Category Archives: Green Initiatives / Environment

400 KV- HT line passing through Kodagu Reserve Forest

July 2, 2014Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

No justification to sacrifice natural forests

by Dr. Kodira A. Kushalapa, IFS (Retd.) and former RCCF, Bhopal under MoEF

Forests all over the world are being threatened with the rise of human population, leading to the increased level of Co2 in the atmosphere, global warming, climate change, submersion of low lying areas due to the rise of water levels in the oceans, disappearing forest areas and trees etc. Therefore, we have to take all possible measures to save natural forests, not only for our survival but also for the future generations to come.

The Central Government has added Article 48A and 51A (g) to our Constitution to protect and improve our environment, safeguard forests and wildlife and we citizens are obliged, duty-bound and responsible to save these natural resources. The common phrase is: think globally but act locally. This will apply in this case also while considering the route for High Tension (HT) line through natural reserve forests of Kodagu.

Fortunately, there are two or three alternate routes to draw the transmission line avoiding natural forests. Therefore, there is ample justification to avoid forests on a priority basis, to save and conserve forests locally. The value of forests cannot be just the timber and firewood value down to certain minimum girth of standing trees, for comparing the costs but should be the value of whole forest ecosystem called environmental values or ecological benefits, which will be lost permanently after clearing the forests.

These values include the absorption of Co2, production and release of oxygen by all plants existing, habitat for birds and wildlife, soil and water conservation, adding fertility to soil etc. These environmental values are far more than whatever the total cost of laying the linear line and is not comparable. Thus the question of shortest route through the forests for cost-cutting is ruled out in the interest of saving forests. The Power Grid Corporation can recover the extra cost by increasing the tariff per unit of electricity.

The HT line can go through the D-line between the erstwhile Coorg and Mysore States, which is now the D-line between Kodagu and Mysore districts, where due to the annual D-line clearances earlier, the trees are smaller in size and less in numbers. The proposed HT line is running almost parallel to the D-line and hence a more feasible alternate route.

The other route is by upgrading the present 220 KV line for which the necessary permission under the Forest Conservation Act 1980 has been already obtained to pass through the National park and requires the replacement of towers only. It is almost a straight line passing through H.D. Kote and D.B. Kuppe. The temporary problem of the PG Corporation is that during the progress of upgrading the 220 KV, they have to de-activate the present line and is left to them to solve by fast progress and using the other grid lines.

The third alternate is to take up the line through an underground tunnel which will be at an exorbitant cost and not feasible through forest areas with standing trees and their root systems.

The FC Act envisages to take up compensatory afforestation in new areas equal in extent of area (twice the extent in forest area) diverted for non-forestry purposes by the forest department at user’s cost. But the fact is that nobody can re-create a “natural forest,” which has by a series of succession over centuries, stabilised into a climax type of forests with rich biodiversity. But at the most we can create a “plantation forest” of few species only, if the new compensated area is good for growing trees. If such plantations are raised in semi-arid regions like Bijapur and Gulburga for want of land in Kodagu, there will be complete failure of the objectives of compensatory plantation. Similar type of areas only should be allotted for compensatory afforestation. It is therefore imperative and justifiable to protect and conserve the existing natural forests than going for compensatory plantations that too, when alternate routes are available for linear projects.

[e-mail: kodira1@hotmail.com/ Mob: 94480-58549]

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Friday – June 27th, 2014

‘Panel on deemed forest land to meet within a week’

June 24, 2014About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, Alladmin

The district-level committee formed to do a reality check of the deemed forest land in Kodagu district will convene its first meeting in a week and is likely to submit a comprehensive report to the government within six months.

The committee chaired by the deputy commissioner comprises of the deputy conservator of forest, deputy director of land records and officers from revenue and forest departments.

In order to verify the report submitted by an experts committee on deemed forest in 2002, the State government has formed district committee in district level, zonal committee in revenue level and state committee in state level.

According to sources, the district committee will conduct a survey in the district and prepare a report on deemed forest scenario in Kodagu. The functioning of the district committee will be supervised by the zonal committee and state committee on a time bound manner and give suggestions as and when required.

