Bopanna urges fans to shun cockfighting in Peta Ad
As part of an ad campaign for PETA, tennis star Rohan Bopanna has urged his fans to stay away from cockfighting, a blood sport in which roosters are placed in a ring and forced to fight to death.
Posing with rescued rooster Smack, he appears next to the words ‘Tennis Is a Sport — Cockfighting Is Not’.
The visual for the campaign was shot by ace photographer Sam Mohan.
In December 2014, Bopanna had caged himself holding a sign that proclaims ‘Try to Relate to Their Fate.
Say No to Cockfighting’, as part of a similar ad campaign.PTI
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> In School /PTI / New Delhi – July 20th, 2016
India’s coffee production is expected to drop by 8.05 per cent during 2016-17 compared to a record production of 3.48 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 owing to high temperature during summer months.
For the year 2016-17, the Coffee Board placed the post-blossom crop forecast at 3.20 lakh tonnes, comprising one lakh tonnes of Arabica and 2.20 lakh tonnes of Robusta, an overall decline of 28,000 tonnes (-8.05%) over the previous year.
The drop is mainly in Karnataka (22,175 tonnes) followed by Kerala (6,730 tonnes). The causes could be the delayed blossom and showers coupled with high temperatures especially in major coffee growing areas of Karnataka and Kerala.
In most of the coffee areas of Karnataka, estates with irrigation facilities have irrigated their Robusta plantations for one round of blossom during February-March and with one round of backing irrigation. However, due to absence of subsequent natural showers, even the irrigated estates have suffered some setback due to prevailing high temperatures, according to Coffee Board officials.
Scattered, uneven blossom
Coffee growing regions of Karnataka received the first spell of summer showers only in April and these showers were scanty and isolated. These showers did not cause any blossom in Arabica estates but resulted in scattered, uneven blossom in un-irrigated Robusta fields, which constitute about 40 per cent of the Robusta area in Karnataka.
Officials said this resulted in pinking and scorching of buds in Robusta. The growers were unable to take up supplementary irrigations to top up the scanty showers due to drying up of water resources.
The post-blossom estimate of Arabica for 2016-17 has shown a decrease of -3.38% (3,500 tonnes) over the corresponding figure of 2015-16, while the Robusta estimate has shown a decrease of -10.02 per cent (24,500 tonnes) over the last year’s figure (2015-16).
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / Nagesh Prabhu / Bengaluru – July 19th, 2016
For Forest Department officials, illegal trekking remains a problem in Chikkamagaluru, Chamarajanagar and Dakshina Kannada districts. File photo: K. Murali Kumar
Recent arrest of trekkers for violating forest rules shows the kind of confusion in eco-tourism sector
What starts off as an innocuous desire to explore the lush forests and towering peaks of the State, sometimes ends up as an interrogation by a forest officer or at the local police station. For 18 trekkers from Bengaluru, the experience was all too real when they arrived at M.M. Hills. Organised through a travel portal, they landed in the forests of Chamrajanagar, only to be rounded up by the officials of the Forest Department for illegally trespassing into a wildlife sanctuary.
This experience, however, is not uncommon, particularly with adventure portals, trekking clubs and informal groups increasing in number to catch up with the demand for trekking.
“We had no idea that the trek was illegal. As a portal, we rely on the vendors who offer these treks … it is up to them to obtain the required permissions. We relied entirely on the local guide … since there are no boards or signs demarcating revenue and forest land, those in the trek did not know they had strayed into a forest range,” said Pradyot Punj of the portal adventuresome.in, which organised the trek.
Portals insist responsibility lies on the vendors — locals offering the trek — and participants are made to sign an indemnity contract fixing responsibility of any eventualities on the guides themselves. “After this experience, we will ensure that all vendors have the required permissions. Many organisations are not aware of this,” added Mr. Punj.
Business-minded
An increase in for-profit companies over the last two years has seen rampant flouting of rules, says Niranjan Kumar, an avid trekker, who organises hiking outings on a voluntary basis. “These companies tend to rely on locals looking to make a quick buck. We have seen them litter and burst crackers to make it seem like a party for gullible participants. What costs us Rs. 300 to organise will be charged Rs. 1,400 by some companies. It has become less about nature and more about commerce. This gives a bad name to all trekkers,” he said.
