Category Archives: Green Initiatives / Environment

Madhavan Pillai, Shobana Chandrasekhar and Anita Nanjappa turned a discarded toilet complex into Art Gallery in Ooty

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

ToiletArtKF25mar2018

In Ooty, a trio converts a discarded toilet into an art gallery and, with that, reminds the public and the govt to take care of forgotten public spaces

The best business pitch. The best love poem. The best travel plan… Some of our best ideas are born in the loo. Now Madhavan Pillai, Shobana Chandrashekar, and Anita Nanjappa, can admit to that as well. The trio have upcycled a discarded toilet complex in Ooty into an intimate art gallery, giving the hill station its first such space and a lesson in optimum resource management.

Gallery OneTwo opened over the weekend with a painting exhibition. With that, it has joined the growing list of old and forgotten toilets, warehouses, shipping containers, and train stations that have been converted into bustling galleries, bars, pubs, boutiques, museums and even holiday homes.

Staying on the loo beat alone, examples are aplenty, especially in Europe. Formerly a Victorian-style lavatory, Attendant in London is now an award-winning breakfast and espresso bar. The Edwardian Cloakroom in Bristol has become an art space. In the UK, Leak sells gifts, and The Theatre of Small Convenience hosts actors and audiences. Pillai, an art curator and a pinhole photographer from Tamil Nadu, however, isn’t aware of any such toilet transformation in India.

A business unfinished

Except for its name, the facade that’s painted deep yellow, and the toilet symbol on Google Maps, nothing in this Ooty gallery hints at its smelly past. Pillai, who moved here in 2016 from Goa, says, “This loo was set up by the municipality in 1992. But eight years ago, they introduced bio-toilets instead and closed it down.”

That this 700 sqft was lying unused right in the middle of Charring Cross, an important junction in Ooty, didn’t seem right to Pillai. “Last November, I was participating in a clean-up drive organised by Shobana and Anita. They are entrepreneurs, who hold clean-up drives in Ooty quite actively. On our way back, we got talking about this toilet. It was overflowing with drainage water, and smelling so horrible that I could not go inside. But I had a hunch that if we were to transform it into something appealing, it will work because of its location,” says Pillai, who led the artistic side of the project.

The local administration liked the plan too, sent its engineers to break down the commodes, washbasins and dividers, and “even bore 80 per cent of the budget (of `5 lakh)”. In a month, the toilet was gone, and the gallery was in.

Unexpected compliments are pouring in. “Now shopkeepers in the area have started beautifying their spaces with colourful paint and flower pots,” says the 42-year-old Pillai, rather proudly. Plus, “An old sanitation worker told me she used to work at this toilet complex. Though it used to be smelly and filthy, it is where she earned her money. So she was happy to see it up again.”

ToiletArt02KF25mar2018

Reclaim and repeat

Pillai steers the chat back to the heart of the matter – reclaiming the underutilised resources and saving the planet. Pillai, who’s travelled across India to document the ills of mining, begins, “I don’t get this obsession of building new spaces. Look at everyone in the cities. They want to buy newly-built homes instead of moving into what already exists. Do they even know that all this come at the cost of the environment and exploitation. We mine sand and gravel from rivers and beaches, cut down trees, extract iron ores and what not. We destroy homes and backyards of people living in villages in India and poor countries to build our own shiny homes. It’s selfish.”

So if the world needs to rethink its centralised model of development and consumerist attitude more than ever, it is now, he adds quickly. “Upcycling and DIYing can do us good, so does the effective utilisation of big malls and suburban train stations like that in Chennai”. Take a look at Christiania in Denmark, he says. It used to be a military base of 84 acres until the 1970s. Now, artists and hippies have turned it into a community hub (though it remains controversial).

Art debate

But when defunct spaces can host the homeless, a school or a business, why usurp it for art? That too with the taxpayers’ money. Pillai was questioned about this, but he didn’t budge. “God is everywhere, so why build so many temples? For artists too, art is everywhere, even in garbage but, let’s face it, art does need a proper space,” he explains.

Turns out, Pillai had another agenda. “Nothing happens in Ooty pretty much after 5pm. I needed a space to bring people together for conversations and keep myself busy.”

Next month, he is getting art lovers over for an exhibition, which he calls ‘My Philosophy of Toilet’. “For many, toilet’s a place where ideas and innovations happen, it is the place where reforms and revolutions started…,” he signs off.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Opinion> Sunday Read / by Barkha Kumari, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / March 25th, 2018

Cauvery: A time to pause

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Nature, Records, All

The role played by Kodagu, which has nourished and nurtured the Cauvery over time, needs to be recognised.

