As per the 2023 report, the state as a whole houses 6395 elephants, which is 25% of India’s elephant population.
The Tamil Nadu forest department in coordination with neighbouring Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh conducted a synchronised elephant population estimation (File photo | Express)
Bengaluru :
As per the latest elephant census report done in the southern states Nilgiri biosphere, Karnataka houses 4126 elephants.
This is apart from the all state elephant estimation exercise which was done in 2023 of all southern states. As per the 2023 report, the state as a whole houses 6395 elephants, which is 25% of India’s elephant population.
The report released on Monday on the occasion of World Elephant Day by chief minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and forest, environment and ecology department minister Eshwar B Khandre, there are 4126 elephants in the Karnataka portion of the Nilgiri biosphere alone.
While Kerala released its report last month, Tamil Nadu earlier in August and Andhra Pradesh is yet to release a compiled report, the entire census report of the entire Nilgiri Biosphere will be released at a later stage, said additional Principal Chief Conservator of forests, wildlife, Kumar Pushkar.
The census exercise was done in the fringe areas of the forests of Bandipur, Nagarhole and BRT Tiger reserves along with MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Bannerghatta National Park, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Madikeri Wildlife Sanctuary, Madikeri Territorial Division, Virajpet Division and Kolar Division.
As per the report the largest elephant population was recorded in Bandipur- 1042 and the lowest was in Virajpet- 23. No elephant population was recorded in Kolar division.
Elephant census report
Name of forest division — elephant density — estimated elephant population
Bandipur tiger reserve — 0.89 — 1042
Nagarhole tiger reserve — 0.88 — 788
BRT Tiger Reserve — 0.60 — 536
Mm Hills Wildlife Sanctuary — 0.60 — 700
Bannerghatta National park — 0.41 — 111
Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary — 0.38 — 415
Madikeri Wildlife Division — 0.32 — 133
Madikeri Territorial Division — 0.16 — 169
Virajpet Division — 0.05 –23
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / August 13th, 2024
The two varieties of the crop – IISR Manushree and IISR Kaveri, were among the 109 agriculture and horticulture crops released to the farming community by the Prime Minister.
IISR Kaveri Cardamon variety / Photo | Express
Madikeri :
Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced two new cardamom varieties developed at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research at Appangala in Kodagu. The two new varieties were released after the approval from the central sub-committee on crop standards.
Cardamom was among the important revenue-generating crops for the farmers across Sakleshpur, Kodagu and Chickmagaluru in the 1980s. However, extensive disease in the crops resulted in its downfall even as cardamom plantations were converted to coffee estates. Nevertheless, the crop can still earn good returns. The ICAR-IISR Kozhikode is involved in extensive crop research even as its regional station at Appangala has successfully introduced two new crop varieties to boost cardamom cultivation
The two varieties of the crop – IISR Manushree and IISR Kaveri, were among the 109 agriculture and horticulture crops released to the farming community by the Prime Minister. The two varieties were developed by DR SJ Ankegowda, Principal Scientist and Head of ICAR-IISR and his team at Appangala.
Dr Ankegowda said that the IISR Manushree variety is developed through clonal selection. This variety is stable yielding and tolerant to moisture stress. It produces an average yield of 550 kg dry capsules per hectare under irrigated conditions and 8.84% under moisture-stress conditions. The second variety, IISR Kaveri is a compact flowering cardamom variety that produces bold capsules, where 70% of the capsules are over 8 mm. IISR Kaveri is tolerant to moisture stress, producing an average yield of 482 kg dry capsules per hectare under irrigated conditions and 308 kg dry capsules per hectare under moisture stress conditions. This variety is said to be suitable for cultivation in Karnataka.
“Soil moisture is one of the limiting factors in augmenting the cardamom production and recently many youngsters from non-traditional areas are interested in cultivating cardamom where the crop experiences moisture stress during summer months. So these cardamom varieties with drought tolerance capacity can be tried. The present-day market consumer prefers green colour and bold capsule cardamom. So the variety IISR Kaveri with higher percentage of bold capsules fetches a premium price,” opined Dr Ankegowda.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Prajna G R / August 11th, 2024
However, to rekindle the interest in agricultural activities, ‘Bhel Pani’ has been organized in the vast farmland of Bittangala for five years now.
Sports activities hosted as part of the event / Photo | Express
Madikeri :
With an aim to revive agriculture among the Kodava community, ‘Bhel Pani’, a unique event was hosted at Bittangala in Kodagu. The event was jointly organized by Jabhoomi and Roots of Kodagu alongside support from various other associations and organizations and was inaugurated by Jabhoomi core members including Rajeev Bopaiah.
