Lockdown badly hits Coorg mandarin sales

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Nature
Lockdown badly hits Coorg mandarin sales

HIGHLIGHTS

The demand for Coorg oranges, also known as Coorg mandarin, has dipped in the State owing to lockdown. Mandarin was almost wiped out in the district due to diseases a couple of decades ago.

Madikeri:

The demand for Coorg oranges, also known as Coorg mandarin, has dipped in the State owing to lockdown. Mandarin was almost wiped out in the district due to diseases a couple of decades ago. However, this variety of orange is being grown in many coffee estates, fetching a sizeable income to growers. It is being grown as a mixed crop in coffee estates along with pepper twice a year in December and June.

Grown in eight thousand hectares, this tiny district produces nearly 30 thousand metric tonnes of mandarin.

Many coffee estates have bountiful mandarin crop, but no buyers due to lockdown. Normally, coffee growers lease orange crop to Kerala-based traders. But this season there are hardly any buyers. The crop is mostly exported to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and other parts of Karnataka.

Though Nagapur organges have good market in the State, with good taste and aroma, Coorg variety has its own customer base. Speaking to The Hans India on Friday, a mandarin grower, Ponnachettira Suresh Subbaiah , a native of Ibnivalamudi near Madikeri, said that he has been growing the orange crop for decades, but has never faced such a situation. He said he used to export oranges to Calicut market. But this season, he sees no hope of good market for his produce. Subbaiah who grows mandarin crop in his 12-acre estate, has incurred losses this time.

There are no takers locally also as tourism has come to a standstill. The district which witnesses at least 4-5 thousand tourists daily in normal time is badly hit by lockdown and Covid restrictions.

Though production is increasing year by year in district, the demand for mandarin variety of oranges is discouraging.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Coovercooly Indresh / Hans News Service / June 18th, 2021

Kodagu administration ramps up paediatric infra for possible third wave

Covid-19 (wef. May 31, 2021), Records, All, Science & Technology
Representational image (Photo | PTI)

A team of medical professionals has come forward to assess the concerns around the impending third wave. 

Madikeri :

The Kodagu district administration is prepping up for the predicted third wave of coronavirus even as the Covid positivity rate has gradually decreased below five percent. Keeping this in mind, the Paediatric wing of the district Covid hospital is being enhanced with suitable medical equipment and requests in this regard have been forwarded to the state government. 

Somal also revealed that a team of medical professionals has come forward to assess the concerns around the impending third wave. 

Dr Cariappa, Dean of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences confirmed that the paediatric ventilator facility is being increased to 40 from current seven at the district hospital. 

A new oxygen generator unit will soon be installed at the KIMS campus. District superintendent of KIMS confirmed that the nursing staff will be trained to handle the paediatric cases. 

According to the official data, nine paediatric positive cases have been reported in Kodagu till date.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / June 17th, 2021

Rohan Bopanna reaches 400 doubles victories

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Rohan bopanna 

He is an active legend, although sometimes it is difficult for us to locate these stars in the stunt circuit.

The Indian tennis player, who reached the quarterfinals at this last Roland Garros with Franko Skugor, left Paris with a special record: 400 wins in modality.

Another step in the legendary career of the 38-year-old tennis player.

This week, in the grass of Halle, he already had time to add the 401.

source: http://www.explica.com / Explica.co / Home> Tennis / by Explica.co / June 15th, 2021

Families In Kodagu Hunt For Tasty Mushrooms

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Mushrooms or toadstools are found mostly during the monsoon season especially when thunder and lightning strikes the landscape

Madikeri:

It is that time of the year when many edible mushrooms grow in the wild in the hilly district of Kodagu, making it a mushroom-lovers’ dream destination. 

Mushrooms or toadstools are found mostly during the monsoon season especially when thunder and lightning strikes the landscape. As soon as the first showers hit the dry earth, residents and families, who are familiar with the areas where usually mushrooms grow, head there to reap the annual harvest — where the dormant spores lie from the previous year. And the person who sees it first, it’s all his.

A particular mushroom that evokes interest this time is the ‘Aland Kumm’ in Kodava language. Its scientific name is ‘Agaricus bisporus’, an edible basidiomycete mushroom, native to grasslands in Europe and North America. It has two colour states while immature — white and brown.

A high-fibre content food product, these mushrooms usually rise near paddy fields and sometimes seen under dense cover of coffee estates. ‘Aland Kumm’ is prepared as curry using coconut masala or as masala fry too. 

