Category Archives: Agriculture

A welcome retreat

March 14, 2018About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, Alladmin

The recent withdrawal of the amendment bill to the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976 (KPT Act) by the government, which would have allowed indiscriminate cutting down of some 50 tree species, came about under pressure from green NGOs but is perfectly welcome. Farmers prefer growing hebbevu, eucalyptus, Casuarina, silver oak, Acacia auriculiformis, shivane, teak, sandal, etc.

The first four of the above species are already on the exemption list. The current proposal of the Forest department for inclusion in the exemption list includes Acacia auriculiformis, Kakke, Gulmohar, Peltoform, Raintree, Christmas tree, orange tree, Purple Bauhinia, mulberry, curry leaf, drumstick, Simaruba glauca, African tulip, tabebuia, Tecoma, Indian cork tree (Mellingtonia), etc.

Granting exemption on Gulmohar, Peltoform, Raintree, Purple Bauhinia, Tabebuia, Tecoma would lead to destruction of trees from urban areas. Thankfully, withdrawal of the exemption proposal does not hurt farmers as these are not their preferred species.

Acacia auriculiformis was the main species of forest plantations for more than three decades. Now, the planting is banned in some areas, yet its exemption may induce smuggling from older plantations. It is understood that the plantations are to be protected by the department, then why not include other species like teak, etc., on the exemption list?

When KPT Act was legislated in 1976, Casuarina and Hopea wightina were in the exemption list. Other species required permission. But, for nine districts, namely Chikkamagaluru, Chamrajnagar, Dakshin Kannada, Hassan, Kodagu, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi, Uttar Kannada, felling permission is not needed for any species except sandalwood and rosewood.

Even in these districts, tree-owners had provision for domestic consumption. People were harassed in the districts by Revenue and Forest officers. In 1987, the Act was amended to include Coconut, Erythrina, Eucalyptus, Glyrecidia, Prosopis, Rubber, Sesbania and Silver oak in the exemption list.

There were difficulties in protecting exempted species in the forests, yet the amendment was not retracted. The red tape in the lower bureaucracy continued to harass tree-owners for several other species. By another amendment in 2015, the exemption list was extended to subabul, areca nut, coffee, guava, hebbevu, Ailenthus excelsa, lemon, Maeopsis eminni, mango, sapota, Dendracalamus stocksii, Burma bamboo, Yellow bamboo, Acacia mangium, Acacia hybrid, Balangi and Cashew.

Exemption for mango and Balangi posed a serious threat to forest conservation in the Western Ghat areas. Huge mango trees growing on water courses in the forests were illicitly cut away, sometimes with the connivance of the officers. Many varieties of mango disappeared.

The loss of these trees from water courses can deplete water flow in the tributaries of major rivers. The Karnataka High Court removed the exemption on mango trees. The exemption of other species did not bring any negative impact on the conservation of forests.

To popularise farm forestry, Karnataka took some interesting initiatives. Krishi Aranya Protsah Yojane (KAPY) was launched in 2011, where tree-growers were paid an incentive for successfully growing plants for three continuous years. The initiative has picked up well.

The recently published Forest Survey of India (FSI) report confirms that the state’s forest cover has gone up from 36,449 sqkm to 37,550 sqkm in two years. The cover in recorded forests, Revenue and Paisary lands has gone up by 359 sqkm. However, in private wooded areas, coffee estates, and coconut and areca nut gardens, it has increased by 742 sqkm, but the assessment has not separated the contributions of forests and horticultural plants. Tree groves below one hectare and strip plantations are also assessed by FSI, where tree-cover is found to have increased from 5,552 sqkm to 5,713 sqkm in the same period.

The assessment is based on satellite imagery of October 2016. Assuming that five years’ growth is necessary for a signature to be picked up in satellite imagery, the increase, if any, can be attributed to plantations raised prior to 2012, and not due to the impact of KAPY and exempting additional species from KTP Act.

Mixed findings

FSI has also brought out the district-wise status of forests. It is heartening to note that the tree-cover in all dry districts has gone up, and horticultural plantations have also contributed. The success of the forestry programme in dry districts can be attributed to the fact that these districts are not covered under KPT Act and the movement of growing trees has picked up well.