What is deemed forest

If a land has the features of forest, where trees are grown outside the purview of government recognised forest land, it is called as deemed forest. The experts committee formed in 2002 had put the deemed forest land figure in the State at 9,94,881 hectare. About 69,205 hectare deemed forest land identified in Kodagu district, also comprises of Bane, Paisari, Kumki Malai, C and D land and plantation.

It all started with the Supreme Court directing all states to provide information about the forest land, during the hearing of Godavarman Thirumalapad case in 1995. As per the order, the Karnataka government formed the first experts committee, which submitted the report to the government on April 2, 1997.

While submitting the report before the apex court, the government stated that it has completed the process of identifying the area which has been officially declared as forest land. The government requested additional time for identifying the forest land which has not been officially declared.

On observing the delay by the Karnataka government in submitting the report, the Central Empowered Committee of the SC took the government to task, following which the government revised the experts committee.

This second committee identified 33,24,854 hectare land as notified forest and 9,94,881 hectare as deemed forest. The committee, in fact, included even the barren forest land as deemed forest. It also included C and D land, Bane and Paisari.

Due to identifying even Paisari land as deemed forest in various districts including Kodagu, the government is neither able to take up various projects in this land, nor it can make sites to be distributed to poor. Even the work on providing basic facilities like construction of road can not be taken up.

In several cases, the revenue land (Paisari) which has been sanctioned to beneficiaries under Akrama Sakrama, is also considered in the list of deemed forest, due to which RTC can not be made in the name of beneficiaries. To solve the impeding problem the new committee has been formed for conducting a joint survey.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Shrikanth Kallammanavar / Madikeri, DHNS – June 19th, 2014

400 KV Line : Expert panel gathers public opinion

June 19, 2014About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

Kodagu residents oppose the project

Madikeri :

A three members Technical Experts’ Committee visited Kodagu district on Thursday to study the possibilities of finding an alternate route to lay 400 KV hi-tension line from Kozhikode in Kerala to Mysore. This has come up in the backdrop of stern opposition from the people against the electricity line passing through Kodagu district.

The committee members visited the places in and around Maldare where the project is implemented and collected public opinion. Representatives from various organisations, including Viju Biddappa from Maldare, Kaveri Sene President Raghu Machaiah, Convener Ravi Chengappa, K.C. Subbaiah, Basavana Devana Bana Trust President B.C. Nanjappa, Chennayyana Kote Gram Panchayat member Shyam, Coorg Wildlife Society President Colonel C.P. Muthanna and others, shared their opinions.

They all said that thousands of trees will be felled if the line passes through Kodagu. This will have negative impact on the environment, wildlife and coffee growers. Therefore, an alternate route has to be found out for laying the wires, they insisted.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Committee Head R.S. Shivakumar Aradhya said that a lot of factors like environment and technical feasibility and project expenditure has to be taken into consideration while finding an alternate route. “We will submit the report to the government within a month. We will visit Kutta and surrounding region on Friday and examine the problem,” he said.

The government formed the Committee chaired by Shivakumar Aradhya, in response to the continuous opposition and protest by villagers and various organisations opposing the project. Forest Department senior officials Ajay Mishra and elephant expert Sukumaran are the other two members of the Committee.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 14th, 2014

A Friendly Solitude

June 3, 2014About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

Kodaimelanadu or Kodagu or Coorg is an hour-long drive from Mysore along winding roads that take you through a collage of colours which explode into shades of greens, browns and yellows. As you squint through the green fabric, plantations of coffee, cardamom and pepper speed by, merging with larger forestscape. The hiss of the tyres accentuate the haunting solitude of the journey; no wonder Coorg is called the Scotland of the East.

Much of Coorg is about coffee and a fair amount of cardamom and pepper. Siddapur district seemed a tree-shadowed coffee estate, dotted with contradictions—a few market places, seedy bars, pork shops and elegant vegetable displays. As we travelled, we grew wiser about coffee: its history, its clandestine entry into India, and the difference between arabica and robusta. The British brought coffee to Coorg. The first estate was established way back in 1850s by an Englishman, John Frawler.