The Kodagu experience
In Kodagu, which attracts thousands of Bengaluru residents on weekends, the trek through the reserve forest at Thadiyandamol — the highest peak in the district — was proving to be a headache for the officials of the Forest Department. “There used to be night treks offered by coffee plantations and home stays in the area. We have put an end to it by posting a watcher there. Also, boards have been installed to warn trekkers,” said Manoj Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests (Kodagu).
For Forest Department officials, illegal trekking remains a problem in Chikkamagaluru, Chamarajanagar and Dakshina Kannada districts. The emphasis, instead, is on the Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board to increase the number of trails that are offered legally. “After the monsoons, we will be offering more trails and ensure that trekking and hiking can be done in a regulated manner,” said Vijay Mohan Raj, Additional CEO of the Board.
No night trek near Bengaluru
Benglauru may see more hiking trails once the monsoon clouds clear. The Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board has proposed opening of trails such as Skandagiri, Savandurga, and Madhugiri. However, the once popular night treks — done surreptitiously over the years — will remain banned as forest officials emphasise that large-scale human movement adversely disturbs nocturnal animals
Will an app clear the confusion?
With eco-tourism, particularly trekking, remaining shrouded in confusion and bureaucracy, the Forest Department hopes to bring in some clarity by launching “myecotrip,” a mobile application.“From zoo tickets to bookings in jungle lodges to trekking trails, this app will allow citizens to directly connect with the nature activity of their choice,” said Vijay Mohan Raj, Additional CEO of the Karnataka EcoTourism Development Board. The app, however, will be launched only in September after the monsoon and when forest trails will once again be open to trekkers.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / Mohit M Rao / Bengaluru – July 13th, 2016
Hill slopes blanketed with coffee estates, foggy climate, and fairly adamant rains are what Kodava Nadu welcomes you with during the monsoons.
The Kodagu region’s salubrious weather makes it an ideal getaway for weekend treks, and the Kopatty trail comes highly recommended. One of the lesser known trails of the region, Kopatty takes you through coffee plantations, forest areas, and a massive grassland before taking you to the summit. This entire trek takes about three hours to complete.
Typically a day trek, it’s best to start your journey towards Kopatty early in the morning, closer to the sunrise, but during the rains it’s quite difficult to see one, so you could start as per your convenience as long as you keep track of time.
Reaching Kopatty is easy; get to Madikeri a day ahead. From there take a bus to Bhagamandala or to Tala-Cauvery and get off at Charambane village. It takes about an hour to reach the village from Madikeri. Many people make a stop at Tala-Cauvery to see the origins of the Cauvery rive, but at this time you can’t really see much thanks to the rains. Having said that, the thick fog and continuous rains can be an extraordinary experience. From Charambane Village, head towards the Bhagamandala route for another kilometre, and you will reach Kopatty Temple, which is where the trail begins.
Charambane is nestled between thick forest cover; it’s a small village with light population, and a few shops selling food and beverages for the trekkers. This is also last place where you’ll see any human settlement before you start your trek. Pick up some essentials from the stores here if you’ve missed carrying anything.
The walk into the forest begins at Kopatty Temple. You can meet the locals, or even guides at the base of the hill who help you into the trail. There are also jeeps available in case you want a ride all the way to the top. But there’s not much fun in that is there?
The start of the trail is a tarred road, with paddy fields on either side. The muddy path for jeeps begin soon after, as do the coffee plantations. The road is fairly flat for a few kilometres till you reach a small stream, the first one on the trail. After that the steep climb through the forest begins. It will lead you to a ‘Y’ junction; take the left from there as the trail narrows down, and you’ll find two abandoned houses. Take a right from the houses, and you will be inside the forest. Hereon, the trails gets very little natural light, thanks to the canopied trees, and you need to focus on where you’re going. Also be aware of bugs and leeches. Hold branches to move ahead, but don’t lean against the trees because they’re usually crawling with large ants.
After a while you will spot the second stream on the trail; it’s a small one, and you can rest here for a while before moving forward. You can even drink this water.
As you move forward, you will leave the forest area and be in the middle of a beautiful meadow. On your right will be the dense forest area, and on your left will be the beautiful valleys of the region. And if you look ahead, you can see the Kopatty peak in front of you. The path from here is literally like walking on a carpet. It should take you about 10 minutes to reach the peak, which is said to be at a height of 4,500 feet above sea level. From here you get a magnificent view of the Western Ghats as well.
The descent will have you walk towards Kallugundi across the Kopatty ridge and you will head towards the valley on the left. It will lead you back to the forest from where the climb down is steep, with lots of slippery paths, and dried leaves.