The other well-known variety is ‘Kode Kumm’ (umbrella mushroom) with scientific name ‘Termitomyces clypeatus’ (solitary, grows in soil and also on termite mounds) and ‘Nuchchi Kumm’ (Termitomyces microcarpus). The cluster of this mushroom is usually spread all throughout the location in specks of white. While the ‘Kode Kumm’ is usually salted and toasted on a raw flame in the fireplace, the others are prepared as curry to consume them with rice rotis.

Interestingly, according to an on-going research, lightning makes mushrooms more plentiful. The research is based on a Japanese traditional knowledge where they welcome storms over their fields based on the belief that lightning strikes provoke plentiful harvests of mushrooms. A research is being conducted by scientists in northern Japan where they are bombarding a variety of mushrooms in lab-based garden plots with artificially induced lightning to see if electricity actually makes the fungi multiply. 

The results show that lightning-strength jolts of electricity can more than double the yield of certain mushroom species compared with conventional cultivation methods.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 14th, 2021

Madikeri: Journalists turn active partners in servicing Covid affected people

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Covid-19 (wef. May 31, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All
Journalists turn active partners in servicing Covid affected people
Journalists turn active partners in servicing Covid affected people

HIGHLIGHTS

Journalists in this hill district have proved that they can go beyond their call of duty and serve society actively.

Madikeri:

Journalists in this hill district have proved that they can go beyond their call of duty and serve society actively.

The Kodagu district Press Club president Ramesh Kuttappa has formed ‘Madhyama Spandana’ to reach out to the poor, disabled and Covid patients after the pandemic broke out in the country over a year ago.

The team supplies food and medicines to coronavirus patients with the money raised from donors. As the district is hilly terrain, no public transport is available for the poor to buy medicines. The team comprising 50 journalists have supported poor families by paying school fees of their children.

The State government has declared journalists as Covid warriors keeping in view their exposure to the danger of getting infected with coronavirus while covering news. Some journalists have proved true to the distinction conferred on them by the government by volunteering to serve Covid patients in their leisure time. In one instance, the team of journalists arranged a vehicle to ferry five patients to Mysuru hospital for a medical emergency.

Amid lockdown rural people, in particular, are facing much trouble in seeking medical help. But a phone call to ‘Madhyama Spandana’ is enough. A team of journalists readily help them reach hospital. If needed, medicines are delivered at their doorstep. The team also distributed free food kits to the poor.

On May 16, when volunteers were unavailable, ‘Madhyama Spandana’ team stepped in to perform the final rites of an 85-year-old resident of Balamuri village near Madikeri. The family of the deceased, who had also tested positive for Covid, wanted to cremate him at an estate located half a km away from their residence.

But as they were Covid positive, none of the villagers came forward to help them. The son of the deceased man then turned to volunteers of ‘Madhyama Spandana’ who cremated the body. The team has provided a laptop to a poor college student in another case.

Speaking to The Hans India on Saturday, Press Club president Ramesh Kuttappa said his team was doing a humble service in their own small way. “Everyday, we hear tragic stories of deaths, hunger and disease. These are all depressing. Instead of merely reporting daily miseries, we have planned to support the poor and needy.”

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh, Hans News Service / June 13th, 2021

Anganwadi teacher from Kodagu plays multiple roles to fight Covid

Amazing Feats, Covid-19 (wef. May 31, 2021), Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

BM Pushpavathi, an Anganwadi teacher from rural Kodagu, has donned multiple hats during the pandemic.

BM Pushpavathi

Madikeri :

BM Pushpavathi, an Anganwadi teacher from rural Kodagu, has donned multiple hats during the pandemic. Her job as school teacher might have taken a backseat, but her responsibilities have trebled, as she shuffles her roles as healthcare worker, inspector, motivator and nurse.

“Anganwadis across the district shut their doors on March 14 last year. Since then, we are on the field, fighting the pandemic,” said Pushpavathi.

She is from Bettageri village in Madikeri taluk, and has so far visited 120 houses in the area to check on residents who have tested Covid-19 positive.

“I, alongwith an ASHA worker and healthcare assistant, visit houses of patients in my area and ensure that they stay indoors for 14 days. We also ensure that no one enters containment zones. During the first wave of the pandemic, we faced a lot of hostility as our visit exposed residents who had tested positive. But we pushed through and created awareness among people to fight the infection,” she explained.

Her responsibility as Anganwadi worker also has to be fulfilled, and she follows up on the health of pregnant women and toddlers in her area.

“Even during the pandemic, we did not shirk our responsibilities,” she said proudly.

“My job demands that I check the health of pregnant women and children aged 0-6 years. We have to ensure that pregnant women follow an ideal diet, and after delivery, we follow up on how they breastfeed babies. We create awareness on health.”