The Supreme Court of India has determined the manner in which the waters of the Cauvery river are to be shared among the beneficiary States. In its recent judgment on the long-pending issue, the court virtually pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat. The decision has received with muted acceptance, understandably, by all concerned, and some token opposition.

The Cauvery dispute has been a long-standing issue among the States, each one trying to tweak the 1924 Agreement forged during the British administration. Much water has flowed down the river since, and each State was trying to secure the best deal for itself.

A noteworthy aspect is that the matter has engaged some of the brightest minds, be it engineering, law, administration or politics, and the fortunes of many rose and fell at each turn of events. The din has for the present subsided. The bigger and immediate challenge now is to save the river to ensure lasting harmony and sustained development of the beneficiary States of Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.

Amid all the arguments, the role played by Kodagu district in Karnataka, which has nourished, nurtured and nursed the river over time, has hardly been recognised or acknowledged.

Kodagu is part of the lower Western Ghats and at its highest point, is around 5,000 feet above sea level. Originally administered directly by the British from Madras, it became a Part ‘C’ State at the time of Independence, with its own legislature and Ministers. Subsequently, after the Reorganisation of States it became the smallest district, with a wealth of natural resources. It is in the Brahmagiri hills of Kodagu that the Cauvery rises and disappears, till it is seen again outside the boundaries of the district. The scenic beauty of the Brahmagiri range is a feast for any nature-lover. A mind-boggling phenomenon can be seen between October 14 to 17 every year unfailingly, when the Cauvery, which is nowhere to be seen, suddenly gushes forth from a spring and then swells into the river that bestows its bounty on millions of people along the way, till it reaches the Bay of Bengal in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.

Kodagu has the largest acreage under coffee in the country, with one of the Tata companies owning approximately 40,000 acres. Trees of vintage growth, bamboo, pepper vines, spices, fruits and other agricultural produce make Kodagu a nature’s paradise. Kodagu hosts many species of wildlife, including the tiger, making it an attractive tourist destination.

Kodavas, the numerically small Hindu ethnic community, are different from neighbouring communities in their costume, language, and social practices. Suffice it to say that they have distinguished themselves in many fields and contributed to India significantly. This, however, is not about the Kodavas.

Journey to Tamil Nadu

Abundant green cover in Kodagu is of vital importance as this will ensure that the district receives sufficient rainfall to bring the river to life and flow in all its glory up to Tamil Nadu. Unlike Himalayan rivers, which are snow-fed, the Cauvery depends primarily on the Southwest monsoon. The river is impounded at the Krishnaraja Sagar dam, outside Mysore, conceived and constructed during the British period by the legendary engineer Sir M. Visvesvaraya. From here water is released, reaching Tamil Nadu, where it is stored in the Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir). Further release of water is dependent on the agricultural requirements of farmers downstream.

It would be facile to assume that the court decision has solved all problems and that the States concerned will live happily ever after. In a year when there is copious rainfall in Kodagu and the Cauvery is in spate, Karnataka releases water freely, making a virtue out of necessity. There is then no need for any water- sharing formula. It is only in years when rainfall in Kodagu and the catchment of the Cauvery is below par that the problem arises. This results in constant wrangling, and heated arguments between the States over the quantity of water released, the timing of the release and the manner of release, often resulting in violence. Matters get worse if the ‘deficit’ year happens to be an election year. This is the real issue and to date no satisfactory acceptable formula for sharing the distress has evolved, nor is a sound mechanism in place, for delivery in such situations.

It would be relevant to examine data for the decade 2007-2008 to 2017-2018 relating to release of water. Flows received from Karnataka were measured at the Mettur Reservoir up to 2012-13, and from 2013-14, at the Biligundlu gauging site maintained by the Central Water Commission. Against an annual 205 tmc ft (thousand million cubic feet) at Mettur, only 69.727 tmc ft was realised in 2012-13. At Biligundlu, against an annual figure of 192 tmc ft, the receipt in 2015-16 was 15.385 tmc ft. In 2016-17 the figure was 69.316 tmc ft and in 2017-18 it was 113.084 tmc ft. The statement shows that in the preceding decade there was deficit in four years. This is a matter of concern.

Reason for ‘deficit’

The main reason for deficit is reduced rainfall in the catchment area of the Cauvery in Kodagu district, mainly on account of loss of ‘green cover’. One needs to understand the reason for this loss. It is stated that construction of high tension power lines across Kodagu required felling of large number of mature trees, which reduced the ‘green cover’ substantially along the alignment. Perhaps that was the price to be paid for providing sustained power supply to areas beyond Kodagu. But who paid the price? The farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were the ones directly affected, along with all those areas that depend on assured water supply, such as Bengaluru which supports major industrial activity and large populations. In recognition of this need, the Supreme Court has specifically earmarked a certain quantity of water for Bengaluru.

