The Annual General Body meeting (AGM) of the Coorg Wildlife Society will be held at its office in Madikeri on Dec. 17 (tomorrow) against the backdrop of the expulsion of former President Col. C.P. Muthanna (Retd.) from the Society.
The Coorg Wildlife Society, now headed by K. A. Chengappa, has a rich history of advocating for protection and restoration of the district’s wildlife. It carries out wildlife conservation by collaborating with Government agencies and conservation organisations and influences the creation of effective laws to promote land management practices that support wildlife preservation.
At the Executive Committee meeting held last month, a unanimous decision was made to expel Col. Muthanna from the Society due to alleged misconduct and use of abusive language against a fellow Committee member.
Following a written complaint, the Committee issued three show cause notices to Col. Muthanna, in line with the Society’s rules and regulations, but he did not respond.
In November, the Executive Committee convened to discuss the incident and passed a resolution to expel Col. Muthanna with a more than two-thirds majority, in accordance with the Society’s bylaws.
Reacting to the development, Col. Muthanna told Star of Mysore that the charges of using abusive language were just an excuse to remove him from Society.
“Unfortunately, certain vested interests have taken over the Society now who want to bring destructive projects to Kodagu which I am against and I have filed many cases in the Courts. This is a ploy to weaken me and my stand to safeguard nature,” he said.
However, Society President Chengappa and Executive Committee member Naveen Bopaiah dismissed these claims, emphasising that the Committee acted strictly as per the law and Society regulations.
“We are also against bringing destructive projects in Kodagu. There are many issues like conflict of interest, funding and allegiance to other environmental bodies that do not come under the Coorg Wildlife Society. The issue is expected to be further discussed at the AGM tomorrow,” they said.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 16th,2024
‘Puttari’ the festival of harvest, was celebrated with gaiety, pomp and splendour by Mysuru Kodava Samaja at Sri Cauvery Educational Institutions premises in Kuvempunagar here yesterday.
Marking the festival, members of the Kodava community paid obeisance to Igguthappa and Goddess Cauvery and prayed for prosperity and wellbeing of people and copious rainfall in the State.
The members celebrated by doing Nere Katti in the paddy field and taking home the grain (Dhaanya Lakshmi). They also fired in air as a mark of celebration.
Earlier, the Kodava community men and women, dressed in their traditional attire, performed Puja to God Igguthappa and enjoyed the festival by singing songs and performing dance. While women wore red and green coloured sarees, men wore the traditional Black Kuppia (coat) with Chele tied around their waist. Young Kodava women presented an attractive dance performance to the tunes of the song Kodava Kula Devi Kaveri. Later, traditional Kodava dance forms such as Kolaat, Bolakaat, Kathiyaat, Baalo Paat, Pareyakali, Vaalagathaat etc. were performed.
Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Ponjanda A. Ganapathi, Vice-President Machimada P. Nanaiah, Hon. Secretary Ketolira A. Belliappa, Joint Secretary Ajjikuttira Diana Poovaiah, Treasurer Ittira G. Kashiyappa and other office-bearers were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 15th, 2024
The ‘nere katto’ ritual began at the temple at 7:30 pm, followed by the plucking and worshipping of the first paddy harvest of the season at 8:30 pm.
The festival is predominantly celebrated within Kodava Ain Mane, where each Kodava clan carries out traditional rituals.(Photo | KARTHIK SADANANDA, Special Arrangement)
Madikeri :
The chants of “Poli Poli Deva” (May we prosper, Oh Lord) resonated across Kodagu as the district celebrated the Puthari festival on Saturday evening.
The rituals commenced at the Padi Sri Igguthappa Temple in Kakkabe and spread with great enthusiasm throughout the district. Fireworks lit up the night sky as the freshly harvested paddy was brought home and worshipped by the Kodava community and other residents.
The ‘nere katto’ ritual began at the temple at 7:30 pm, followed by the plucking and worshipping of the first paddy harvest of the season at 8:30 pm. These rituals were then performed across Kodava ‘Ain Mane’ (ancestral homes), with other communities, such as the Gowdas, also taking part in the celebrations.