With online classes due to start soon for toddlers, she has kept ready materials that are to be shared with parents.

“I am in charge of nearly 260 families in Bettageri area and our team walks up to estates to keep track of residents’ health. However, not many know that Anganawadi teachers are involved in fighting Covid, and that sometimes makes me sad,” she said.

And all this warrior has got until now from the panchayat is free masks, and no special benefits.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna G R, Express News Service / June 13th, 2021

Up close with birds, walk-in aviary to open in a month

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All

In a move to draw more tourists to the Scotland of Karnataka, the Forest Department and local administration have created a walk-in exotic bird aviary in Kodagu

The walk-in aviary created at Cauvery Nisargadhama, Kodagu district | EXPRESS

Bengaluru : 

In a move to draw more tourists to the Scotland of Karnataka, the Forest Department and local administration have created a walk-in exotic bird aviary in Kodagu. Though it was inaugurated by Housing Minister V Sommanna on Friday, it will be opened to the public only after a month.

The aviary has been created in Cauvery Nisargadhama, where a dedicated area of around 2,000 sqft for an enclosure has been created. Visitors can walk in and feed the birds. Shivaram Babu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Kodagu told The New Sunday Express that a metal structure has been erected with mesh so that peopl e and birds are not inconvenienced.

The list of birds being procured to be housed include, budgies, African lovebirds, cockatiel, Conure varieties, African grey parrot, macaw, pheasant, turkeys, geese and ducks.

A Koi fish pond and fish spa, housing Gurra rufa (doctor fish), is also being created, he said.

The concept is very popular in foreign countries, especially the island nations. Some conservationists and activists have questioned the need for such a project in Kodagu. “The area is known for its lush green forest patches, vegetation, biodiversity and wildlife. There is no need to bring in exotic birds and have such an aviary. Instead, a bird-watching site can be created,” an activist said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / June 13th, 2021

COVID-19 vaccination soon in Kodagu’s coffee estates

Agriculture, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Covid-19 (wef. May 31, 2021), Records, All

Growers agree not to bring workers to estates from other places until June 21 as a measure to control the spread of infection

Coffee workers in Kodagu will soon get the jabs against COVID-19 with the authorities planning to launch vaccination drive in plantations for making the coffee land safe from the pandemic.

The support of large plantations and companies operating in the district has been sought for making it successful.

Former Speaker and MLA K.G. Bopaiah, who spoke about the vaccination plans, advised the owners of plantations not to use workers returning from COVID-19 Care Centres, after recovering from COVID-19, immediately for work in estates. They must be placed in quarantine for at least a week before redeployment.

“The owners must follow the guidelines and ensure control of the infection. Give priority for saving lives and health. The essential works in estates can be done using the locally available workers,” he said at a growers’ meeting in Madikeri on Thursday.

Various coffee growers’ associations in Kodagu have pledged support to the district administration for making Kodagu COVID-19 free even as the lockdown in the coffee land has been extended till June 21 based on its positivity rate.

The growers have resolved not to bring workers from other places for work in estates across Kodagu until June 21. It was decided to make use of the locally available workers.

Earlier, Mr .Bopaiah, who chaired the meeting, said COVID-19 was coming under control in Kodagu. However, there have been reports of infection being reported among workers coming here for work. “The estate owners must avoid bringing workers from other places for the time being. This measure can help us in fighting the pandemic effectively and preventing the spread,” he observed.

Mr. Bopaiah warned of seizing vehicles ferrying workers from other places.

The growers urged the former Speaker to take a delegation to New Delhi after the lockdown ends to highlight the plight of coffee growers and the difficulties faced by the industry.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – June 11th, 2021

Jackfruits Dumped On Roadsides In Kodagu To Feed Wild Elephants

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Coffee growers find novel ways to protect their estates from herd raids

Kushalnagar:

Jackfruit is elephants’ favourite fruit and they can smell the ripe ones from miles away. Elephants are dead clever and determined. If the fruit is too high for them to reach they’ll shake the tree with their trunk until the fruit falls to the ground. And if there is an electric fence, they will break it down with a dry tree trunk and enter any plantation. 

It is jackfruit season in Kodagu now and wild elephants raiding coffee estates in search of jackfruits is commonplace. They camp for days inside estates putting the lives of estate owners and also labourers in jeopardy as no one can venture into the estates till the herd or even a lone tusker leaves the property. 

Wary of elephant raids, farmers and coffee growers have adopted newer ways and means to save their lives and property. They are plucking jackfruits from the trees and dumping them on the elephant path. 

