Monthly Archives: November 2014

Kodagu may see 35 lakh tourists this year

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, World Opinion

Mysuru :

With its postcard-perfect settings, pleasant climes and green environs, Kodagu is a dream destination for holiday goers. No wonder then that the ‘Scotland of India’ is seeing an influx of visitors. While the average number of tourists hovers around 25 lakh a year, this year may spring a surprise. “The number may cross 35 lakh,” says V Paneesh, assistant director of the tourism department.

The department itself is taken aback at this unprecedented footfall and interest in the hilly district. For, the infrastructural facilities in Kodagu provided by the government are no match for the flood of tourists. But the growing number of home stays set up by locals has somewhat offset the government’s apathy. While 249 home stays are registered, a recent drive by the administration to persuade more home stay owners to legalize their business has upped the number to 477. In addition, there are more than unregistered 1,500 home stays doing brisk business. Vinitha Karumbaiah, secretary of the Kodagu Home Stay Association, said this year saw heavy tourist rush during October.

While tourists rave about the scenic splendours of Kodagu, they wish more attention is paid to infrastructure too. Home stays should be regulated to avoid exploitation of visitors, says Pallavi Abhishek Majumdar, a tourist from north India staying in a Madikeri home stay. Regular buses should be arranged for tourists with guides to visit the spots, she adds.

KSTDC MD P S Harsha says the department has commenced trial bus trips from Madikeri to Abby Falls and Talacauvery and assured to introduce more buses to other tourist spots depending on the demand.

Why kodagu beckons?

What makes Kodagu attractive for tourists is that it has something for everyone, be it adventure tourism, temples, historical places or wildlife parks. Some of the popular spots include Talacauvery, Bhagamandala, Abbey Falls, Madikeri fort, Raja’s Seat, Omkareshwara temple, Nalaknad fort and Chelavara Falls near Napoklu, Dubare elephant camp and river rafting centre, Nisargadhama, golden temple at the nearby Tibetan settlement, Irpu Falls and Nagarhole National Park in South Kodagu, Mallalli Falls and Pushpagiri hills in Somwarpet taluk.

Tourists set to multiply

Tourist inflow to Kodagu is bound to multiply in the coming years for various reasons. As it shares the border with Kerala and is landlocked by coastal Dakshina Kannada district and Hassan and Mysuru cities, it’s a hop-over destination for many. That other historic and tourist-driven cities like Mysuru and Hassan are within reach makes it even attractive.

The commissioning of international airport in Kerala’s Kannur, 95 km from Madikeri, is also expected to boost tourism here. “Once this airport gets commissioned in mid 2016, tourist numbers will rise drastically,” says Paneesh, adding that tourists who fly in now have to come via Bengaluru or Mangaluru, which are far from Kodagu.

However, tour organizers and home stay owners feel the department should work out a comprehensive plan to manage the crowd of visitors as they foresee problems in waste disposal, transport and infrastructure apart from civic and administrative hassles. They also want the government to encourage resorts and home stays and ease laws to cope with the increasing tourist inflow.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysuru / TNN / November 29th, 2014

Expert panel to arrive at Madikeri today

About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Kasturirangan Varadi Horata Samiti Member Cheranda Nanda Subbaiah called upon people of Kodagu district to arrive at large number to express their opposition to Kasturirangan report, during the visit of State-level expert panel members, at Fort premises in Madikeri on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, he said: “The people of the district should stop the recommendations of Kasturirangan report from implementing as it is question of our future generation. The draft published by the Central government is completely anti-people. Members of the various organisations and general public should express their objections before the expert panel members,” he said.

“The recomendation is made to identify Western Ghat and 10 km of nearby area as ecologically sensitive areas and ban mining and other activities in the region. So, opposing the reporting is our necessity and need of the hour. We have do demand to keep residential areas, farm land, coffee plantations, Devarakaadu areas of tribal out of the ecologically sensitive area. If we don’t get positive response from government’s side, we will continue our protest,” he said.