Further, there is a disturbing trend of forest cover in Malnad districts like Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Mysuru and Shivamogga having decreased. This is the negative impact of KPT Act, as some of the exempted species have been illicitly removed from forests. The forests in these districts must be preserved as these are the catchments of many important rivers. Kodagu is a hilly district extending over 4,102 sqkm, of which only 1,700 sqkm is recorded forests. The vegetation on private land is equally important in the catchment of Cauvery river. The KPT Act has played havoc there in the past. It is time to suspend felling of naturally-growing trees on private lands in Kodagu.

Forests are the ‘mothers’ of several rivers, and the KPT Act is important for conservation. At the same time, growing trees on private lands must be encouraged and authorities must be held accountable for any laxity in dealing with cases under KPT Act. Bureaucratic hurdles are man-made, which must be dealt with severely.

Prime Minister Modi’s vision is to double farmers’ incomes by 2022. Among other things, he has been talking about soil testing, easy availability of neem-coated urea to reduce costs and growing tree species on the periphery of farmlands as well as bee-keeping to boost incomes. We have been importing wood for quite some time for our domestic consumption. The only way to save the foreign exchange is to grow our wood requirement indigenously.

(The writer is a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Karnataka)

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Main Article / by B.K. Singh / March 10th, 2018

Reforest India one tree at a time

February 28, 2018Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Natureadmin

Reforestindia.in is a clarion call to action to save our rivers and forests

The stunning and powerful youtube video by Reforest India on River Kaveri, in three different languages: Kodava Takk, Kannada and Tamizh, sends out a powerful message, and thus has gone viral on Facebook. Vinod Lal Heera Eshwer, trustee of Reforest India, says: “As the title of the video suggests: This is the story of Kaveri (and every river everywhere). Instead of fighting over river sharing, we must look within to know how to make a difference. Without forests rivers, cannot exist.”

His commitment and passion to saving river Kaveri has led him to ask people to plant a tree if they really want to save the dying river. “Likes and shares won’t save Kaveri. Stop deforestation and start to reforest. Both these go hand-in-hand.” The initiative is a clarion call to action “to save Kaveri one tree. One person. One heart at time.”

Vinod says you can plant a tree. “But even if you can’t, you can donate money for a tree to be planted in someone’s name and honour. “

Reforest India is a renaming of a path-breaking tree planting initiative Trees for Free, which was started in Bengaluru, by Janet in 2005, in honour of her husband. Thousands of trees were planted ever since and Reforest India further wants to expand the impact.

“We are not interested in numbers, statistics and targets,” says Vinod, author of Let’s catch the rain and Let’s Plant Trees, who has been an eco-warrior and has empowered people to take action instead of just paying lip service to the cause of the environment.

“We are not interested in fund raising, to borrow a term, we are interested in ‘friend raising’.”

Arjun Ranga Rao, CEO and managing director of Cycle Pure Agarbathies, donated a huge amount only because he strongly believes in the cause. “I didn’t look at it as a CSR activity. My grandfather N. Ranga Rao had dreamt of becoming an entrepreneur in Coorg and in 1948 moved to Mysuru and made that dream a reality. So as a family, we want to give back to Coorg.”

“Plant a tree today, for someone you love, for the love of children, and for the love of mother earth,” concludes Vinod. For details visit: http://reforestindia.in.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Environment / by Sravasti Datta / February 19th, 2018

‘Let Kaveri Flow’: This short film’s take on the Cauvery water dispute explores the debate in a new light

February 28, 2018Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Videosadmin

The allegory in the film underlines that the present actions of man — be it deforestations or mining — have led to the return of the demon Shoorapadma that once turned the basin dry and left it without water and jeopardised life.

With a aim to promote afforestation and let the river thrive, this short film tries to highlight the environmental issues shawdowed by the Cauvery water dispute. (Source: Early Man Film/ Vimeo)

As the historic verdict of the Cauvery water dispute was given out by the Supreme Court of India on February 16, it was started a new debate and discussion. The age-old dispute between Karnataka, the state where the river originates and Tamil Nadu, where it is the largest river — is all about ‘unfair’ use of the total water. The modern-day water-war that has often been marred by protests, violence and even death. While Karnataka claims the verdict as a “victory” and TN as a “disappointment”, political leaders seem to be missing a fact how many actions in the war has been killing the river slowly. Damaging its ecological balance and aid to global warming and climate change.