Coorg seems to be made for introverts, there is an overwhelming feeling of seclusion, where from a distance you can spot a coffee pod, but it is difficult to spot your immediate neighbour. It is an immense aviary, and home to nearly a quarter of the bird population of Karnataka. The tour guide seemed to be Coorgi Salim Ali; he knew the names of each and every bird. At times he even imitated their calls perfectly. Every hilly region has at least one well known waterfall, and in Coorg it is Abbey Falls that plunges down, separating some coffee and spice estates to join the river Kaveri. An army of clouds envelope the hill. The walk is enough to give anyone an appettite for the singular flavours of Kodava food. The central piece of Kodava cuisine is meat and rice. I tried the irresistible Pandi curry, a subtle pork dish, cooked well by adding a local fruit, Kanchampali. Dry spices are roasted before grounding them, giving a toasty flavour to the thick curry.

As night falls, the highlands of Kodagu become a magical place. The moon shines brightly and the trees are laden with millions of fireflies, as if decked up for some fat Indian wedding.

In the morning, the mist-laden verdant hills awaited in silence. The Dubare reserve encompasses 50,000 acres and is home to the elephants of the Western Ghats. Majestic rosewood, teak and other hardwood tree species stand around like sentinels. Giant parasitic vines are swathed around large banyans and other trees in a macabre bond. As Hansel and Gretel would’ve felt, the forest kept getting thicker and more enchanting. Below, the river Kaveri, flowed unmindful of the inter-state disputes. Grabbing a coracle, drifting on the green waters and gauging the moods of the river and the pristine surroundings is one way to experience Coorg.

Local myth says the invincible Coorgis descended from Alexander’s Macedonians. “Neither Tipu Sulatan, nor the British could conquer it,” said the guide. The place has a long history of war; the Madikeri fort is a living testimony to that. Built as a mud fort by Mudduraja in the 17th century, it was later rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan who renamed the site Jaffarabad. In the north-east corner at the entrance stand two life-size statues of elephants. A church stands in the south-east corner. The fort also houses a prison.

Among the other architectural treasures of Coorg is the Omkareshwara temple built by King Lingaraja in 1820, in a mosque-like style, with an impressive central dome and four minarets, which are surrounded by Basavas, or sacred bulls. On the top of the dome sits a gilded ball with a weathercock. The Raja’s seat is a small pavilion in a garden, offering a view of the green valley below, where it is said the kings of Coorg spent evenings with their consorts. From there, they would’ve seen the melting sun, parrot-green fields and the mountains sleeping in the mist as if time had dawdled here, mesmerised by the languid beauty of Kodagu.

To Reach: Madikeri is the nearest bus station. There are frequent buses from Mysore, Mangalore and Bangalore to Coorg.

To Stay: For luxury, the Orange Country Inn. For an authentic Coorg experience, try a planation home stay.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> LifeStyle> Travel / by Aakash Mehrotra / May 29th, 2014

Coorg escapade — run amid greenery on June 1

May 27, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Sportsadmin

Mangalore :

Test your mettle running through over the hills, through the waterfalls, streams, coffee estates and the thick jungles of Kodagu. Coorg Escapade being held on June 1 will give running enthusiasts a chance to blend with nature and fill fresh mountain air in the lungs.

Conceptualized by Next Level Sport and Entertainment, the run will flag off from Chelavara waterfalls. The trail is a scenic loop, which offers magnificent views of Kodagu. The trail offers different elevations, making the run truly challenging. The lowest point is 950 metres and the highest is 1,250 metres. The Run has three categories – The 10K Run, the 2.5K Fun Run and the 10K Relay for corporates and families.

The run was conceptualized with the mission of encouraging and promoting responsible tourism. As a part of this endeavour, the Coorg Escapade will not be using any plastic in the event, keep noise levels to a minimum and no private vehicles will be allowed past the nearest town Cheyandane. A shuttle service will transport participants and audience to and from the venue.

Participants and their families get to experience the rich cultural heritage of Coorg and interact with other runners during the bonfire dinner the 250-year old Nadikerianda Aine Mane (The Ancestral Home).