If they declare ecologically sensitive areas, C and D land, Baane lands will be declared as deemed forest. Buffer zones will also be declared. Later, where is the land for people for living? he questioned. The people of the district have same opinion about the Kasturirangan report and the government can not implement the recommendations of the report against public opinion. People from every village will come to Madikeri to submit their objection, he added.

Committee Member Bottangady Raju said that panel should make changes in the demands submitted by the people.

Ready to share woes

Various political party leaders and heads of organisations would submit memorandums to the panel members who will collect opinions of people who live in the areas which come under ecologically sensitive areas. Along with Kasturirangan Varadi Virodhi Horata Samiti, Congress, BJP and JD(S) leaders, MP Pratap Simha, MLA K G Bhopaiah, Appachu Ranjan, Zilla Panchayat President Shareen Subbaiah and many others will submit memorandums.

Congress District President B T Pradeep said that no development work can be started in 53 villages which would come under ecologically sensitive areas. It would make life hazardous for the people. JD(S) District President V P Shashidhar said that similar protest was conducted against Kasturirangan report at Kerala and the Central government had to drop many places from the list.

Concession should be given in Kodagu also. We will give a memorandum to the expert panel, he said.

DH News Service

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

Madikeri: Girls Top District-level Debate Competition Held at Ponnampet

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

Madikeri:

A district-level debate competition was conducted by Sri Sai Shankar School, Ponnampet for PU and degree students on the topic ‘Harassment of girls in educational institutions’.

The first prize was won by Pragathi of 2nd PUC, St Joseph’s PU College, Madikeri while the second prize was won by K C Thanvi Thangamma of 1st PUC, Vidyaniketan PU College, Gonikoppa, Kodagu.

Thanvi Thangamma is the daughter of Kallichanda Suresh Chengappa and Kavitha Kaveramma Kallichanda, residents of Balele in south Kodagu.

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Mangalorean.com / Home / by Special Correspondent with inputs from Mohan Devaiah / August 21st, 2014

Coffee Board blends co-op subsidies into coffee kettle

Agriculture, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

In an effort to enhance the production of robusta and arabica coffees, the Coffee Board has proposed higher allocation for replanting and expansion, Coffee Board Chairman Jawaid Akhtar said on Thursday.

Under the 12th Plan subsidy rates have been proposed at 40 per cent for up to 2 hectares, 30 per cent for 2-10 hectares and 25 per cent for holdings of above 10 hectares.

Inaugurating the United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI) and Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) coffee conference on Thursday, Akhtar said, “Coffee Board has proposed to increase the unit cost by 75 per cent to Rs 1,75,000 per hectare.”
For the first time, the Board has included corporates and co-operatives to avail of the subsidy.

Besides, the Board has also introduced subsidy for eco-certification at 50 per cent of the certification cost at a ceiling of Rs 50,000 per beneficiary. It has also enhanced subsidy for quality upgradation to Rs 2.50 lakh for up to 20 hectares.

UPASI President Vijayan Rajes said the coffee committee of UPASI will submit a proposal to the Coffee Board to forward it to the Centre to release funds for producing two new robusta clones and one robusta seedling. This will be in collaboration with Incaper, Brazil’s premium research organisation for conillon robusta.

“We are planning to have a new proposal to get India-specific arabica plants with know-how from Brazil,” Rajes added. “This will help us have 10 million clones supplied to coffee growers in the first four years; and, from the fifth year, the share of Indian robusta will be increased by 50 per cent,” Rajes said.

B M Mahesh Kumar, a coffee planter from Hosathota Estate, Ballupet, spoke on ‘Achieving High Productivity of Black Pepper through Water, Shade and Nutrition Management’. He said, “Disease control can be effected by following judicious Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).”

“Many people are taking up mono pepper cultivation at the cost of arabica coffee which is not a good sign,” Kumar said, adding that farmers should adopt innovative methods to multiply pepper vines for higher production.

Indian Vanilla Enterprise Pvt Ltd and Indian Vanilla Initiative Pvt Ltd, Pollachi, Chairman R Mahendran speaking on ‘Cocoa Cultivation, Processing and Management’, said that the opportunity of cultivating cocoa as another inter-crop for coconut, arecanut and oil palm in select regions of Karnataka holds promise.