GETTING THERE
Kopatty Village is around 296 kilometres from Bangalore. It can be reached by either bus or a private transport. There are buses from Bangalore to Madikeri too.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Columns> Others / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / by Kumaran P / July 05th, 2016
Allocation of money for Cauvery River development on the lines of the funds for purification of Ganges River has been sought by environment organisations.—PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN
Olirum Erodu Foundation has teamed up with Annai Cauvery River Protection Trust to carry out remediation of environmental pollution in the Cauvery River.
The two organisations have resolved to organise a ‘padayatra’ from Talacauvery on the Brahmagiri hill in Kodagu district, Karnataka, to Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu, on July 10 to create public awareness on the need for Central and State governments to earmark funds for Cauvery River Rejuvenation Project.
They have taken the expertise of Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to implement their action plan.
Pamphlets being distributed by the Trust lists a set of responsibilities of the governments that include a special drive for raising lakhs of trees in Brahmagiri range in Kodagu district for more rain at Talacauvery.
Stringent measures to prevent mixing of sewage and industrial pollutants into river water, strengthening of embankments and construction of check dams across the river to prevent draining of water accruing from monsoon rains into the sea; and formation of a separate ministry for safeguarding and developing Cauvery River.
Participants at the consultative meeting chaired by the vice-chairman of Olirum Erodu Foundation (OEF) D. Venkateswaran constituted Swami Ramananda, OEF chairman M. Chinnasamy; and secretary S. Ganesan, emphasised on allocation of money for Cauvery River development on the lines of the funds for purification of Ganges River.
A. Sridhar, Regional Project Officer (South India) with National Water Mission & Tata Institute of Social Sciences – Water Project, the special invitee for the meeting, joined other speakers in calling for nationalisation of rivers and linking of the rivers in the Southern States to begin with.
Suggestions for environmental remediation were also offered by historian Kaniyan Balan, coordinator of Erodai K. Sudakar, Secretary of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam Subbu, and organising secretary Logusamy.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Erode – June 13th, 2016
Trekking to Thadiayandamol, the highest peak in Kodagu and the second highest in Karnataka, has been banned temporarily due to the movement of wild elephants in the vicinity.
A herd of 10-12 elephants has been camping near the hill after escaping from nearby forest and have wrecked havoc by destroying banana, arecanut and coffee plantations in Yavakapadi, Marandoda and Chelavara villages.
Forest officials said they are making efforts to drive these elephants back into the woods and till then, entry to trekkers and tourists will be restricted. They said it may take some time due to heavy rains in the region.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / June 12th, 2016
Railway minister Suresh Prabhu’s plans to get Kodagu on the rail map has run into trouble with Kodavas asking him not to extend the proposed Mysuru-Kushalnagar rail line.
The project was announced in this year’s budget. Following an RTI query by an environmentalist, railways officials have revealed that there are plans to extend the rail line to Madikeri and Makkanduru, a tiny village 3.5 km from Madikeri. Alarmed by the development, Kodavas living in Mysuru and Kodagu and environmentalists, too, have started tweeting urging him to stop the extension plan.
The online petition has got 11,976 signatures. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu has responded to the petitions and tweeted that he will go through the project in detail.
Aiyappa from Kodagu working in Vrindavan Hospital Mysuru told TOI that the railway project connecting Kushalnagar has not yet got the green signal. He fears that the line to Makkanduru village will affect Kodagu district’s natural resources.
Petitioners Sundar Muthanna, Shristi Kukreja and Fehmi Mohammad have started a campaign through www. Change.orglink. They fear that the estates and forests in Kodagu will be with the railway track. River Cauvery which is the lifeline of South India is under threat, claims the petition.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / June 11th, 2016
On the eve of World Environment Day, Pamela Malhotra tells SRAVASTI DATTA about re-examining our obsession with technology and our lifestyles choices can have an impact on the environment
A.K.Malhotra and Pamela Malhotra
Her story is well-known. About two decades ago, Pamela Malhotra and her husband Dr. A.K. Malhotra bought 55-acres of land in the Western Ghats in Kodagu district, with the intention of reforesting the land that had fallen into various states of misuse. They Pamela and her husband were in the U.S. before they relocated to this land, in the Brahmagiri range, that is about 40 minutes away from Srimangala.