In fact, the Forest Department has to intervene in such elephant raids. But with no help forthcoming from the Department officers, who don’t even pay compensation to the loss of coffee plants, estate owners have taken this initiative and it has proved a success too. The elephants entering estates has minimised, if not totally prevented. 

Wild elephant menace is rampant in Aiguru, Kandanakolli, Kodlipet, Shirangala Nakoor, Abyathmangala, Chettalli and Seventh Hoskote in the North of the district and Srimangala, Ammathi, Thithimathi, Ponnampet, Kutta and Balele in Virajpet and Ponnampet taluks. 

Forests in these areas mostly comprise teak wood which is why elephants are falling short of food and in jackfruit season, they raid the estates. Repeated requests of the villagers to the Forest Department to chase elephants back to the forest have fallen on deaf ears. 

Path identified and dumped

Now in this season, jackfruits are found piled up on the roadsides and growers hope the elephants hog these jackfruits instead of entering into their plantations. But the planters cannot cut the jackfruit trees inside their own estates as they do not have tree rights and have to seek permission from the Department — a tedious job, especially during COVID times.

“We identify the path usually taken by elephants roaming around and dump tractor-loads of jackfruits on the way and also near lakes that are frequented by elephants. It is a big loss if a herd of 20 to 25 elephants enter an estate. We are not worried about them eating jackfruits but in the process, they destroy many coffee plants,” says Arun Kumar, an estate owner at Abyathmangala. 

On an average, over 1,000 kgs of jackfruits are dumped on the roadsides in the vicinity of every major estate. “We spend extra money and pay the labourers who make time to cut jackfruits amidst the tree-topping work,” he added. 

Villagers oppose move

However, the trend has been opposed by some villagers in Abyathmangala-Kushalnagar Range who fear for their safety. They claimed that some of the estate owners’ move is endangering their lives. Anil a, villager said that despite many pleas, the estate owners dump jackfruits by the side of the road and they can’t even go on the road fearing wild tuskers. 

However, Ajith Kumar, an estate owner on the Siddapura Road said that he had asked his estate workers to dump the fruits by the side of a lake that is frequented by elephant herds. “By mistake they have dumped on a roadside near the village and next time we will dump fruits on elephant path. Last year, we faced severe losses as many coffee tree branches were broken as herds entered my estate. This is the only visible solution,” he said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 05th, 2021

Assam polls, lockdown hit coffee plantations in Karnataka hard

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All
File picture of people from Assam working in a coffee estate near Arehalli in Belur taluk of Hassan district.  

Workers from the north-east have not returned, affecting seasonal work ahead of the rainy days

Hundreds of plantation workers in Karnataka, who went to Assam to vote in the Assembly elections held in March-April this year, have not returned, affecting the seasonal work ahead of the rainy days.

Restrictions on public transport as part of the lockdown over the COVID-19 pandemic has not allowed them to travel, though they wish to come back.

Thousands of people from Assam and other neighbouring States in north-east India work in coffee estates of Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts. They stay in the quarters provided by the planters and visit their native places once a year. Whenever elections are held, they take a break from work and travel to exercise their franchise.

Mahesh C.S., former president of Hassan District Planters’ Association, says many planters had not been able to complete tree pruning and plant pruning, mandatory seasonal work ahead of the rains. “Normally, we finish this work before June and keep the ground prepared with medicinal spray and manure. All these works have remained undone,” he said. Planters are forced to depend on local workers, who demand higher wages and work for fewer hours than the Assam workers do, he added. The wages for tree pruning, a skilled job, is around ₹700 to ₹800 a day. For other works, a worker gets around ₹300 to ₹350 in normal circumstances.

B.S. Jairam, former president of Karnataka Growers Federation, who has an estate in Mudigere Ttluk, is worried that the present situation could affect the production of coffee later this year. “The planters are already facing too many problems due to the pandemic. The payments are stuck due to restrictions on shipment and many have not recovered from the loss suffered in the floods in previous years. Only those who could retain workers in their quarters with sufficient supply of ration have completed the seasonal work”, he said.

Over the years local workers hardly stay in estate quarters. They reside in their villages and commute to estates daily by vehicles. But now they cannot do so as there are restrictions on vehicular movement “The police do not allow ferrying workers to estates. Only those settled in the nearby areas reach to the estates by walk and work,” he said.

Besides the people from Assam, many from the north Karnataka districts also work in the estates. They also return to their native places during March-April. This year they too could not return. Prasad Raxidi, a planter at Raxidi in Sakleshpur taluk, said the local workers were getting work and also good pay these days. “Only those who have returned from bigger cities after losing their jobs in the lockdown are not getting jobs that suit them,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Sathish G T / Hassan – June 10th, 2021