Ease of cultivation and management make cocoa an attractive income generator, Mahendran added.

UPASI-TRF (Tea Research Foundation) Valparai, Quality Assurance Assistant Director N Palani stressed the importance of maintaining organic matter in the soil for preserving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil.

Palani added that since the top soil is rich in humus, it has to be safeguarded from erosion for which soild and water conservation measures, depending on the slope of the terrain, must be taken.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Business / DHNS – Bengaluru, November 14th, 2014

Teaming up with Ivanov helping my game: Ashwini Ponnappa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Ponnappa says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task. (TOI Photo)
Ponnappa says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task. (TOI Photo)

Pune :

For a Sania Mirza or Leander Paes, combining with a foreign partner is a part and parcel of the game. But the trend isn’t very popular in badminton.

Though it started as an experiment for doubles specialist Ashwini Ponnappa, the Karnataka shuttler is hopeful of her newly-formed partnership with Russian men’s player Vladmir Ivanov.

Playing with Ivanov will not only add another dimension to her perspective, but also help do better in women’s doubles with Jwala Gutta.

“With Ivanov, I will learn new training methods, techniques, which are followed in that part of the world. It will also help me do well with Jwala in women’s doubles, which is my pet event,” said the 2011 World Championship bronze winner.

Ponnappa, who has played with Ivanov in three tournaments so far, says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task.

“It is a trial-and-error thing until you find the right partner,” said the 25-year-old player, who has previously partnered compatriot Tarun Kona.

For Ponnappa, the idea struck after her stint in the Indian Badminton League (IBL) last year. “You can say that the IBL experience of playing with Joachim Fischer has been the best for me so far. I learnt a lot while playing with Joachim. It made me open up to the idea of having a foreign partner for international meets,” the Bangalorean said.

With Ivanov, Ponnappa is aiming to improve her mixed doubles world ranking. “I have played three tournaments together with Ivanov and hopefully we will participate in more, next year. Improving on the mixed doubles rankings would be priority,” she said.

Though the association is allowed in Super Series, World Championships and other open championships, she will not be able to carry it to the Olympics or the Asian Games.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Badminton / by Tushar Dutt, TNN / November 15th, 2014

Coffee Board targets 400,000 tonnes production in 5 years

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Enhances subsidy rates and extends assistance to corporates & co-operatives in 12th Plan period

The Coffee Board has set a target of achieving 400,000 tonnes of bean production through more of planting and productivity in the next five to 10 years, about 30 per cent growth over current output.

In 2013-14, production was 304,500 tonnes, a level it has roughly stayed at in recent years.

“Coffee production has stagnated. We have chalked out several programmes like area expansion in non-traditional areas and replanting in traditional areas, along with productivity enhancement,” Board chairman Jawaid Akhtar told planters here on Thursday.

A package has been readied for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Plantations in the former’s Araku valley were hit by the recent Hudhud cyclone; about 1,000 tonnes of damage is estimated. Tribals in the region had grown around 6,700 tonnes, spread over 58,000 hectares, Akhtar said. As part of the area expansion, he told the annual coffee conference organised by Karnataka Planters’ Association and United Planters’ Association of Southern India, the aim is to have the Araku valley produce around 25,000 tonnes in the next five years. The Board has proposed to provide Rs 10 per kg subsidy to tribals for marketing it, he said.

The Board has also proposed to continue its replantation and expansion subsidy for growers. The modalities to implement new schemes are likely to be approved next week, Akhtar said. It wishes to retain the replantation or expansion subsidy rates at 40 per cent for areas up to two hectares, 30 per cent for two to 10 ha and 25 per cent for holdings above 10 ha for the 12th Plan period. In addition, it has proposed to raise the unit cost calculation by 75 per cent to Rs 175,000 a ha. For the first time, it has proposed to have corporate groups and co-operatives be eligible for the subsidy.

Also for the first time, the Board has introduced a subsidy for eco-certification, at half the certification cost, with a ceiling of Rs 50,000 a beneficiary. It has also raised the subsidy for quality upgradation to Rs 2.5 lakh up to 20 ha.