“K.M. Chinnappa of Wildlife First was the Warden at Nagarhole National Park when we first came to India in January of 1986. He It was he who encouraged us to buy land to protect in the Coorg/Kodagu district. We also met Ullas Karanth on that trip and also network with Ravi Chengappa of Cauvery Sene on environmental issues in the district,” says Pamela, who has dedicated her life toin protecting wildlife and the environment, and is a well-known speaker on climate change, watershed protection, bio-diversity and species extinction. Today that land has been converted into a 300-acres SAI (Save Animals Initiative) sanctuary of rich foliage and diverse species.
“The process took a long time. Did we ever expect to have the sanctuary we have today? No!” says Pamela, who was one of the speakers at the recently-concluded TedxBangalore.
“We took advice from the former owner of the 55 acres of land and the adivasis, because they have the knowledge of the native trees needed in that area. You need to understand which tree species belong where. The land was in various different conditions. The parts where cardamom was grown, there were a lot of shade trees, because cardamom requires a lot of shade, big native trees. But in the coffee plantations, big trees were taken out and there were smaller trees, because coffee requires sunlight. But coffee prices got de-regulated, so the cardamom plantations were pulled out, and they cut down the big trees. That was the first wave of deforestation. The second was when unregulated home stays were being built.”
Pamela says the Kodagu district is the source of fresh water for the Southern Indian peninsula. And so every drop of water that we take for granted in our cities is extremely precious. Bengaluru due to rapid, and often mindless, development is desperately holding on to the last vestiges of being a garden city. Even though forests do not lie within our immediate surroundings, we often take them for granted. Pamela says scientific studies have shown that 50 per cent of rainwater comes from forests, much more than oceans. So do we in our technology-obsessed cities have a responsibility towards Nature? Yes. Does the action of a single individual have an effect on climate change and conservation? Yes. Pamela says it is essential, therefore, to examine one’s lifestyle. “To save water, there is rainwater harvesting, recharging groundwater and conserving water. We also have to examine our obsession with technology. Do we need the latest iphone? Do we really need the latest tech toys? Rare earth minerals and materials are used in computers and mobile phones. And those materials, are just that, rare!”
Some of the measures we adopt to control diseases in cities is way off the mark. “Tanks are being poisoned to get rid of mosquitoes. But instead of poisoning tanks, see how we can breed frogs because they eat insects and mosquitoes. Swallows eat 2,000 mosquitoes! You could plant trees and small bushes in your backyard. It will also bring back small wildlife like butterflies and birds.”
Elephant at SAI Sanctuary in Coorg
Pamela says conserving our rainforests is about survival. “It’s not a touchy-feely thing,” she emphasises. She reveals trivia about wildlife that is relatively unknown: “Elephants are the number one protectors of the forest. Recent studies by the Indian Institute of Science have shown the comparison between elephant impact on protection versus the roaming of domestic cattle. Elephants cover a 1000 square kilometre radius, while cattle cover a five km radius. Elephants also consume wholeseed, so they are scattered in their dung across a wide distance. It has also been proven that the seed in elephant dung sprouts much faster than those that even fall directly from trees.”
****
Brimming with wildlife, you can spot these at the SAI Sanctuary
Animals
Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Bonnet Macaque, Jackal, Fox
Birds
Little cormorant, Little egret, Oriental honey buzzard, Butterflies, Malabar spotted flat, Pygmy scrub hopper
Snakes
King Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Common Sand Boar
***
Green up, clean up your city
Conserve water, resort to rainwater harvesting and charging underground water
Think about our obsession with technology. Do we really need the latest i-phone and tech toy? Rare earth material goes into the making of them. And as the name suggests, rare earth material is really, rare!
Plant trees or grow small bushes in your backyard. That will help attract small wildlife, like butterflies and small birds. Swallows, for example, can eat up to 2,000 mosquitoes, which can prevent diseases like malaria and dengue.
Instead of poisoning tanks to get rid of mosquitoes think of earth-friendly options such as frogs who eat mosquitoes
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / Sravasti Datta / Bengaluru – June 03rd, 2016
In an unusual act, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has stepped in to save three tree species, especially in Coorg. It has asked the state government to withdraw its notification that included the three species, Hebbevu (Melia dubia), Belanji (Acrocarpous fraxnifolious) and mango, in the list of 23 trees exempted from the forest act which forbids tree felling.
The commission decided to act as the March 2015 notification was being misused to fell these trees rampantly in Coorg by the timber mafia. The commission, besides directing the authorities to check cases where the notification has been allegedly misused, sought a report by the state government. SHRC passed the order on May 21 after hearing a complaint filed by local activist K A Ravi Chengappa.
It’s an unusual action for the SHRC which deals with human rights violations, to take up the cause of maintaining green cover.