“In Kodava language, ‘Puthari’ means new rice. After harvesting the paddy for the first time in the season, the ancestors and deities are offered the first harvest and are worshipped. Sweet dishes and other traditional delicacies are prepared with the first harvested rice,” explained Bopanna, a resident of Madikeri.
The festival is predominantly celebrated within Kodava Ain Mane, where each Kodava clan carries out traditional rituals. However, other communities in the region also follow the custom of worshipping the first rice. While the primary rituals concluded on Saturday, celebrations will continue in the coming days at various village ‘Mandh’ (cultural hubs).
On Sunday, traditional performances like the Puthari Kolata were organised at the Madikeri Fort premises, attracting significant participation from residents. Cultural programmes will also be hosted throughout the month in the ‘Mandh’ or paisari lands, bringing Kodava traditions vibrantly to life.
The Codava National Council forum also hosted a public celebration of the festival on Saturday morning at Balele village, adding to the district-wide festivities.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / December 15th, 2024
Puthari, which means “new rice” in Kodava language, is a thanksgiving festival that celebrates the rice harvest, symbolising abundance and prosperity.
The Kodava community will celebrate Puthari, the harvest festival that holds cultural and spiritual significance for the community, on Saturday, December 14. Those in Bengaluru who cannot make it to their hometowns mark the occasion by gathering in homes, community halls, and at the Kodava Samaja in Vasanth Nagar to honour their traditions.
Puthari, which means “new rice” in Kodava language, is a thanksgiving festival that celebrates the rice harvest, symbolising abundance and prosperity. The festival involves elaborate rituals, folk arts, and traditional feasts.
At the Kodava Samaja in Vasanth Nagar, members gather every year to symbolically harvest paddy grown on a small plot within the premises. This paddy is distributed to participants, replicating the traditional ritual observed in Kodagu. “Since we stay in Bengaluru, every year on Puthari, we make it a point to go to the Bengaluru Kodava Samaja, which we regard as our ainmane (ancestral home) in the city. There, we symbolically harvest some paddy crop and bring back home the paddy sheaves,” said Mohan Devaiah, a member of Kodava Samaja in Bengaluru.
Elsewhere, smaller groups of Kodavas celebrated in homes and community halls. “Puthari is a time for us to reconnect with our roots and fellow Kodavas,” said M.T. Poovaiah, a resident of New Thippasandra. “It’s like bringing a slice of Kodagu to Bengaluru since we cannot go to our home in Kodagu every year,” he added.
Reviving forgotten traditions
Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachaiah, President of the Karnataka Kodava Sahithya Academy, said, “Kodavas have always been an agrarian community, and rice was their staple crop before coffee cultivation became prevalent in Kodagu. Puthari celebrates the new crop of rice. It is one of the three most important festivals for the community, alongside Cauvery Changrandi (worship of River Cauvery) and Kail Poldh (traditional festival of arms),” he told The Hindu.
He lamented the declining practice of traditional folk arts integral to Puthari celebrations. “Earlier, week-long festivities included ‘Mane Paado’—folk singers going house to house with traditional dudi drums, singing songs of gratitude. Villagers would gather in the mand (village greens or ground) to perform ‘Kolatta’ (a stick dance) and traditional war games like ‘Pariya Kali’ were performed. Unfortunately, these practices are fading. We must teach these traditions to the younger generation,” he said.
A culinary feast
The festival’s menu reflects the Kodavas’ agrarian heritage. Special desserts like thambutt, made from roasted rice flour and mashed bananas, and rice payasam, prepared with freshly harvested rice, are staples of the Puthari feast. Families also prepare savoury delicacies such as pork curry, Kadumbuttu (rice ball), and akki roti (rice bread) to complement the festive spread.
While the festival was traditionally marked by week-long celebrations in Kodagu, most urban Kodavas today celebrate it over a day or two.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Darshan Devaiah B P / December 14th, 2024
Specialty coffee brand First Coffee raises $1.2 million funding led by Beenext
First Coffee, a grab-and-go specialty coffee brand, has raised $1.2 million in a funding round led by South Asia and India-focused venture fund Beenext.