The culture of Kodava community is intertwined with agriculture. However, the farmlands are being abandoned or converted into commercial sites due to the invasion of urbanization. However, to rekindle the interest in agricultural activities, ‘Bhel Pani’ has been organized in the vast farmland of Bittangala for five years now.
“Earlier, our ancestors were involved in intensive agricultural activities as this was their means of life. However, modernization is affecting our culture and this is having an impact on the environment too,” explained A Kushalappa, convener of Roots of Kodagu and Jabhoomi organizations.
He explained that several farmers are shifting to ginger cultivation over paddy as the former earns better returns. However, the groundwater is depleting due to increased ginger farming. Paddy cultivation helps recharge ground water. The effects of abandoning paddy cultivation are already being witnessed in the form of water crisis during summers in Kodagu.
With an aim to introduce the paddy cultivation tradition to the youngsters of the community and reintroduce interest in farming among others, the programme was hosted with much pomp. Hundreds from across the district, participated in the event and cultivated the farmlands with paddy. Alongside paddy cultivation, farmland sports including slush running races and other activities were also hosted.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Prajna G R / August 11th, 2024
During the monsoon season, Kodagu’s unique culinary traditions involve dishes prepared with local ingredients like bamboo shoots and Justicia Wynaadensis leaves, reflecting a rich heritage aimed at maintaining health and body temperature.
The chilly weather and hard work in the farmlands demand that one stay healthy, leading to unique dishes being prepared during this period in ancestral times.Photo | Express
Madikeri :
Known to be an agricultural district, farming activities engulf Kodagu during the monsoon months. The chilly weather and hard work in the farmlands demand that one stay healthy, leading to unique dishes being prepared during this period in ancestral times. The indigenous cuisine acts as a natural nutrient supplement, helping the natives maintain body temperature during the chilly and moist weather. While agricultural activities have seen a gradual decline across the district in the recent past, the ancestral fare still make up a large part of the monsoon diet in Kodagu.
The district has a special vibe during the monsoon, and a stroll down any town road introduces one to unique items being sold on the streets. Natives from interior parts of the village turn street vendors and source natural resources available in plenty across the estates and forest fringes of the district, which they sell locally.
The wares vary from the traditionally made bamboo skep (to help clothes dry using charcoal heater) by the roadside in Madikeri, to natural products — a line of women wearing raincoats selling bamboo shoots, colocasia leaves, crabs, bracken fieldheads and leaves known as Justicia Wynaadensis or ‘maddu thoppu’ during the monsoon months from June to August. These locally sourced items make up for unique dishes that are prepared in all Kodava houses, and are now also being followed by all communities in the district.
“July 15 to August 15 is ‘Kakkada’ month in the Kodava calendar,” explained Ulliyada Dati Poovaiah, ex-president of Kodava Sahitya Academy. This month is synonymous with ‘Ashada’ month for Kannadigas, which is considered inauspicious. As the ancestors were busy with field work during this month, no auspicious events were hosted. Extreme weather conditions with heavy rainfall and gusty winds also stopped people from moving out of the safety of their houses, leading to ‘Kakkada’ month being considered inauspicious for any public or private gatherings.
“Kodagu used to receive the highest rainfall during ‘Kakkada’, yet people had to be involved in paddy cultivation for a living. Nevertheless, to ensure that one stayed healthy during the extreme weather conditions, special dishes found their way to the plate. All the dishes prepared during this month maintain body temperature, even as they keep other diseases, including pneumonia, at bay,” explained Dati.
Bamboo shoots are the highlight of the monsoon season and are sourced from within estates.Photo | Express
Bamboo delight
Bamboo shoots are the highlight of the monsoon season and are sourced from within estates. Bamboo shoot curry makes up a large part of the monsoon diet, even as indigenous mushrooms with high protein content take over banquet tables in Kodava houses. “The special dishes prepared during the monsoon ensured one’s good health. This ancestral ritual is now being followed every year with Kodava organizations hosting ‘Kakkada’ food fests to continue the ritual,” shared Kannanda Kavitha Bolappa, president of Madikeri Kodava Samaja Women’s Wing. She explained that all naturally available produce, including black nightshade leaves, Senna Alata aka ringworm leaves, raw mangoes and other veggies grown in the backyard along with country chicken, formed the ingredients of a rich diet during monsoon.