But this has been done considering it as one of key aspects supporting human existence. Chengappa is fighting an uphill battle to retain the greenery in Coorg. He has filed petitions with the High Court, Supreme Court and SHRC.
He had earlier filed complaints with the forest department and the Lokayukta too.
Chengappa said, “The order was being blatantly misused by those in illegal timber trade. Some forest officials were also handin- glove with them.” He said, “Only tree species grown by farmers in Coorg – like lemon, coffee and sapota (sapodilla) were exempted earlier (2002 and 2004). Now though including new species requires legislation, three species were included by the state government last year. Because of this exemption, Belanji which is a fine soft wood and which has grown naturally, is being felled rampantly. Wild mango, which is spread across forests and yields high value wood, is being rampantly cut and transported from forests. Even those in private lands are cut and transported. These species are spread across Coorg, Chikkamaga lur and Mangaluru which are part of Western Ghats. The government notification has proved detrimental and over 30-40 lakh trees face the threat of being cut.”
CG Hungund, SHRC member who has taken up the case, said, “The state government notification has many loopholes.
Prior to such orders, there should have been a mechanism of self-declaration by the land owners in place. This could have given figures on the number of trees. But now, there is no such thing. The trees are cut and transported haphazardly from the reserve forests. There is no proper mechanism to monitor the cutting and accountability is absent. Hence the government has been asked to withdraw the order as it may prove dangerous to state forests.”
Hungund has asked the chief secretary and principal chief conservator of forests to reconsider the notification and submit an action taken report within six weeks. Though the petitioner was successful in making government withdraw mango from notification, the other trees are being felled, SHRC brass said.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Chetan R, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / May 28th, 2016
Verdant forests, picturesque mountains, lush coffee plantations — for many, Coorg is the perfect place to unwind. However, it was a different quest which took Arshiya Bose to the coffee land. A PhD holder in geography and environmental science from the University of Cambridge, she visited Coorg as part of a research project. Her mission — to make coffee production environment-friendly.
Realizing not all is well with the current production process — use of pesticides, exploitation of farmers, growth of coffee in the sun instead of shade — Arshiya, 32, started looking for ways to make it sustainable. She wanted to address these problems by adopting a holistic approach that ensures the well-being of both the environment and the coffee producers. The result — Black Baza Coffee, an entrepreneurial idea currently being incubated at the NS Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL), IIM Bangalore. The centre mentors innovators and supports their ventures.
During her research, Ashriya got the opportunity to work with forest dwellers and tribal communities in the Western Ghats, which helped her get closer to her goal. “I studied the social and environmental impacts of coffee production and found there were a number of problems no one was doing anything about. Traditionally, coffee in India has been grown under the shade of trees. But now, it is grown directly under the sun’s harsh rays, which adversely impacts biodiversity. Also, the trade market is extremely unfair to the producers, with the exploitation levels being very high. To fix the loopholes in the social and environmental ecosystem, I started Black Baza Coffee,” said Arshiya, who has tied up with many producers.
So far, the Kolkata resident has got 35 coffee producers on board, of whom 31 are marginal farmers from Biligiriranga Hills in Chamarajnagar. All of them are small growers —they own farms spanning less than 25 acres. “Under our partnership, we promise to buy coffee from farmers, support them through agronomic training and quality improvement and build safeguards for unforeseen price crashes. Many small growers are exploited and we hope to be the most fair buyer of their product ensuring they get their due,” said the young entrepreneur.
Explaining the potential of the idea, professor Suresh Bhagavatula, chairperson, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development, NSRCEL, IIMB said, “Coffee is among the top five most popular legally traded products in the world, including oil. It is a $90 billion industry and supports about 75 million people. While India is among the top 10 coffee-producing nations, it accounts for about 3.5% of the world exports. Unlike the rest of the world where sustainability and fair trade are becoming important for consumers, it is yet to catch on in India”.
“Black Baza Coffee would like to market the produce from farmers who practice sustainable methods for production. Consumption of coffee in India has started to increase, which will make it more feasible for ventures such as BBC to be established and serve the local markets as well,” Suresh added.
MUTUAL BENEFIT
We make conversational agreements with farmers and enter into a mutual understanding with them to grow coffee under certain kinds of trees, restrict the use of pesticides and protect their water resources. In return, Black Baza Coffee guarantees to buy coffee from these farmers at a higher premium
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / Shilpa Baburaj, TNN / May 25th, 2016
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