The first three winners will be awarded a cash prize up to Rs 1.80 lakh along with gift vouchers. The Race Categories and starting time are as follows: 10K Challenge – Anyone above the age of 15 – Start time – 7.15am; 2.5K Fun Run – Anyone above the age of 12 – Start time – 11.30am; 10K Inter Corporate Relay (2.5K X 4 members) – Start time – 10.45 AM and 10K Inter Family Relay (for Coorg Locals only) – Start time – 10.45am.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangalore / by Stanley Pinto, TNN / May 24th, 2014

Keep power line project off Kodagu, urges Greens

May 12, 2014About Kodagu / Coorg, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technologyadmin

On the one hand, greens have been demanding to explore alternative routes to lay 400 kv high tension line between Mysore-Kozhikode, and on the other hand, Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI) says that the alternative routes were discussed way back in 2009 and they were rejected.

The Members of Kaveri Sene, Coorg Wildlife Society and Kaveri Bachao Andolan have said that felling of trees will have its impact on the bio-diversity and environment of the region. Hence, the project should be kept out of the purview of the Kodagu district.

Power Grid Corporation Chief Manager C D Kishor told Deccan Herald that all the three suggestions put forth by the protesters were discussed and rejected.

The route proposed by the protesters are as follows:

Route 1—Upgrading 220 kv line that provided connectivity between Karnataka and Kerala. Upgrading of the line falls under Bandipura National Park.

After the implementation of Forest Conservation Act 1980, no development work can be initiated inside National Park where tigers habitate.

Hence, the proposal was rejected.

Route 2—Laying electric wire on D-line of Nagarahole National Park.
However, the route was rejected as the width of the D-line is only 15 metre. The width required for laying high-tension wire is 45 metres.

Hence, it would require felling of trees on minimum of 30 meter after the D-line. On an average about 17,515 trees would have been felled if the route was approved.
Hence, both the State and Central governments had rejected the suggestion.
Route3—Underground cable.

The proposal was rejected as it was an uphill task to lay underground cable for 55 kms. To lay underground cable, a separate road will have to constructed to take up repair work in the underground cable.

Present route

At present, the high-tension line will pass through Hunsur, Piriyapattana-Devamacchi forest-Maldare-Hundi-Mayamudi-Bekkesodlur-Nalkeri-Kutta-Kerala.

Delay in work

The length of Mysore-Kozhikode line is 210 kms. The line will pass through 92 kms in Kerala.

The work in Kerala and Mysore has been completed. Owing to the protest by environmentalists, the work was stalled in Kodagu district.

Technical committee

Following the protest, the State government has constituted a technical committee to explore the possible alternative routes.

The committee has been directed to submit report within 15 days.

Kaveri Bachao Andolan Convenor B C Nanjappa said “our concern is environment of the district. We had suggested three alternative routes. If it was not acceptable, then let the technical committee constituted by the government explore an alternative.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Srikanth Kallammanavar , Madikeri / DHNS – May 06th, 2014

DC bans plastic in Kodagu

May 6, 2014Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

‘Team comprising police, reps from ULBs to keep tab on use of plastic’

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tiwari has issued an order banning the use of plastic bags and plastic cups with thickness of less than 40 microns that harm the environment.

He has instructed the police department and officials of urban local bodies to impose penalty to those who violate the rules by using the plastic bags of less than 40 microns in any part of the district.

In his order dated March 15, the Deputy Commissioner who is also the Chairman of the District Tourism Development Committee has said that the Kodagu district has sensitive environment and it is inevitable to ban the use of plastic bags to protect the environment.

Further, he has stated that the decision has been taken considering the Environment Protection Act 1986, Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the notification of the Environment and Forest Ministry of the Government of India dated February 4, 2011 and the notification of Karnataka Government dated October 20, 2010.

“A team of officials including those from police department and urban local bodies will be formed to keep a tab on the use of plastic usage. The team will pay surprise visits to shops and inspect them. Plastic bags if found will be seized and shop owners will be penalised,” Tourism Department Assistant Director Phanish has said.

He stressed that the first priority of the district administration is to control the sale of plastic bags.

The team will raid the shops based on suspicion and the team is expected to be formed after Lok Sabha elections.

As a large number of tourists visit Kodagu, instruction boards about the plastic ban will be placed in the entry points of the district. Tourist vehicles will be inspected and plastic bags if found, will be seized, he said.