Disturbing news

A matter of serious concern is news that certain infrastructure projects have been lined up for implementation in Kodagu. Two railway lines are planned: the Mysore-Kushalnagar-Madikeri (Makkandur) line and the Thalasssery-Kodagu-Mysore line. Four National Highways are planned. These are the Mysore-Kodlipet-Sunticoppa-Madikeri- Gonikoppal- Kutta-Mananthawadi; the Bangalore-Bantwal highway via Kushalnagar and Madikeri; Pannathur-Bhagamandala-Madikeri, and Mattanur-Gonikoppal- Thithimathi-Hunsur. This will connect the new Mattanur airport to Mysore and Bangalore at a cost of Rs. 1,000 crore. Additionally, existing roads are to be upgraded into four-lane highways.

These projects will undoubtedly result in the felling of a large number of trees, constant influx of persons transiting Kodagu without any concern or commitment for the local environment, increasing issues of waste disposal and management. Many other unacceptable activities will disturb the ethos of Kodagu and its natural environment.

The question to be asked is whether Kodagu, which is the major watershed and catchment for the Cauvery, requires these projects that are likely to cause more harm to the beneficiary States, while bringing only marginal and doubtful benefits. The ryots in the Thanjavur delta of Tamil Nadu that covers vast acreage, the farmers of Mandya in Karnataka, the drinking water supply needs of burgeoning cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai and many areas in the other States will be affected by any reduction in the flows of the Cauvery. There is no indication that the long-term impacts of these actions have been considered. No consultation with local communities appears to have been done. The impression at the ground level is that a very short-sighted view has been taken, and these projects have been mooted at the instance of local politicians as part of vote bank politics, in some cases backed by lobbies eager to monetise the natural wealth that will need to be extracted before implementation.

The way forward

It is clear that India needs to walk the ‘development path’. The right way is ‘sustainable development’, which does not appear to be the case in respect of the above-mentioned projects. The waters of the Cauvery have nourished downstream civilisations for centuries. It is the life blood of the States that now comprise the region. The time has come to save the river, bring back its glory as a provider and nourisher of humans, enabling them to live in peace, harmony, and rise to their full potential in every sphere of endeavour. There is no case for inter-State political one-upmanship or victory or loss for any group. The goal and cause are one…. save the Cauvery for the good of all, for all time to come, by taking a long-term view. Everyone needs to be on the same page.

The following steps need to be taken immediately.

1. Suspend all infrastructure projects, proposed or under implementation, for six months or a year. This short postponement will give time to study the issues necessary for saving the Cauvery.

2. Set up a competent neutral body to assess the real need for connectivity through Kodagu with contiguous areas and examine alternative options.

3. Identify the best option that will cause least damage to the environment and catchment of the Cauvery.

4. Having completed the above three tasks, arrange for a ‘carrying capacity study’ to be done by a credible professional body.

5. On the basis of the findings of this study, the implementation of projects should be supervised by an empowered body to be named the ‘Kodagu Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Board’, with the Deputy Commissioner of the district as Chairman, and the representatives of different agencies and local non-officials as members, to ensure timely implementation in accordance with project specifications.

6. Quarterly meetings of Chief Secretaries of the four States to be convened by the board to update them on the progress and the status of safeguards for the Cauvery.

The need of the hour is statesmanship, avoiding political short-sightedness. It should not become a case of winning the battle of sharing the Cauvery waters and losing the war of saving the river for posterity.

The author, who retired from the Indian Administrative Service, has written this as a concerned citizen. Email: sonnabel@gmail.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Opinion> Open Page / by P.M. Belliappa / March 18th, 2018

Rains in Karnataka seen good for next coffee crop

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

The blossom showers and the subsequent backing showers are crucial for a good crop. - NS The blossom showers and the subsequent backing showers are crucial for a good crop. – NS

Bengaluru :

For the beleaguered growers of robusta coffees in Karnataka, the largest producer of the bean, the ongoing spell of rains has raised the hopes for next crop year starting October 2018.

The low pressure and depression off the West Coast has brought rains to several parts of the key coffee growing regions of Kodagu, Chikmagaluru and Hassan among other districts in Karnataka, which accounts for over 70 per cent of the coffee produced in the country.