The round also saw participation from other investors such as Ashish Gupta (Helion Venture Partners), AngelList India, Ritesh Malik (founder, Innov8), Sahil Malik (founder, Da Milano), Aman Arora (cofounder, board-Keventers), Agastya Dalmia (director, Keventers), among others.
ET on July 10 reported about Beenext leading the new round in the company, as early-stage venture capitalists and angel investors continue to show strong interest in new-age food brands, particularly in segments like coffee.
The funds will be used to support the company’s expansion to more locations across the country, along with investments in hiring and marketing. First Coffee plans to grow its store presence in key urban areas across New Delhi and NCR and tier-I cities in north India.
“We are the first brand to bring true specialty coffee scoring 91% on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale to the Indian market. At First Coffee, we’re not just serving coffee; we’re crafting a unique, premium experience while still catering to the fast-paced lifestyle of our customers,” said cofounder Shiv Dhawan.
Founded in 2024 by Sohrab Sitaram and Dhawan, First Coffee sources its beans from the Harley Coffee Estate in Chikmagalur.
The brand will primarily focus on small-format QSR outlets in high-footfall areas like malls, corporate parks, high streets and metros. The company plans to launch 35 stores across the country by the second quarter of the next fiscal year.
Commenting on the investment, Anirudh Garg, partner at Beenext said, “First Coffee is uniquely placed where they are not just selling a product but rather a coffee experience, blending tech, sustainability and coffee”.
ET reported on March 9 that specialty coffee chain AbCoffee raised $3.4 million in a series A funding round led by venture capital fund Nexus Venture Partners. Existing investor Tanglin Venture Partners also participated in the round.
On March 26, Subko, a specialty coffee roaster and craft bakehouse, raised $10 million in a funding round led by Zerodha cofounder Nikhil Kamath.
Other companies operating in this space include Slay Coffee, which is backed by Fireside Ventures, Alteria Capital and Faasos-parent Rebel Foods; Sleepy Owl Coffee; Hatti Kaapi; Blue Tokai; and Rage Coffee.
source: http://www.msn.com / ET – Economic Times / September 26th, 2024
The India International Coffee Festival (IICF) once again celebrated the vibrant coffee culture, hosting an exceptional event in Bengaluru on December 4, 2024, at the Christ University campus. The highlight of the day was the ‘Indian Filter Coffee Championship,’ a thrilling competition that brought together skilled participants to showcase their brewing expertise.
Since October, the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) has traveled across cities, spotlighting the nation’s diverse and dynamic coffee heritage. Through a series of spirited competitions and engaging activities, these events have left attendees with lasting memories and unparalleled coffee experiences. At every stop, the festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from coffee roasters, café chains, and key players in the food and beverage industry.
Mr. D.M. Purnesh – President of Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI), sharing his views on the championship said, “We are very happy to bring the championship to Christ University, Bengaluru. Karnataka is a coffee lovers city and the championship was a mega success with so many connoisseurs coming forward to take part in the competition.”
Dr Kerwin Savio Nigli- Head, Department of Hotel Management, Christ University, said, “It was a great experience for us to host the Indian Filter Coffee Championship. We always hold lots of academic competitions, but this was like a whiff of fresh air where excellence of coffee brewing was showcased for the first time. We look forward to hosting many more such events in the university.”
The Indian Filter Coffee Championship, a first-of-its-kind event, spotlighted the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion behind coffee brewing. It turned into a vibrant celebration of coffee culture with participants immersing themselves in the spirit of competition and showcasing their exceptional brewing skills.
source: http://www.businessnewsthisweek.com / Business News This Week / Home> Business News / by Mansi Praharaj / December 09th, 2024
Training sparks debate over elephant transfers toAndhra Pradesh; local Mahouts, Kavadis unhappy
A team of 21 elephant handlers, including 17 Mahouts and four Kavadis from Andhra Pradesh, is undergoing specialised training in handling Kumki elephants at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu.