It could be recalled that the use of plastic plates and cups was completely banned during the Akhila Bharatha 80th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Madikeri in January. The initiative had received overwhelming response from people.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Srikanth Kallammanavar / DHNS – Madikeri, March 27th, 2014

Committee to study alternative routes for power line in Kodagu

April 30, 2014About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, Alladmin

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar at a meeting to discuss the power line project, in Bangalore on Tuesday /. Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P. / The Hindu

Expert panel to submit report in 15 days

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to constitute an experts’ committee to examine alternative possibilities to drawing a high-tension power line from the Kaiga nuclear power plant to Kerala through the catchment area of a tributary of the Cauvery in Kodagu.

The decision comes in the wake of prominent people from Kodagu opposing the project in its present form.

The proposed committee, to be headed by an expert from the Central Power Research Institute, will be given 15 days to look into the concerns of people of Kodagu and submit a report.

An assurance was given by the Chief Minister to legislators and environmental activists from Kodagu who met him at his home office here to seek a change in the route of the proposed power line pass, in public interest.

Coorg Wildlife Society president Col. C.P. Muthanna (retd.), who was part of the delegation that had more than a hour’s discussion with the Chief Minister, told reporters that the proposed committee would comprise wildlife ecologist R. Sukumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and water expert Rajendra Singh.

He alleged that the project, to be implemented by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., would result in devastation of 156 hectares of coffee estate and 104 hectares of paddy cultivation area near Virajpet besides 23 hectares of forests. “The area through which the proposed line is to pass has such a thick green cover that each acre of coffee plantation has 350 fully grown trees,” he said, and expressed concern that nearly 53,000 trees would have to be felled if the power line route was not changed.

He said that leaders from Kodagu had suggested that the power line be drawn underground through the “forest fire line” that runs for 23 km. This would also reduce the length of the power line, he said.

The Chief Minister assured the delegation of taking up the issue again for discussion after the experts’ committee submits its report, he said.

The former Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, MLA Appachu Ranjan and MLC M.C. Nanaiah were part of the delegation.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bangalore – April 30th, 2014

Madikeri to get water from Kundamestri shortly

April 29, 2014Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

The works on a temporary project to supply water from Kundamestri is nearing completion. The water from Kundamestri is likely to be supplied to the citizens of Madikeri by the week end.

Sand bunds have been laid to store water. The collected water will be supplied to Kootuhole through pipes. After filtering the water at a Filter house at Stuart Hill, water will be supplied to the citizens.

Madikeri reels under water crisis every year, during summer. The works on Kundamestri project was initiated to mitigate the water crisis. However, owing to delay in release of funds, the works could not be completed. Now, the estimated cost of the project has escalated.

The Kundamestri project is being implemented by the Karnataka Water Supply and Sewage Board (KWSSB). It will take another year to complete the works.

KWSSB Executive Engineer Balachandra expressed confidence of completing the works soon. “The project has been taken up, keeping in mind the development of Madikeri in the next 50 years. When the water level declines in Kootuhole, water will be supplied from Kundamestri to Kootuhole,” he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Srikanth Kallammanavar / Madikeri – DHNS, April 27th, 2014

‘Kodagu Climate Suits Apple Cultivation’

April 28, 2014Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Uncategorizedadmin

Senior scientist and expert on apple cultivation from Himachal Pradesh Dr Chiranjit Parmar expressed confidence that in Karnataka, especially Kodagu, apple cultivation will be successful as the weather here is suitable.

Parmar, who was on a State tour, told reporters here on Monday that efforts are on to grow apples in Tumkur, Bangalore, Uppinanagady in Dakshina Kannada and Somwarpet in Kodagu.

He said Karnataka is better than Himachal Pradesh for apples as the growers here will get the yield twice a year compared to the northern state where it is once a year due to snow.

“Since three years, efforts are on to grow apples in Karnataka and it has been successful as the weather is conducive,” he said.

Parmar tasted the apples grown in Sulimlathe of Abbukatte in Somwarpet in the district.

Apple growers of Kodagu C R Shivakumar and Krishna Shetty of Uppinangady accompanied Parmar during his tour.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Madikeri / April 22nd, 2014

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