber Fly, Coorg / Photographed by: Samyak Kaninde
Being mugged is every traveller’s nightmare. Being mugged and then consumed as the main course in a mugger’s banquet, is the stuff that makes it to the horror movie hall of fame. But being killed and converted into a Smoothie to be slurped at leisure, takes the (dis)honours and is certainly not something you’d like on your resume. That, however, is exactly what happens to unwary air-travellers in Coorg if they don’t keep a lookout for the most feared bogeyman of the area – the Robber Fly. This bearded brigand perches quite innocuously on a twig, and when a beetle, dragonfly or wasp is spotted approaching incautiously, smacks his hirsute lips and takes off on a roundabout flight, before veering back suddenly and grabbing the unsuspecting insect, mid-flight, with his powerful legs. A short jab with his rapier-sharp beak injects venomous saliva that paralyses the prey while liquefying the body matter. From there on it’s a smooth return flight to the home perch, where the Robber proceeds to slurp up his Insect Smoothie. If he’s particularly peckish, and feels like a larger serving, the Robber Fly doesn’t balk at taking on prey much bigger than himself, trusting to his well-honed predatory skills and the power of his proboscis.

Talking of skill-sets, the predatory career of this successful bandit begins quite early: the larval baby brigand hides in the soil and in decaying wood, and learns the ropes by preying on the larvae, eggs and pupae of other insects around him. While this is bad news for some, a healthy Robber Fly population is good for humans, as it is our first line of defence against destructive and disease-carrying insects. Much like the legend of Robin Hood, the Robber of Coorg has shown that a bandit for some could well be a saviour for others.

We at Orange County have loved sharing this story with you, and shall bring you one every fortnight, as part of our Responsible Tourism Initiatives to raise awareness about the nature and culture of the environments we operate in.

source: http://www.lifescapes.org.in / LIFESCAPES by Orange County / Home> Lifescapes Gallery / January 11th, 2012

Book on Cauvery

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Uncategorized


At the function: G.K.Vasan, Union minister of Shipping, (second right) and Kaumuri Bapi Raju, MP (third right), G. Rangaswamy Moopanar, president, Sri Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha (left)and A.K. Palanivel at Thanjavur. Photo: B. Velankanni Raj


‘Mazhai,’ a book of verses on rain and Cauvery Delta, was released in Thanjavur recently.

The Union Minister for Shippping, G.K.Vasan, released a Tamil book titled ‘Mazhai,’ written by G. Srinivasan, at Thanjavur on Monday last (January 9). Kaumuri Babi Raju MP and chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam received the first copy. Speaking on the occassion Vasan said that writing poetry is a difficult task.

“It is even more difficult to write poems that provide food for thought. When the poet makes people think and act with his poems, he achieves the goal.”

Quoting some poems from the book, Vasan said that one on Cauvery issue spoke of the reality on the issue. The poem says that the farmer of Cauvery delta wants rain to be copious in Coorg, so that his Kannada brethren can not store the water and open the dams. Thus the Delta farmer will get the rain. Vasan quipped by saying “It appears that only Lord Varuna can help the people in Tamil Nadu in the Cauvery issue.” He said that the book contained poems on spirituality, health, social issues like environment, poverty and poems on leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.

G. Rangaswamy Moopanar, president of the Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha, presided over the function. Sintha Mohan, Tirupati MP, N.R. Rangarajan, Pattukottai MLA and S.P. Anthonisamy, chairman of Parisutham Institute of Science and Technology, received the copies of the book. A. Alagappan, former governor, Rotary Club, and director, Blossom School, Dr. Mohandos, Nephrologist, V. Jeevakumar from Tamil Nadu Murpokku Ezhuthalar and Kalaignargal Sangam and Kamaraj, Professor, Tamil University, offered felicitations. The book has been brought out by Mahavir Printers, Thanjavur.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Arts> Books / by G Srinivasan / January 12th, 2012