The training, which began in mid-November, is set to conclude on Dec. 10, after which the team will return to Andhra Pradesh. Kumki elephants are trained to tackle wild elephants, safeguard human settlements and support wildlife conservation, including forest patrols and crop protection.
This training is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Vijayawada between the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department and Karnataka in September 2024. The agreement seeks mutual cooperation in addressing wildlife challenges and it was formalised in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Dy.CM Pawan Kalyan and Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre.
However, reports suggest that Karnataka may be planning to transfer four to six trained elephants to Andhra Pradesh under the guise of this training programme.
Andhra Pradesh has an urgent need for Kumki elephants, with only two elephants — Jayanth (67) and Vinayak (54) — stationed at the Naniyala forest camp in Chittoor district and are reaching retirement age. This shortage has hampered efforts to protect wildlife, prevent the theft of sandalwood and red sanders trees, conserve forests and mitigate man-animal conflicts.
Sources informed Star of Mysore that the training might be a cover for relocating elephants to Andhra Pradesh. Mahouts and Kavadis in Dubare are unhappy with the move, citing Karnataka’s own shortage of trained elephants.
“It takes four to five years to tame and train an elephant to follow commands. We build a deep, familial bond with these animals through immense sacrifice and effort. Transferring them would not only sever this bond but also leave us jobless,” said one mahout.
Forest officials, however, denied any finalised plans, stating they have not received Government orders to shift the elephants. Some mahouts countered, claiming that a proposal was discussed months ago and that Karnataka is quietly laying the groundwork for the transfer.
Reports indicate that many elephants in Dubare have already been introduced to Andhra Pradesh handlers, who are being trained to manage them. The plan reportedly involves sending a specific number of elephants to support wildlife operations in Andhra Pradesh, with fears they might not return after their assignments and will be kept there for that State’s services.
Meticulous training on all elephant aspects
The training programme for elephant handlers from Andhra Pradesh at Dubare Elephant Camp focuses on understanding elephant behaviour and mastering specific cues to control and direct them effectively. Under the guidance of lead trainer J.K. Dobi, the training employs a range of techniques, including the use of specialised tools, handling chains and creating loud noises to ward off wild animals.
The handlers are trained with elephants Dhananjaya, Kanjan, Vidyashree, Vijaya and Rama in foundational skills such as touching, bathing and interpreting signals. They are taught commands in specific languages, methods for balancing atop elephants and techniques like tapping the elephant’s ear with their foot or patting its head for direction.
Additionally, they learn about elephant dietary requirements, including the cooking process, ingredients and feeding schedules.
To provide a comprehensive understanding, the team has been taken to other elephant camps across Kodagu and Mysuru districts, including Harangi, Mathigodu, Balle, and Veeranahosahalli. Here, they are familiarised with the unique conditions and challenges specific to each camp, ensuring their preparedness for diverse environments.
Karnataka must prioritise its elephant needs
According to Forest Department officials, Karnataka plans to send four trained elephants to Andhra Pradesh to assist in wild elephant capture and training operations only. Since 2013, Karnataka has handed over 59 trained elephants to various States. The Forest Department must be transparent and avoid concealing facts.
Andhra Pradesh initially requested 22 elephants, but the number was scaled down to eight after Karnataka refused. Even now, sending elephants to Andhra Pradesh is not the right move. We need elephants for Dasara, other tasks and as a tourist attraction at elephant camps. Our resources are already stretched with limited elephants in the State. To capture and tame an elephant it costs Rs. 14 lakh and to fit a radio collar, it requires Rs. 22 lakh.—Joseph Hoover, Conservationist & Wildlife Activist
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Joseph Hoover, Conservationist & Wildlife Activist / December 09th, 2024
Issues such as alcohol abuse that are threatening to overwhelm the ‘Phani Yerava’ tribals in Karnataka need to be on the policy radar.