The highlight of the month’s special cuisine is the dishes prepared from Justicia Wynaadensis leaves that are popularly known as the ‘maddu thoppu’ (medicinal leaves). Kodavas, and today residents from other communities, believe that the Justicia Wynaadensis plants that grow in abundance across the district, attain their highest medicinal value on the 18th day of the Kakkada month. ‘Kakkada Padinet’ (padinet translating to 18th day) is celebrated and sweet dishes are prepared using the juice extracted from the Justicia Wynaadensis leaves. Besides this, mushroom, country chicken, bamboo shoots, freshwater fish, raw mango curry and other indigenous veggies are prepared for this special day.
“Earlier, farm work including cultivation and harvesting was done by owners of the land. Each family helped the others in cultivating the land. Entire stretches of farmland used to be cultivated by land owners, with help from other land owners, and after the farm work was done, a banquet would to be arranged. It largely included items that ensured balance of body temperature and good health during the chilly months,” explained Dati.
What started as a requirement has continued as a tradition, with residents from all other communities indulging in a rich diet with unique dishes prepared during monsoons in Kodagu.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna GR / August 11th, 2024
The sensitive and highly sensitive areas were identified and the families to be relocated were finalised.
Landslide at Sitharam Patti near Kalur village in Kodagu File photo | Pushkar V
Madikeri :
Exercising caution after massive landslides in Wayanad in Kerala, the Kodagu district administration has identified 104 landslide-prone areas, based on the reports submitted by the Geological Survey of India. Anticipating heavy rainfall this month, the administration has issued notices to 2,995 families located in these vulnerable regions to move to safer areas.
These regions have been identified based on previous disaster reports and surveys. The sensitive and highly sensitive areas were identified and the families to be relocated were finalised. The relocation could happen soon, sources said.
The administration has set up 14 relief centres, where over 200 residents are sheltered. It has also marked the locations to open 95 relief centres in these possible disaster areas.
“Steps will be taken to relocate residents from vulnerable regions depending on the rainfall forecast,” said DC Venkat Raja.
The district has received 24% excess rainfall this year and more rain is expected this month.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / August 05th, 2024
The entry can be made without partition being effected among them, or an 11-E sketch obtained as regards area falling to the share of each individual family member, the court added.
The Karnataka High Court upheld the amendment brought to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, regarding the entry of names of all family members of Kodava families in land records as occupants of the land, including Jamma Bane land.
The entry can be made without partition being effected among them, or an 11-E sketch obtained as regards area falling to the share of each individual family member, the court added.
Noting that there is no violation of law in bringing the amendment, Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order while dismissing a batch of petitions filed by Brigadier Maletira A Devaiah (retired) and others, questioning the legality of the amendment in terms of Section 20(2) of the Karnataka Land Revenue (III) Amendment Act 2011.
By way of amendment, the names of all members of the family would be entered into Column 9 of the RTC to recognise the rights of the entire family with respect of property owned, including Jamma Bane land.
The High Court directed the Kodagu district administration to issue a circular giving clarity and stating in detail the due process for entering names of joint family landowners into revenue records in terms of the amendment.
The petitioners have contended that the customary law of Kodavas restricts them from alienating the joint family property and there is no individual right for any member of the family in the joint family property.
The state, by way of the impugned amendment, has done away with the culture of Kodavas, thereby violating Article 51-A(f) of the Constitution, they claimed.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / August 03rd, 2024
Indian badminton star Ashwini Ponnappa announces retirement after playing her ‘last Olympics‘.
Ashwini Ponnappa of India in action during the Group C match with Tanisha Crasto of India against Angela Yu of Australia and Setyana Mapasa of Australia. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Indian badminton stalwart Ashwini Ponnappa on July 30 broke down in tears, announcing she played her last Olympics after she and her partner Tanisha Crasto suffered their third straight loss in the women’s doubles competition of the Paris Games.
Ashwini and Tanisha lost to Australia’s Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu 15-21 10-21 in their final Group C game on Tuesday. They ended their campaign after losing all their three group matches.
“This will be my last, but Tanisha has a long way to go,” said 34-year-old Ashwini, who was playing in her third Olympics, when asked whether she hopes to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“It takes a toll emotionally and mentally, I can’t go through this again. It is not easy, you can take all these if you are a little younger. Having played for so long, I can’t take it anymore,” she said while trying to hold back tears.
Ashwini, who had won her first national title in 2001, had formed a formidable and history scripting women’s pair with Jwala Gutta, who played till 2017.
They had won many international medals, including a gold medal at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and bronze at the Uber Cup (2014 and 2016) and the Asian Championships (2014).
In 2011, they scripted history by becoming the first Indian pair to win a medal — a bronze — at the World Championships. That was their biggest prize in their careers. The Jwala-Ashwini pair was consistently ranked among the top 20 in the world and reached 10th spot at one time.