The Board has also continued a subsidy scheme for pollution abatement measures and made corporate and cooperative growers’ bodies eligible. The rate of subsidy is to be doubled to 40 per cent, with a ceiling of Rs 5 lakh for a beneficiary.

It has also proposed to enhance the rainfall insurance premiums for small growers and reimburse them up to 75 per cent of the premium. For the first time, it has proposed a support of Rs 4 a kg of clean coffee to small grower collectives, self-help groups and other cooperatives.

The incentive for export of value-added coffee in retail packs as India brands has been enhanced by 50 per cent to Rs 3 a kg. Plus a doubling of the incentive for export of high value coffee to high value markets, to Rs 2 a kg.

Also for the first time, a 25 per cent subsidy on the cost of machinery for curing units, to a ceiling of Rs 50 lakh each.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Markets> Commodities> Other Commodities / by Mahesh Kulkarni / Bengaluru – November 13th, 2014

Robusta surge expected to brew up higher coffee output

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

India’s coffee production is forecast to increase by 1 lakh bags to 5.1 million on higher robusta output in Karnataka, the largest coffee producing state, according to the Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) Chairman D Govindappa Jayaram.

Briefing reporters on Wednesday, Jayaram said arabica production is forecast modestly lower as it enters the off-year of the biennial production cycle. Forecast for bean exports is unchanged at 3.7 million. The Coffee Board’s final estimate for 2013-14 is 3,04,500 lakh metric tonnes comprising 1,02,200 metric tonnes of arabica and 2,02,300 metric tonnes of robusta.

The final estimate for Karnataka is 2,11,100 tonnes with 78,440 tonnes of arabica and 1,32,600 tonnes of robusta. Post-blossom forecast for 2014-15 is placed at 3,44,750 metric tonnes comprising 1,05,500 tonnes of arabica and 2,39,250 tonnes of robusta.“We, however, estimate that production will decline 20-30 per cent during 2013-14 and the estimate of the Coffee Board during 2014-15 will not be reached, in particular, arabica coffee which has seen severe incidence of white stem borer,” Jayaram said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Business / Bengaluru – DHNS, November 12th, 2014

State-level co-operative week from November 14

Business & Economy

CooperativeKF23nov2014

The 61st All India Cooperative week will be observed in the state at Raitha Bhavan in Kushalnagar from November 14. All preparations have been made for the success of the programme, said Kodagu district Central Cooperative Bank President B D Manjunath.

Addressing mediapersons in Madikeri on Wednesday, he said that a jatha will be carried out from Primary school at 10 am. The jatha, comprising art troupes will reach Raitha Bhavan at 11 am, followed by the stage function.

District in-charge minister K J George will hoist the organisation flag. Minister for Cooperation H S Mahadevaprasad will inaugurate, Excise minister V Srinivas Prasad will felicitate senior leaders from cooperation sector.

MLA MP Appachu Ranjan will inaugurate a book ‘Sahakarigalondige Samalochane’ on the occasion. MLA K G Bopaiah will unviel the portrait of Cooperative movement pioneer Kuradanagowda P Doddaiah. MP Prathap Simha will inaugurate an exhibition. Senior leader of the cooperative sector M C Nanaiah will be felicitated on the occasion. Cooperative Union President G T Devegowda will preside over.

The entrance archs will of the venue will be named after Dr Varghese Kurian, Siddannagowda, Sannaramanagowda Patil, Kuradanagowda Doddiah and S R Varadaraju Shetty. The 61st All India Cooperative week will be observed with the coordination of State Cooperative Union, State credit cooperative association union and District Central Cooperative Banks.

Kodagu district Cooperative Union President M P Muthappa said that special lectures will be organised for students.