Amid all the mathematical calculations and discussions about the long-term benefit of the verdict to both the states, a film on the ‘Holy Ganga of South’ is going viral. The film made in Kodava, the native language of Kodava-speaking communities in the Kodagu region where the river originates, narrates the tale of the River Cauvery. From the ancient history of his mythological existence of how it was created by Lord Shiva’s blessing to the modern-day harmful impacts of mining in the basin — the film captures the entire trajectory of the river. The film highlights the plight of the river, which is referred to as Goddess Kaveri Amman, and how she is dying a slow death as her children continue to water they ignore her death.

The allegory underlines that the present actions of man — be it deforestations or mining have led to the return of the demon Shoorapadma that once turned the basin dry and left it without water and jeopardised life.

The SC verdict is significant as for the first time took cognizance of the availability of groundwater, in determining the quantum of water sharing, is expected to create ripple effects in inter-basin and inter-state water disputes. The apex court raised Karnataka’s share of the Cauvery waters by 14.75 thousand million cubic feet to 284.75 TMC ft and reduced Tamil Nadu’s share from 419 TMC ft to 404.25 TMC ft.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Trending> Viral Videos / by Shreya Das / New Delhi – February 18th, 2018

Meet Brijesh Kalappa-The Man behind Karnataka’s Victory in the Cauvery Case

February 28, 2018Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, Alladmin

The Supreme Court delivered its historic verdict on Friday that the state of Karnataka will get 14.75 TMC or thousand million cubic feet more water, in addition to the 270 TMC awarded by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 2007. The Cauvery water sharing dispute has been a bone of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu since the time of the British Raj.

This verdict is a clear victory for the poll bound Karnataka. However, Karnataka’s victory is mainly credited to Brijesh Kalappa who quit his cabinet rank post for the case.

Brijesh Kalappa is an advocate in the Supreme Court and Former Additional Advocate General, Haryana. He is an alumnus of the National Law School of India University and has also been a Legal Advisor to the Government of Karnataka (with the rank of Minister of State.) He has a sustained interest in public affairs even from his student years. He is a former journalist and has a wide range of interests including reading and travelling. On the professional front, he has worked with several legal luminaries on subjects of importance in civil, criminal, water and electoral laws and has individually represented governments, eminent individuals and major industrial houses. He is gifted with the prowess for distinctive sharp-edged analysis and has the advantage of surmounting well accepted beliefs by his inquiring nature. He is also the spokesperson of the Indian National Congress.

As a Legal Adviser, Kalappa could not appear on behalf of the State of Karnataka. The Cauvery Water Dispute had been very close to his heart, more so since he hailed from Kodagu. Thus he expressed his desire to re-join legal practice in order to continue to appear for the State of Karnataka when the prospect of the final hearing in the Cauvery Dispute before the Supreme Court loomed. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah understood its significance, since he belonged to the basin area of the Cauvery River and thereby consented. Kalappa therefore resigned from the position of Legal Adviser to the Government of Karnataka/Chief Minister and re-entered the legal team that he was a part of for a decade and a half.

Kalappa had written a detailed post sharing his experience of appearing in the Cauvery case

In this interview, Kalappa has an exclusive chat with The Indian Jurist regarding the latest victory of Karnataka in Cauvery River dispute and his all over experience throughout the case.

The Indian Jurist: Sir, First of all Congratulations for the victory in the Cauvery Judgment. To begin with- you quit your position as the cabinet minister to concentrate on this case. So what exactly gave you the courage and the motivation to do so?

Brijesh Kalappa: In 2007, when the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal award has come, at that time I was very much a lawyer and then I had also prepared the SLP and had worked in regard to the Cauvery case. From 2007 onwards we kept waiting that the Supreme Court will hear the matter and finally when the Supreme Court actually decided to hear the matter on a day-to-day basis in 2017, ten years later, I had been by then appointed as legal advisor to the Chief Minister of Karnataka and Mr.Siddaramaiah was kind enough to have conferred me the rank of minister so at that time my first instinct was that we should succeed in Cauvery just like we had succeeded in Krishna earlier. I was the Advocate on Record for the State of Karnataka in the Krishna Water Disputes, where Karnataka was the beneficiary of the greatest possible award of 524.256 m for the Almatti Dam and enhanced share of the share of Karnataka from 734 to 910 Tmc.