Ashwini and Jwala played in two Olympics together (in 2012 and 2016) but could not go beyond the initial stage.
“We wanted to get a win today. As much as we would have liked the outcome to be different and better, the biggest takeaway I and Tanisha had is we had quite a journey, getting to in the Olympics. It has not been easy,” said Ashwini.
Tanisha also could not control her emotions and she sobbed inconsolably.
“She (Ashwini) has been my biggest support here. We had wanted a better result and held out heads high. She motivated me every time.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / by PTI / July 31st, 2024
The people of Cauvery basin, including Bengaluru, were struggling for every drop of drinking water, let alone irrigation water, thanks to severe drought in the State.
DK Shivakumar, KPCC President and Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka /Photo | Express
The rain gods have finally smiled on Karnataka soothing the parched lands, streams and rivers yearning for the elixir of life. Mother Cauvery has once again come to life in all her glory. She is brimming with water giving hopes of prosperity to millions of people in her path and quenching the thirst of the neighboring state as well. It is my good fortune that I have the opportunity to offer the traditional ‘bagina’ to her on behalf of the people of the State.
The people of Cauvery basin, including Bengaluru, were struggling for every drop of drinking water, let alone irrigation water, thanks to severe drought in the State. Goddess Chamundeshwari has blessed us with copious rains and the smiles are back.
To pay our obeisance to Mother Cauvery, our Government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will offer bagina on July 29, 2024. It is an auspicious occasion for us to be paying respect to our lifelines at Krishna Raja Sagara and Kabini reservoirs.
Cauvery is not just a river for us. She is emotion and she is devotion. Daughter of King Kavera and wife of Agasthya Maharshi, Cauvery took birth in the Brahmagiri hills of Kodagu. Kodavas revere Cauvery as their mother and kula devathe. Kodava culture is full of traditions and rituals praising her. Panje Mangesh Rayaru, a well-known poet from Kodagu, has praised her in his poems. Such is the importance of Cauvery that great literary works such as Kaviraja Marga of Sri Vijaya identify Karnataka with her.
Equated with river Ganga, Cauvery is considered to be one of the seven sacred rivers of India. It is a common ritual even today to recite ‘Gangecha Yamunechaiva Godavari Saraswathi, Narmade Sindhu Cauvery Jalaismin Sannidhi Kuru’ while taking bath.
Such is her sacredness that places of religious importance dot her path. From TalaCauvery in Kodagu to Sri Ranganath in Srirangapatna and Gajaranya Kshetra at Talakadu to Shilabedhi Kshetra at Shivanasamudra, her path is punctuated by places of great religious significance. There are about 700 temples along her path in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It won’t be hyperbole to say Cauvery is a blessing for the people of Kodagu, Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan, Bengaluru and surrounding areas. She has spread prosperity wherever she flows.
Legacy of KRS
The Wadiyars of Mysuru revered Mother Cauvery highly. It was the monumental foresight, determination and effort of Maharaja Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar, Sir M Visveswaraya and others in Mysuru kingdom which gave birth to Kannambadi, or what is popularly known as KRS. The construction of this reservoir started in 1911 and ended in 1932. More than 10,000 workers sweated it out to build this reservoir, which continues to water lakhs of acres and quench the thirst of crores of people. We owe the prosperity of this region to Mysuru Maharajas and Sir MV.
Nadaprabhu Kempegowda laid the foundation for Bengaluru 500 years ago. Perhaps he was aware that it would go on to become a global metropolis. He built over 300 lakes to fulfil water needs of the town. As the city grew, the lakes shrank and it was no more water self-sufficient. That is when Cauvery water was pumped to Bengaluru city from a distance of 100 km. Cauvery water quenches the thirst of more than a crore people of Bengaluru today. Mother Cauvery flows in the veins of Bengaluru, which has become one of the leading technology centres of the world.
Save Water
Cauvery isn’t just water, it is the lifeline of our region. The recent water crisis has demonstrated that every drop of water is precious. Given the uncertainties around climate change, it is our bounden duty to conserve water. Be it for drinking purpose or for irrigation, we need to be mindful of the use of water. Our government is also creating awareness about water conservation. The mantra of water conservation must flow through our every vein, only then can we pass on a secure future to our children.
We have decided to organize ‘Cauvery Aarti’ on the lines of Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. We believe this is just a small token of our obeisance to the Mother, who continues to feed us and nurture us.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / July 29th, 2024
By the end of WWII, 20 Indian Army officers emerged as prominent figures. Most came from elite backgrounds, but KM Cariappa, from humble beginnings in Coorg, stood out. Rising through the ranks, he became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief in 1949, leading with distinction during the Jammu and Kashmir conflict and earning widespread respect.