A vice that may have been picked up from the city | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In Karnataka’s section of the Western Ghats, lies Makuta village, under Betoli gram panchayat of Virajpet taluka in Kodagu district. More specifically, the village falls under the Makuta Aranya Valaya which is in the vicinity of the Kerti reserved forest. This area is in the Talacauvery sub-cluster, identified as one of the 10 World Heritage Sites in Karnataka and is a region of dense tropical evergreen forests that have remained undisturbed to a large extent.
The village has a Girijan colony inhabited by the ‘Phani Yerava’ tribe. In 2021, with the help of two local people including a Muslim gram panchayat member, all the 19 Yerava households here were able to successfully claim their ‘land’ in the forest, under the Forest Rights Act. In a joint survey conducted by the Forest, Revenue and Social Welfare Departments, officials found that the Yeravas reside on 135 acres of forest land, right from the time of their ancestors.
When asked about the importance of acquiring forest rights, the tribals did not appear to be very enthusiastic because their dependence on the forest exclusively for their livelihood has been reducing over some time.
The reason they gave was that they found going into the forest to collect minor forest produce to be a tiresome job. Besides, selling the produce was no longer lucrative given the volatile market and also rampant exploitation by middlemen. This bitter experience led them to believe that for the same effort, they would get better wages if they worked as labour. Hence, working as daily labour (casual or agriculture) is now the primary occupation of these forest dwellers. The majority of them prefer to go to Kasaragod in Kerala State which is less than 10 kilometres from their habitation, as they are comfortable speaking Malayalam.
Nevertheless, along with fuelwood and honey, the other minor forest produce they collect includes dhoopa (Vateria indica)/incense, and shekakai (soap pod). The quantity collected depends on the availability of the produce in the forest as well as the need to procure them. However, most of those who gather forest produce said that the amount they collected was most often for their own consumption. There is no stockpiling.
The scourge of addiction
However, there is an issue that is a cause for worry. When this writer-researcher visited them to understand their socio-economic status after the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, almost the entire community was found to be in an intoxicated state due to alcohol abuse. According to non-tribal locals and others in the area, they picked the habit in the city seeing other labourers doing the same in the evenings after returning home to unwind after the pain from the day’s hard work. Not surprisingly, the tribals in the village were not in a position to recall how they got into this. Even adolescent children have taken to this vice. This has affected children’s attendance in schools too. Intoxication has slowly turned the community’s life into one of a miserable existence. As a result, the community is found to be uninformed about happenings in the external world around them. Given this development, important documents such as ration cards, Aadhar cards, voter identity cards, or even government documents such as rights given under the Forest Rights Act have to be kept in the safe custody of trustworthy non-tribal members.
Officials from the Department of Social Welfare working in this area have also been concerned about this issue because they find the state of the habitants to be ‘disheartening’. A case worker, who expressed deep empathy for them, said that efforts are being made to conduct a de-addiction drive. In another habitation in Nerugalale gram panchayat in Somwarpet taluka in the same district, a headman of the ‘Yarava’ tribe expressed sadness that a number of his relatives had lost their lives due to addiction. He cited this as the cause behind the population in his hamlet reducing to half. He hoped that good sense would prevail and that the tribals would lead a vice-free life.
It was the same story, but with varying degrees, in every tribal village that this writer-researcher visited in the Western Ghats region in Karnataka during the study (this article is drawn from a larger research study titled “Tribals, Forest Rights and Heritage Conservation: A Study of Western Ghats in Karnataka”, sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi).
Non-government organisation activists and government officials working in the jurisdiction of the villages have said that such issues do not get enough attention in the policy matters in the State — a view also expressed by the leaders of some local tribal communities such as the Hasalaru, Gowdalu, and Jenu Kurubas. According to them, only a few communities which are numerically dominant among the Scheduled Tribes have been gaining benefits over recent years, in every walk of life. They expressed the wish that the government should consider these kinds of social issues seriously and take steps that are in the best interest of those groups. It is only then, they believe, that existential concerns such as addictions haunting forest dwellers can be addressed effectively.
