Category Archives: Green Initiatives / Environment

Karnataka floods: An exclusive look at how drone technology helped rescue efforts in Kodagu

August 26, 2018Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinionadmin

Far beyond social-friendly drone footage, here’s a noble use of drones by an Indian company during flood rescue.

As the state of Kerala is observing its popular festival of Onam, the restrained celebration is a testament to the recent deluge witnessed by the state over the past week. Rehabilitation, rather than celebration, seems to be top priority of the people of Kerala. After a heartbreaking loss of over 300 lives, the state has come to a halt. But while, most of the world’s attention has been targeted at Kerala, the situation was equally grave in the neighboring state of Karnataka. The district of Kodagu, earlier known as Coorg, has been at the receiving end of heavy rains and resulting floods as well.
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Highlights

August witnessed heavy rainfall in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, as well as Kerala

Although Kerala suffered loss of over 300 lives, the situation in Karnataka was equally sombre

A Mumbai-based company that works with DRDO coordinated surveillance efforts with its indigenous drones
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The relief operation

The crisis began immediately after Independence Day. On the 17th and 18th August, ideaForge reached out to the Governments of Kerala and Karnataka, respectively. The company had already begun internal efforts on August 16 to prepare for operations when needed

ideaForge team carrying out checks before embarking on its mission. Image: ideaForge

Since the situation in Kerala was worsening, the machinery was focussing on getting the defense forces active. Immediate need from Kerala was surveillance and supply drops. Typically in such disaster relief missions, surveillance refers to identifying and locating people stranded in inaccessible areas. Similarly, supply drops refer to airdropping medicines, food packets and other critical needs over inaccessible areas. For the mission, the company identified two of its products – Netra Pro and Q series.

Transporting drone batteries is a critical component of the whole operation. Since civil aviation rules do not currently allow transporting drone batteries, the company requested the two governments to allow transporting them through the military sorties that were being carried out from Mumbai.

The team reached Kodagu the next day on August 20. The team had received a request from the Kodagu district collector for drone surveillance to identify people stranded in remote places. The company sourced the relevant products, carried out necessary testing procedures and safety checks before embarking on the surveillance and airdrop mission.

Meanwhile, the District Collector in Madikeri needed help with post damage assessment. The team reached Coorg on Monday, and sought permissions to fly. The team did a recce while on standby. After receiving permissions, they carried out their first surveillance and mapping operation on Wednesday, August 22. The Q Series and Netra Pro drones were used for this purpose.

In less than a day, the report was submitted to the District Collector. Currently, the Karnataka State Police Department, Commissioner’s Office, National Highway Authority of India, Tribal Welfare Department and the local PWD are collectively using the images for rebuilding and rehabilitation operations. Over Friday, August 24 and as of writing this report, drones are carrying out operations in the deeper tribal areas to survey and rescue any stranded victims.

According to Ankit Mehta, co-founder of ideaForge, “Being at the forefront of UAV technology, we will do our best to leverage this tech in times of need. For us it is about saving one life or at least helping one family in whatever way to recover from this natural disaster”

There’s more to drones than toying around

ideaForge develops drones that has been used by DRDO for its unmanned aerial vehicle program. It is led by Ankit Mehta alongwith Ashish Bhat and Rahul Singh who are alumnis of IIT Bombay. As students, they were part of the Innovation Cell at IIT Bombay, and took a special interest in foraging broken down bikes and scooters to create a hovercraft. The idea back then was to fly over the Powai lake situated near the IIT Bombay campus. After a couple of failures, and some significant mishaps that included connection cables getting chopped by the propeller, they finally managed to get a working prototype up and running.

Mehta is glad he didn’t cease his efforts there. After the initial disappointments, they got an opportunity to build a data loggers for UAVs from the Department of Aerospace at IIT Bombay. One thing led to the other, and the initial idea of flying over Powai lake gave birth to the company ideaForge, which was created at the Innovation Hub of IIT Bombay. Years later, ideaForge built and handed over the world’s smallest and lightest autopilot to DRDO. After an agreement was signed with the DRDO, ideaForge has worked with DRDO and NDRF for collaborating in rescue efforts during natural calamities. During the 2015 earthquake that rocked Nepal, drones made by the company aided with rescue efforts, relaying critical geographical and infrastructure status reports and information to the rescue team to plan out operations.

Far beyond viral video footage, we’re used to seeing on Facebook and YouTube, this is one novel use of drones that has resulted in saving critical human lives. The relaying of valuable information despite ground level challenges has been invaluable. The company has also mentioned its channel partner Arista Risk and Corporate Solutions in enabling necessary connections with government bodies and law enforcement authorities to seek necessary permissions.

source: http://www.bgr.in / BGR / Home> Features / by Nash David / August 25th, 2018

‘Re-seeding’ Kerala and Kodagu

August 26, 2018Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, Alladmin

Seeds of chilli, brinjal, tomato, gourds, and radish will be given to farmers. | Photo Credit: Photo courtesy: Annadana

NGO to donate indigenous vegetable seeds to farmers to ‘bring back diversity lost in the floods’

After the deluge, it is time to pick up the pieces. For many who are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, it is going to be a start from scratch. A not-for-profit headquartered in Bengaluru is now offering to help farmers with the first steps.