Cooperative Union Deputy Registrar G R Vijay Kumar, DCC Bank General Manager Muthanna, Kodagu district Cooperative Union CEO Yogendra Nayak and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, November 13th, 2014

Star this Week : Ekalavya Awardee Navaneetha

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

NavaneethaBF22nov204

Basketball is a very popular sport in the International sporting scene and it’s a game which demands speed, ability and stamina. Our city’s women’s basketball player P.U. Navaneetha has been a outstanding performer for Karnataka in the senior and junior levels. She has represented India in the FIBA Asia Youth Cup and has also attended the Indian Junior camp. She was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Ekalavya Award’ for her feats in the sport at a grand function held at Vidhana Soudha last week. She is our ‘Star This Week.’

Navaneetha, 20, is the daughter of P.P. Udhay Kumar and P.U. Girija, residents of Suntikoppa, Kodagu. A 1st year MA student at Teresian College for Women, Mysuru, and a product of the Department of Youth & Empowerment Services (DYES, Mysuru), Navaneetha has been performing consistently in National and State basketball scene.

Encouraged by her parents, she joined Sports School, Vidyanagar and later on joined Sports Hostel, Mysuru, in 2006. Initially she was coached by B.S. Girish, SAK Basketball coach and presently she is being trained by DYES & SAK Basketball coach M.B. Patil at DYES, Mysuru.

A forward, Navaneetha is an attacking player and impresses with her skilful play. She began her career by representing Karnataka in the School Nationals held at Punjab in 2008 and from then on has never looked back. She has represented the State in the women’s Nationals, Youth Nationals in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, she represented the State in the Senior and Junior Nationals in Delhi.

She represented the Mysore University in the Inter-University Championships in 2011-12 at Kannur and has been a regular in the team from then on.

In 2009-10, her excellent play in the Nationals earned her the Indian cap when she donned Indian colours in the 1st FIBA Asia U-16 Championships held at Pune. She also took part in the NBA All India Tournament held at Delhi in 2001-12.

She took part in the Junior Indian and Youth Indian camp held at Deli and Tamil Nadu respectively. She represented Karnataka in the Federation Cup held at Gujarat in 2013-14.

Encouraged by her parents, coaches, DYES, Teresian College and the Mysore University, Navaneetha intends to work hard and represent the country in the senior level

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Sunday , November 16th, 2014

‘Submit report on ESAs by Nov 24’

About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

MadkeriKF22nov2014

The High level Working Group of Western Ghats (HLWG) has identified 1,576 villages in Karnataka as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA). Of which, 53 villages have been included in Kodagu district. Additional DC Abhiram G Shankar and DCF Manikanta have directed the officials from Forest and Revenue departments to submit the report on ESAs after conducting a survey by November 24.

Speaking at a training for the officials on Monday, the Additional DC said that the officials should visit the identified villages and submit a report. After compiling the reports submitted by the officials, a detailed report will be sent to the State government.

Teams have been constituted to identify natural landscapes. The district level committee will have DC and forest officials as its members, while the village level committee will have officials from revenue, forest and gram panchayat president as its members. The public and NGOs can give their representation on ESAs to the district level committee.

The Additional DC said, if need be, the survey would be undertaken after consulting Horticulture and Agriculture departments.

Villages
The villages identified as ESAs are Ayyangeri, Bettathooru, Bhagamandala, Chelavara, Cherangala, Galibeedu, Hammiyala, Kalooru, Karada, Karike, Kolagadalu, Kopatti, Kundachery, Made, Melchembu, Monnangeri, Mukkodlu, Naladi, Peroor, Sampaje, Sannapolikotu, Tannimani and Yavakapady in Madikeri taluk; Aanekadu, Athoor forest, Bageri forest, Jainkalabetta, Yadavanadu, Jainkalabetta 2, Kattepura, Kumaralli, Maralli, Malambi, Mavinahalla, Mulluru, Nidta, Soorlabbu and Yadavanadu forest -2 in Somwarpet taluk and Arekeri forest-1, Arekere forest-3, Badaga, Badagarakeri, Chennayana Kote, Devamacchi forest, Devanooru Hathugattu, Teggalli, Karadigodu, Kedamullur, Kurchi, Kutta, Kuttandi, Maldare, Manchalli, Nalakeri forest, Palangala forest, Parakattageri and Badaga in Virajpet taluk.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, November 11th, 2014