Crucial showers

The pre-monsoon showers are crucial for blossoming of the coffee floral buds. The blossom showers and the subsequent backing showers are crucial for a good crop. Traditionally, the robusta and arabica areas should receive pre-monsoon showers by March 15 and April 15, respectively, for a good blossom, growers said.

“For the growers who had taken up irrigation through sprinklers for robustas from late February and where coffee has blossomed, the current spell of rains are acting as backing showers,” said HT Pramod, Chairman, Karnataka Planters’ Association. The rains will be of some help for the growers, who have harvested a poor robusta crop this year.

“The current spell of rains are good for the coffee sector as a whole. However, the rainfall has not been uniform and several robusta areas in Kodagu have not received the rains. The forecast is that it would rain for the next two days and we are hoping for some good showers,” said N Bose Mandanna, a grower in Suntikoppa.

Coffee growers have suffered from a poor crop and bearish price trend this year. Robusta growers have seen their crop shrink by up to 40 per cent in several areas on account of erratic rainfall last year.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> Specials / by The Hindu Bureau / Bengaluru – March 16th, 2018

A welcome retreat

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

RetreatKF14mar2018

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

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature

KaveriKF28feb2018

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

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

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)
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

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

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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

Brewing higher profits and saving birds on the farm

Agriculture, Coffee News, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
A velvet-fronted-Nuthatch in a plantation.
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

Mahouts, kavadis felicitated for their services

Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All, Sports
Mahout Vasantha and Gundu and kavadis Jaibal and Ravi being felicitated by retired secretary for forests A C Lakshmana and his wife Savithri at Mathigodu Elephant Camp, in Virajpet taluk, Kodagu district, on Wednesday. ACF S R Prasanna Kumar, RFO Y K Kiran Kumar and veterinarian Dr Mujeeb ur Rehman are seen.
Mahout Vasantha and Gundu and kavadis Jaibal and Ravi being felicitated by retired secretary for forests A C Lakshmana and his wife Savithri at Mathigodu Elephant Camp, in Virajpet taluk, Kodagu district, on Wednesday. ACF S R Prasanna Kumar, RFO Y K Kiran Kumar and veterinarian Dr Mujeeb ur Rehman are seen.

In recognition of their services, mahouts Vasantha and Gundu and kavadis Jaibal and Ravi were felicitated by retired secretary for forests A C Lakshmana at Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Virajpet taluk, under Nagarhole National Park, on Wednesday.

It has to be recalled that Jaibal and Ravi, caretakers of elephant Drona, successfully took part in the operation to rescue a rogue elephant at Nagavara in Alur taluk, Hassan district, recently. Another elephant, Gopalaswamy, from Veeranahosahalli camp had taken part in the operation.

Jaibal and Ravi could complete the operation even though Drona was attacked by the rogue elephant, which was in ‘mast’. “Drona was injured but he recovered in a few minutes and joined Gopalaswamy to complete the operation,” Jaibal said.

Vasantha is the mahout of Abhimanyu, the star trouble shooter. Vasantha said, “Abhimanyu has taken part in 30 operations to rescue rogue elephants in Hassan district alone. He has taken part in various elephant rescue operations across India whenever there was a man-animal conflict. Besides, he was instrumental in rescuing seven tigers. When my father Sanappa was his mahout, Drona had rescued 12 elephants in Madhya Pradesh,” he said.

Assistant Conservator of Forests S R Prasanna Kumar said Vasantha was also on a 10-day tour to Indonesia, along with Nayaz from Dubare camp, to train the elephant caretakers in that country.

A C Lakshmana said that elephants are the most intelligent animals on earth and their caretakers understand them well and train them accordingly. “The services of the elephant caretakers to the Forest department in tackling man-animal conflict and in conserving the nature is commendable. They work under adverse conditions. So, it is our responsibility to recognise their services,” he said.

He said that even though there is a general feeling among the people that ‘kheda’ (operation of rescuing elephants) has been stopped, only ‘kheda’ as a sport has been stopped. “The last kheda as sport was held at Kakanakote forest in 1972, and in 1962, even then President Rajendra Prasad was witness to ‘kheda’. However, all rescue operations of elephants, during man-animal conflict, are similar to ‘kheda’. Now, the officials have the option to use tranquilisers in case the operation becomes difficult,” he said.

Range Forest Officer Y K Kiran Kumar said, till recently, there were 38 elephants in Mathigodu camp, but four of them have been given to Chhattisgarh while another four have been shifted to nearby camps, where availability of fodder is adequate.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DH News Service, Mysuru / February 14th, 2018

Awareness programme on forest fire

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
An awareness rally on forest fire was held in Gonikoppa.
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