Madhusudan Bandi is a faculty member with the Gujarat Institute of Development Research, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Opinion> Comment / by Madhusudhan Bandi / March 12th, 2024
Tourism Department plans to develop these places as options to Hampi, Bengaluru, Madikeri and Kushalnagar.
Ramadevara Betta Hill in Ramanagara district. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
With the number of tourists visiting Karnataka increasing rapidly after the lull caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, popular destinations have become overcrowded. In response, the Tourism Department has identified alternative sites in the same clusters to redirect visitor traffic.
Anegundi in Koppal district has been identified as a potential alternative to Hampi in Vijayanagara district. Similarly, in Kodagu district, Virajapet has been suggested as an alternative to Madikeri and Kushalnagara, while Ramanagara is being considered as an option for Bengaluru.
“We have identified these alternative destinations based on directives from the Government of India. We observed that certain destinations have exceeded their carrying capacities, so we selected nearby locations that can offer similar experiences. This will also serve as an opportunity to promote lesser-known destinations,” said Salma Fahim, Principal Secretary of the Tourism Department, in an interview with The Hindu.
Rural tourism
Officials said Anegundi, while offering a heritage and cultural experience similar to Hampi, can also introduce visitors to community-led rural tourism. Virajapet, with its scenic beauty, coffee plantations, hills, and natural landscapes, has room for development, as it is less developed compared to Madikeri. Ramanagara, they noted, has the potential to attract adventure tourism with opportunities for rock climbing and more resorts and homestays.
“Madikeri is overcrowded, and we can provide a similar experience in Virajapet. Ramanagara also has a lot to offer, such as rock climbing and beautiful landscapes. Moreover, Bengaluru’s traffic makes it difficult for tourists to travel, but that won’t be an issue in Ramanagara,” Ms. Fahim added.
Infra development
While experts commend the initiative, they stress the importance of infrastructure development and ecological conservation before officially promoting these alternative sites as tourist destinations.
“It’s a good idea overall, as places like Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu are overwhelmed with tourists. Infrastructure development should be a priority. For example, even in Hampi, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, it took a long time to establish basic infrastructure like toilets,” said Sanjar Imam, President of the Karnataka Tourism Forum. “Development should be done ethically, keeping the ecology in mind. With newer destinations, new accommodation options may also emerge, leaving older ones vacant and creating pressure elsewhere. All stakeholders should be consulted,” he said.
The Department is also focused on developing these sites once they are approved. Plans include building infrastructure, increasing capacity, and improving connectivity. “Once these aspects are in place and our agents begin promoting the alternative destinations, tourists will naturally start visiting them,” Ms. Fahim stated.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities / by Jahnavi T R / September 15th, 2024
Coffee cherry at a coffee plantation in Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka.
Various coffee planters’ associations in Karnataka on Thursday urged all banking institutions in the country to heed the parliamentary clarification and refrain from invoking the SARFAESI Act on coffee plantation lands for loan recoveries.
During the parliamentary session on Tuesday (December 3), Kota Srinivas Poojary, MP for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, raised a question regarding the applicability of the SARFAESI Act (Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest) to coffee plantations.
“The government’s response unequivocally clarified that coffee crops were not within the scope of this Act, providing legal protection for our growers,” said office bearers of Karnataka Growers Federation and Kodagu Planters Association.
A. Nanda Belliappa, Chairman, Coorg Planters Association, said, “Since 2018, banks have increasingly relied on the SARFAESI Act for loan recoveries, bypassing the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT).”
This practice has burdened the plantation sector, already struggling with severe natural disasters, continuous crop failures, and low commodity prices. Under this stringent legislation, the use of the SARFAESI has resulted in the loss of properties of many growers, he said.
Vishwanath K.K, vice-president, Karnataka Growers Federation, said, “The government’s clarification, though delayed, was crucial for the welfare of the plantation community.”
We urge all banking institutions to refrain from invoking the SARFAESI on coffee plantation lands for loan recoveries. And it is essential for maintaining the financial stability of coffee growers and the overall health of the coffee sector, he added.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by the Hindu Bureau / December 06th, 2024
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