TIJ: Though there has been a reduction in the share of Tamil Nadu but now Karnataka is obligated to release a monthly share. So this in turn does benefit Tamil Nadu and is not complete loss for the state?

BK: No, certainly it is not a loss for Tamil Nadu and I would actually look at it this way that as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, it is important only if they have a workable order- doesn’t matter if they receive 500 TMC from Karnataka every year. But if Karnataka has refused to give them 500Tmc and they are running to Court every year then what is the joy of having an order like that. It should be a workable order. If it doesn’t work then there is no point. Tamil Nadu will also not enjoy the sweet success of having an order which isn’t going to be implemented. The thing which is important is to have something which is implementable.

TIJ: In one of the media interactions with the reporters at Vidhan Soudha, Karnataka Chief Minister Mr.Siddaramaiah stated that the verdict was not in full accordance with the plea and only some relief had been sought. So are you satisfied with the judgment?

BK: As far as the complete requirements are concerned they are certainly not fulfilled. One can see straight off that Karnataka people could have had much more. But I think there has to be a sense of give and take. We also have a sense that this is final because after the Supreme Court where else can you appeal? You can only go to God next.

TIJ: The major grouse of Karnataka was that the farmers in the Cauvery basin were restricted by curbs on the water usage. So how far this judgment would be beneficial for the farmers now?

BK: The victory is straightaway for farmers. About a lakh and half farmers are going to be benefitted straightaway and as far as the Bengaluru city is concerned, I think the needs of Bengaluru city, which was considered as of the most unlivable city after Cape Town (South Africa), that will finally be resolved.

TIJ: So how has been your experience throughout the entire case these years? You might have been receiving both brickbats and bouquets as well in the case?

BK: See, when you appear in a case like this, a daily assessment is made about your performance. The Cauvery Case is not about the final order, like as if it were to happen in a single day, For instance whenever there is distress, fate is ours to release say maybe 15 cu ft or 20 cu ft of water, many people don’t understand the outcome or implications of this, they would immediately say that the legal team have totally failed us and then there will be burning of effigies and people sending us very vicious WhatsApp messages and people making very horrible comments and mainly these people have lived of the state for so long but what they forget that this is an ongoing case and it is going on, at least as far as I am concerned, for a decade and a half. Suppose they say look Rs 1 Crore has been given to “X” lawyer then public says ‘look at this lawyer they have received such a huge amount’. But 1 Crore rupees over 15 years is nothing or 2 crore rupees a year means nothing because once you are living in Delhi, the living standards are very high there and how much a lawyer earns is very high. So in comparison to all of that what you are actually earning is probably less than a techie who is working in a top software firm. But people will say, “No-No Look at the kind of money these guys are making”. So this is the kind of campaign which really hurts you. But the overall point is that there must be satisfaction in what you do and satisfaction comes from within. So once you understand that this all blaming is just people’s frustration then you are okay with it. Even the normal client, when fails to get justice, he will always blame the lawyer and he will not say anything against the judge or anyone else. So we think of it in that sense. I have personally received both brickbats and bouquets during these years. I have endeavored to treat both with equanimity. This is actually what Lord Buddha says. There is much more to do, miles to go before we sleep. Threats to our environment ought to be thwarted, greater concern for water usage implemented and selfish concerns repelled.

TIJ: So finally this landmark judgment has held that a river is no one’s exclusive property; it is a national property and not a state owned. Will this judgment become a basis for all the other water disputes as well?

BK: This is indeed a wonderful law which has been laid down by the Supreme Court because the previous law had always been laid down under a reference for under such circumstances. So this is a particular law in regard to equitable apportionment which has been now laid down and it’s of course a high point as far as the law in regard to equitable apportionment is concerned. And further, everybody will certainly look at this judgment for all times to come.

source: http://www.theindianjurist.com / The Indian Jurist / Home / by Naazish Fatima / February 19th, 2018

‘Male habba’ showcases rich culture of Kodavas

February 28, 2018About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Natureadmin

45 lakh released for Kodava Sahitya Academy: Appachu Ranjan

MLA dancing to the tune of music of Kodagu, Kodava Sahithya Academy President and ZP members engaged in retransplatation of seedlings, Taluk Panchayat members ploughing the field, running race with a dog, tug of war and marshy field race… These were the scenes at ‘Male habba’ organised by the Karnataka Kodava Sahithya Academy in the field of Mukkodlu Hotteyanda S Thimmaiah in Madikeri Taluk on Sunday.