Annadana Soil and Seed Savers Network, which, among other things, conserves heritage seeds, plans to donate indigenous vegetable seeds to “bring back the diversity that has been lost in the devastating floods in Kerala and Kodagu”.

These species, said founding trustee and chairperson Sangita Sharma, were taken from the same places that they will be going back to and include ginger, turmeric, chilli, brinjal, tomato, gourds, and radish.

“Annadana has been conserving heritage seeds for 17 years. Each year, around 20,000 to 30,000 seeds are given to farmers. We participate in seed exchange and sharing sessions and we have varieties collected during our visits to Kerala. We plan to give these indigenous seeds to Kerala and connect them back with them. After these floods, there is a need to revive the diversity that has been lost,” she said.

With the full impact of the devastation yet to be known, making it difficult to know the number of farmers affected and the number of seeds required, the NGO intends to distribute the free seeds to farmers in Kerala and Kodagu through networks of farmers. It also plans to offer technical expertise as well in helping farmers regenerate their soil through its ‘empowered farmers’ who double as master trainers.

“There is total devastation right now. Crops such as rubber, coconut, teak, and timber do not have the water-holding capacity like the forest species have. Forests must remain forests. The entire ecosystem has been shaken up in the recent past. The farmers in these regions now have a lot of work. They need to find out what was coexisting there and reintroduce that. Forests will have to be revived. We want to offer our expertise and revive food species. If the soil is healthy, indigenous varieties will quickly adapt themselves,” added Ms. Sharma.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by K.C. Deepika / Bengaluru – August 25th, 2018

Fresh trouble brews for Kodagu coffee growers

August 26, 2018Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, Alladmin

After rains, coffee planters in Kodagu are gripped by the fear of black rot disease and berry droppings. Spices like black pepper and cardamom produced in the coffee estates have also perished, beside paddy fields being washed away.

The district, which is known for its coffee production worldwide, may have abysmally low coffee and agriculture output this year. The coffee growers, especially small planters, will be hit by the black rot disease, increase in berry droppings and fungal disease to the crop.

Naj Chengappa, a coffee planter, said, “The disease will affect both Arabica and Robusta coffee due to excess rainfall. The most striking symptoms are blackening and rotting of the leaves and tender berries.”

The growers are already worried about falling coffee prices in the past two years. The diseases following the flood will add to their sufferings. Black pepper crop, grown extensively in coffee plantations in the district, also suffers from droppings and fungal diseases. Cardamom is grown in parts of North Kodagu. The crop has suffered heavy damages due to landslides and flood. “Since there is no proper sunlight in Kodagu for almost a month now, this will cause fungal disease to coffee, black pepper and cardamom grown particularly in the North Kodagu areas like Madikeri, Napoklu, and Somwarpet,” said Naj.

According to Kaibulira Harish Appaiah, president of Kodagu Growers’ Association, the rain this year has caused 60% loss for coffee and pepper crops in the district. “Due to rain-related disease to coffee, 98.5% small growers will be affected. The crop requires at least two years to recover from rain-related diseases.” “The government has to waive the loans of farmers and come out with relief packages to compensate for the crop damages,” he said. According to sources in the Horticulture department, an estimated 47,000 hectares of arecanut plantations have been affected due to heavy rain. Arecanut is majorly grown in DK, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga. “The rain has caused fungal diseases in arecanut crop, which will affect the output this year,” said Y S Patil, horticulture department commissioner.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by Darshan Devaiah B P, DH News Service / Bengaluru – August 22nd, 2018

Kodagu Flood: Helpline Numbers For Madikeri

August 22, 2018Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, Alladmin

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

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

Chandru: 9663725200

Dhanjay: 9449731238

Mahesh: 9480731020

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

Anita joshi: 9448647223

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

My adress : dubare road nanjarayapatna, dubare view valley resort

Contact number: 9972963627

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

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

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

Capt Mandanna: 8197948879

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

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

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

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

UAE’s Kodava community tense as landslides batter Coorg

August 22, 2018Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

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

Brahmagiri Kodava Assn. Moots Blood Bank

August 15, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

Urges members to join greening drive

Mysuru:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Instant messaging, first line of defence against moving herds

August 13, 2018Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, Alladmin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NITK experts to visit Virajpet to inspect road

August 9, 2018Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All, Science & Technologyadmin

Technical experts from the Mines and Geology Department, Bengaluru, paid a visit to Virajpet on Monday and inspected the condition of Perumbadi-Makutta-Kootupole Road, which was damaged due to rains.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chasing the Cauvery

July 31, 2018Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

Side by side: The Cauvery (left) and the Kollidam at the Kambarasampettai check dam near Srirangam in Tiruchi. PHOTO: M. MOORTHY — Side by side: The Cauvery (left) and the Kollidam at the Kambarasampettai check dam near Srirangam in Tiruchi.
PHOTO: M. MOORTHY

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

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

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

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

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

Text by R. Krishnakumar and T. Ramakrishnan

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

Marshy field sports held in Madikeri amidst rain

July 23, 2018Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Sportsadmin

Youth take part in a marshy field race in Madikeri. DH PHOTO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kodagu First

a Celebration. Positive News, Facts & Achievements about Kodagu, Coorgs and the People of Kodagu – here at Home and Overseas