By the end of World War II, around 20 Indian Army officers in their forties had emerged as prominent military faces. Most of these officers had bravely led infantry battalions—large groups of foot soldiers who fight on the ground, typically organized into units of several hundred troops. A few had commanded tank squadrons—military units consisting of several tanks and their crew, organized to operate together in combat and designed for armoured, or protected, warfare and ground assaults—across various battlefields in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and South-East Asia.
All but one came from elite feudal backgrounds or royal lineage and received the King’s Commission— officially appointed as officers in the military after completing their education at the Royal Military College—after graduating from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, or the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in southeast London.
However, the one remarkable exception was a person destined for greatness. Born into a humble, yet proud, family in the former Coorg state (now Kodagu), he never left India until he was called to serve in World War II, writes Lt-Gen (retd) Baljit Singh in the Tribune.
On the night he was born (January 28, 1899), his maternal grandmother had a dream where she heard the thunder of horses’ footsteps and drumbeats. She believed this meant the newborn would become a great military leader. This child, KM Cariappa, was born and raised in Mercara village, in Coorg, and later attended Presidency College in Madras.
Shortly after, in 1918, he qualified for the first group of teenagers to attend the Temporary School for Indian Cadets at Daly College in Indore. Upon being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Indian Army on December 1, 1919, he spent the next two decades gaining combat experience along the turbulent North-West Frontier.
At the same time, he worked hard to become the first Indian to graduate from the Defence Service Staff College in Quetta, located in Pakistan. By April 1942, he was promoted to Lt-Colonel rank and took command of the 17 Rajput Battalion, once again becoming the first Indian to achieve this milestone.
During World War II, he worked in logistics. He started at the headquarters of the 10th Indian Infantry Division in Iraq and Syria and later, moved to the headquarters of the 26th Indian Infantry Division in Burma, part of General Slim’s 14th Army. In this role, he embraced the 14th Army’s motto: ‘We’ll handle the impossible right away, the difficult will wait’.
For his outstanding service, Lt-Col Cariappa was ‘mentioned in dispatches’, meaning that he was officially recognized in military reports for exceptional bravery or outstanding service, three times and was awarded the Order of the British Empire on April 5, 1945.
In the period before Independence in 1946, it was decided to send one army officer and three bureaucrats to the Imperial Defence College in London to improve their understanding of both political and military strategies. Brigadier Cariappa was selected as the army officer for this opportunity. He soon put that knowledge to use when another brutal war over Jammu and Kashmir broke out in October 1947.
Since Pakistan acted first, the Indian Army’s initial response was not enough to meet the challenge and it looked like Ladakh might soon fall. In January 1948, Maj.-Gen. Cariappa, who was leading the Army Reorganization Committee, was promoted to command the newly formed Western Command. He became the first Indian to hold this position and was tasked with leading the war in Jammu and Kashmir.
True to his usual style, the very next day, the General was in Srinagar, offering inspiring leadership and firmly declaring, “We will not let Gen. Tariq capture Leh. We must stop this, and we will stop it… We’ve decided to move tanks up the Zoji Pass, something that’s never been done before.” The rest is history, says Lt-Gen. (retd) Baljit Singh.
The J&K war ended on January 5, 1949, creating the perfect opportunity for the army to appoint an Indian Commander-in-Chief, as Gen. FR Roy Bucher’s term was coming to an end. The choice was clear: Out of about 20 distinguished candidates, Lt-Gen. Cariappa stood out.
However, two other names were also suggested: Lt-Gen. Maharaj Rajendrasinhji of the Cavalry, who was the brother of the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar and Lt-Gen. Thakur Nathu Singh of Dungarpur. Despite this, both officers agreed that the honour of becoming India’s first Commander-in-Chief should go to Lt-Gen. Cariappa, known as ‘Kipper’, because he was the seniormost Indian officer. This was noted by Air Marshal (retd) KC Cariappa in his father’s biography.
The Indian government showed great respect, as seen in Sardar Patel’s letter: “Your impressive achievements give us confidence in your ability to lead during this crucial time in our country’s history. We assure you of our full support and cooperation.”
On January 15, 1949, a very upright man, accompanied by a young boy and a seven-year-old girl, visited the Gandhi Samadhi early in the morning. After taking his children home, Gen. KM Cariappa went to his new high office without any ceremony or Guard of Honour.
(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also the Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com.
source: http://www.newsable.asianetnews.com / Asianet Newsable / Home> English News> India News> Defence / by Girish Linganna / July 29th, 2024
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