The habba was inaugurated by MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan. Amidst the greenary of the nature, the villagers actively took part in ‘Male habba.’

Irrespective of caste, creed and age, all took part in the competitions. On a whole, it was reflecting the Kodava culture, tradition and agriculture activities.

MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan, Kodava Sahithya Academy President Rani Machaiah, ZP Member B C Neelamma, TP Member Napanda Ravi Kalappa and others were taken out in a traditional procession.

Speaking on the occasion, the MLA said that it was good to see that Male Habba is being organised by uniting all the villagers. “The tradition and culture of Kodavas should be passed on to the future generation and Male Habba will help in showcasing the rich culture of Kodavas.”

Race, dancing and having meals together was the speciality of the ‘Male habba.’

The MLA said a sum of Rs 45 lakh was released to Kodava Sahithya Academy. Public should join hands with the Academy in preserving the Kodava language, culture, tradition of the land.

Academy President Rani Machaiah said additional grants are being released to the Academy, which helps the Academy in organising several programmes. The Academy will bring out a CD to showcase the rich Kodava culture to the future generation.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS / August 08th, 2010

Brewing higher profits and saving birds on the farm

February 28, 2018Agriculture, Coffee News, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

A velvet-fronted-Nuthatch in a plantation.

Arabica coffee helps both farmers and wild birds in the Ghats.

Coffee lovers may be discerning about their sweet arabica brews and the bolder robusta ones, but both types help maintain the diversity of wild birds in the Western Ghats. One, a little more than the other.

Arabica grows under the deep shade of native trees, with benefits for both farmers and birds. The surprise is that Robusta, also grown under native shade, is not far behind in the Ghats, unlike in other parts of the world.

These insights from a group of researchers were published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Native trees are cut down to grow robusta, in order to give it more sunlight, earning this coffee the tag of being inhospitable to wildlife. In Vietnam, for instance, full-sun coffee growth occurred at the expense of native trees. India too has leaned towards robusta: between 1950 and 2015, planted area under robusta grew by 840% while arabica grew by 327%.

Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS-India) and USA’s Princeton University compared bird diversity in 61 arabica and robusta estates across Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Kodagu districts in Karnataka.

Some surprises

What they found is that the plantations supported 79 species of forest-dependent birds in all, but arabica estates hosted twice the number of endemic birds than robusta. They also supported more birds that depend on forests, and eat fruits, insects and other food. Interviews with 344 coffee-growers showed that arabica was more profitable, with returns of around ₹1 lakh per hectare.

Yet, surprisingly, robusta plantations also hosted high bird diversity. “To our surprise, robusta agroforests had much higher diversity of birds that are specifically adapted to the habitat than we expected,” says scientist Krithi Karanth of WCS-India, who led the study.

Since robusta farmers in the Western Ghats retain native trees, they have been able to preserve the complex canopy structure, setting them apart from others worldwide, says Ms. Karanth.

“Though the current selling rate for robusta is only around ₹3,000 for a 50-kg-bag, it is easier to grow,” explains Suresh M. D., who owns a one-acre coffee plantation of both coffee types.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Environment / by Aathira Perinchery / Kochi – February 16th, 2018

Indian Coffee Farmers May Have Found A Way To Make Efficient Growing More Sustainable

February 28, 2018Agriculture, Coffee News, World Opinionadmin

Coffee berries that contain the life-giving bean (seed) inside / Foto 5533 - Shutterstock — Coffee berries that contain the life-giving bean (seed) inside / Foto 5533 – Shutterstock

Any truly environmentally conscious coffee drinker has fretted over the massive commercial agriculture systems required for each lovely cup to appear in their waiting hands. The land-use impacts are especially hard to swallow because the bean-producing shrub grows best in tropical ecosystems – beautiful regions home to some of nature’s most fascinating creatures.

Most well-meaning connoisseurs thus exclusively consume coffee produced by the arabica variety, a shade-tolerant species that happily grow within an existing forest environment, over the other main variety, robusta, the cultivation of which usually involves clearing native trees and understory plants in order to give the coffee bushes the bright Sun and open space they desire. Given that arabica beans can be farmed using sustainable methods and they taste better than robusta, one would think that the case is closed. Unfortunately for wildlife, however, robusta dominates the worldwide coffee market because it is both cheaper and easier to grow.

According to research led by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the rising demand for coffee since 1990 has led to a 150 percent increase in coffee farmlands in India. The majority of these new farms are located within the Western Ghats (one of the Earth’s top eight biodiversity hotspots), and the growers are overwhelmingly choosing robusta.

The team’s paper, published in Scientific Reports, set out to determine how the area’s tropical forests are responding by surveying the bird species present at 344 family-owned coffee plantations. Because birds are known to be a reliable indicator of overall ecosystem vitality, the researchers expected to find that arabica farms host far more birds and a richer variety of species.

Surprisingly, they found instead that robusta plantations are actually home to a higher density of forest-specialist flocking birds, including many fruit-eating species that plants and trees rely on to disperse their seeds. The distribution of threatened species also appeared equal between the two farm types.

The threatened Alexandrine parakeet was found on both types of coffee farm. Photo credit Manish Kumar

On the other hand, arabica farms did have greater numbers and varieties of forest-dwelling individual birds that are only found in the Western Ghats area. Several of these species are known to be the first to disappear when a habitat is modified, suggesting that although robusta farms are not necessarily as bad as we thought, arabica growing conditions remain more favorable.

A shaded arabica farm in Costa Rica. Erkki & Hanna/Shutterstock

Few previous studies have directly compared the ecosystem impacts of arabica vs robusta, but just glancing at photographs of each type of farm leads one to believe that there’s no way that the average robusta growing operation has anything to do with the word “sustainable”.

A robusta farm in Brazil. Paulo Vilela/Shutterstock

So, what are the Indian farmers doing differently than the rest of the world?

The authors observed that though most farmers in Western Ghats used conventional (non-organic) fertilizer, only 19 percent of robusta growers also used pesticides compared with 75 percent of arabica farmers – likely due to the fact that the robusta variety is naturally hardier against attack from insects and mold.

In addition, these robusta growers kept way more native trees than growers in other areas.

“In fact, the surveyed robusta agroforests possessed canopy and forest cover three times higher than shade-grown coffee farms in Indonesia,” the authors wrote.

They conclude that the results are not just good news for the birds. Several types of once-lowbrow robusta now fetch market prices that are close to those of arabica, and the farms studied suggest that competitive crop yields are possible without relying on intensive farming methods. Adding this together means that the Western Ghats farming model could provide a sweet spot for the coffee industry: Efficient, profitable, and sustainable.

source: http://www.iflscience.com / IFL Science / by Aliyeh Kovner / February 19th, 2018

Awareness programme on forest fire

February 28, 2018Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

An awareness rally on forest fire was held in Gonikoppa.

A forest fire is not a natural incident. There are always human hands behind the accident, said Wildlife First president K M Chinnappa.

He was speaking during the flagging-off of an awareness rally conducted by Wildlife First and the Aided High School at Gonikoppa to create awareness against forest fires.

Negative impact

“A forest fire not only results in the loss of valuable flora and fauna but also increases the temperature levels. This will further result in less rainfall and depletion of groundwater level. The amount of rainfall is diminishing year by year as the forest cover is depleting. If this continues, drought will be the most common phenomena,” Chinnappa said.

Dependence on forests

Inaugurating the rally, Titimati Assistant Conservator of Forests Sripati said that the existence of all organisms depends on the existence of forests. “Everyone should, therefore, extend their help towards preserving forests and wildlife,” he added.

Around 3,000 handbills on forest conservation were distributed among citizens on the occasion. Up to 50 students took out a procession and raised slogans on conservation of forests.

Science teacher and Tiger Pug Nature association coordinator D Krishna Chaitanya was present on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DH News Service, Gonikoppa / February 05th, 2018

Karnataka halts Kerala in its tracks, saves Kodagu

February 28, 2018About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Science & Technologyadmin

Says it has not approved the Thalassery-Mysuru rail link

A burgeoning environment movement across Kodagu was put to halt — albeit breifly — by the state government on Wednesday.

Putting an end to the rising levels of anxiety among thousands of Kodavas and green activists, the state government clarified that it has not approved the controversial rail link connecting Thalassery (Kerala) with Mysuru (Karnataka) via Kodagu. Further, the state government clarified that it would not even allow preparation of detailed project report (DPAR) for the proposed rail link as the project would jeopardise the fragile ecosystem of the pristine Western Ghats.

Allaying the fears of thousands of people, RV Deshpande, Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries and Infrastructure, told the state legislature that the government expressed its opposition for the project. Drawing the attention of the state government, BJP MLA from Virajpet KG Bopaiah alleged that both Karnataka and Kerala already met once and agreed to carry out survey for the proposed rail link amidst stiff opposition from the local population.

Deshpande acknowledged that a meeting between secretaries of Karnataka and Kerala did take place recently, however, the Karnataka government had not consented for the project. “Holding a meeting does not ensure our approval for the project. We have not consented for the rail link project. Further, the project is yet to be approved by the Railway Board and thereafter a formal request has to be made by the Kerala government. Only then, we will be able to take a decision,” Deshpande revealed.

Going further, Deshpande stated, “We already had discussion about the project at government level. Our forest department has not only expressed reservations but also opposed the project as it would jeopardise the green cover and affect elephant corridor through which the rail link passes. Hence, the state government in principle has not consented for the project.” According to Bopaiah, as per the Railway minister’s reply in the Lok Sabha in December 2017, a joint meeting between Kerala and Karnataka secretaries had resolved to take up survey along the route only if the Kerala government submits a proposal to Karnataka provided it does not cause disturbance to wildlife areas. Interestingly, the rail link spanning more than 200 km would pass through Wyanad of Kerala and enter Kodagu at Kutta to pass through thick forest regions like Balele-Nittor-Canoor and Thithimati to reach Mysuru.

Perturbed that the new railway line with a project cost of Rs 6,685 cr would result in clearing of about 40 per cent of Kodagu’s forest, Kodavas, including retired defence officials, planters, environmentalists and public had staged massive protest rallies recently at Kutta and Madikeri. Fighting against the projects that would spell doom over the fragile eco-system of Kodagu where the River Cauvery originates, people from Kodagu, Mysuru and Bengaluru had launched Save Kodagu and Cauvery campaign led by Coorg Wildlife Society. Col (Rtd) Muthanna had even accused Kerala political leaders, including Congress parliamentarian KC Venugopal, of misusing his office as the Congress in-charge in Karnataka by leading Kerala delegations to push for destructive projects cutting through Kodagu benefiting Kerala.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> News> States / by Niranjan Kaggere, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / February 08th, 2018

Don’t make a killing

February 5, 2018Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Nri's / Pio'sadmin

A documentary film about the elephant-man conflict in Karnataka posits that solutions to loss of life due to elephant attacks can only come through co-existence. Not everybody agrees, though. We look for some answers.

There is a moment in Elephants in the Coffee when Naveen Cariappa (his family has farmed an area in Coorg for more than three generations) talks about how media, officials and conservationists rush to the site of an elephant death, but remain silent when a coffee plantation worker is killed as a result of conflict with the very same elephants. The lament encapsulates the kernel of the 58-minute documentary – that the solution to such man-elephant conflict lies not in taking sides, but in pursuing solutions that encourage a peaceful co-existence between both parties.

Created by author, documentary filmmaker and cultural explorer Bhaskar Krishnamurthy and journalist-turned-educator Tom Grant, Elephants in the Coffee looks at the fragile relationship between elephants and humans, and has been shot mainly around Nagarahole National Park and the coffee estates skirting it.

Krishnamurthy, who was in the city for the screening (he is based in the US) says this, his first film on the subject, was born out of a desire to understand what happens as human population grows and elephant habitat shrinks. “Are we at the threshold of cutting our relationship with animals? The more plantation workers die as a result of this conflict, the more tolerance for wildlife is going to reduce. And that doesn’t bode well,” he says. Grant adds: “Cariappa represented an important duality, or internal conflict, among farmers. He loved elephants and nature. He worked with people in the national park to help improve the situation for elephants. But when they began destroying his crops and threatening his workers, he had to seek solutions. He found no reasonable measures by which he, as a small farmer, could protect his farm from crop raiding elephants. In our minds, he is a symbol of the Indian farmer who is being forced to change his attitude toward an animal he once saw as a benevolent god. Now he, as many others, see the elephant as a menace that must be addressed.”

There are others. PC Bopanna, a farmer describes how he survived after an elephant pelted him to the ground, but today, hobbles along on a crutch, his leg badly damaged in the incident, even multiple surgeries later.

Then there is the other side – of elephants losing their habitat, of majestic creatures being robbed of their homes and reduced to residents of tiny spaces once they’re marked as violent and aggressive and eventually, captured. Krishnamurthy speaks with feeling of the 60 elephants housed in captivity in Karnataka, and how they may be alive, but living regimented lives like that for the rest of their days “is no life at all”.

Fences have not worked, as illustrated by viral videos of an elephant slipping under a railway crossing barrier at Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary earlier this year.

Elephants in the Coffee also shows how elephants outsmart all kinds of barriers, trampling them with ease. As the film makes clear, ‘If you make a 20-foot-long moat, the elephant will walk till the 21st foot and cross over there’. Successful models have been few, such as the SMS-based warning system developed by Dr Anand in Valparai to warn workers when an elephant is in the area, or the SMS messaging system at Tata Coffee, demonstrated in the film by biologist Karthic Krishnan.

Conservationist Padma Ashok is also of the opinion that co-existence is the only way forward. She opines that solutions need to be thought of by people local to the area, by taking into consideration the topography, landscape and geographical features of the area. “From the elevation to the length of the river in that area, everything matters. And you need a combination of two-three solutions to tackle the problem, because elephants are able to outsmart most,” she says.

Not everyone agrees, though. Praveen Bhargav, former member of the National Board for Wildlife, believes harmonious co-existence is “one of the greatest myths in conservation”, a utopian idea that “rarely works in the long term with most conflict-prone large mammals”. He advocates “site-specific solutions driven by scientific knowledge and a deep understanding of the social context”. He adds: “Loss of a family member is tragic but it must be seen in perspective. In Karnataka alone, more than 10,000 people have lost their lives in road accidents in 2015 while around 15 people have died due to elephant conflict. Large swathes of elephant habitat have been fragmented/lost due to agriculture, human settlements, encroachments, dams, highways, resorts etc which is a major driver of conflict.

There is no magical solution but conflict can be minimised by spatially separating humans and large wildlife to the extent possible by deflecting developmental projects, preventing ad-hoc grants of public lands by the revenue department, incentive-driven voluntary resettlements and innovative ideas for creating viable buffers around reserves involving local communities. In some specific cases, marooned, isolated population of elephants may have to be moved out to minimise conflict.”

Krishnamurthy believes the biggest problem is a lack of education. People have no idea what impact a cup of their coffee is having in the wild. He suggests the promotion of sustainable wildlife products, say by giving “a premium to the coffee you drink”. “At least that way a part of it will go back to wildlife conservation.” He would also like more stringent requirements for ownership of coffee estates and homestays that have mushroomed indiscriminately in these areas over the past few years. “So many of them are owned by people living, say, in Bengaluru. Maybe one way to minimise the number of such estates is to lay down laws that owners have to have strong roots in Coorg,” he explains. And to ensure better welfare of the captured elephants, mahouts need to be treated better and paid more. “Otherwise they’re losing interest and daily wage labourers who are paid a pittance and have no interest in forming a relationship with the animal, are taking their place.” The best answer, though, he believes, is technology. “Even the SMS warning service is eventually a human intervention. Instead, I’m sure that in Bengaluru we can develop technology to identify elephant movement and tracking, where there is no need at all for a person to physically go out there and do it.”

For Grant, the solution also lies in people considering the cost of their cup of coffee. As he puts it: “Americans drink an average of three cups of coffee each, but they have little idea how coffee is grown. India is one of the top exporters of coffee. And now Tata has a joint operating agreement with American coffee giant Starbucks. Yet no one in America who drinks coffee knows that India’s elephants are locked in a struggle for survival with the people who grow coffee.”
The answer isn’t that people stop drinking coffee, he emphasises.

Rather, “if every coffee drinker gave a penny for elephants with every cup, we could solve this problem in an instant”.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Opinion> Sunday Read / by Sowmya Rajaram, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / April 30th, 2017

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