Monthly Archives: July 2023

Human-Elephant Conflict In Kodagu: Thermal Drone Pinpoints Elephant Presence At Night

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Helps Forest Officers effectively plan operations and drive pachyderms back into jungle.

Amid the rise in the human-elephant conflict in some forested pockets of Kodagu along the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, the Forest Department has deployed a hi-tech thermal drone to keep track of daytime and nocturnal movements of wild elephants inside forest ranges and human habitats.

The drone technology was first used in Nagarahole to control forest fires and now, there are three such drones there. However, a need was felt to acquire a thermal drone due to the increasing human-elephant conflict.

Sources said while managing the human-elephant conflict, the safety of elephants and also humans has been a major concern for the Forest Department and the wildlife activists as deaths of animals are being frequently reported from various parts of the district as they come into contact with live electricity wires.

Due to the need, one thermal drone was brought to Nagarahole in January this year at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh. Monitoring the movement of the elephants has always been a challenge for the Department amid several limitations.

“Now we have been using a thermal drone and it detects live objects through their body temperature and those get flashed on the computer screen. It gives us a proper count of a herd and the number of calves,” Nagarahole Tiger Reserve Director Harshakumar Chikkanaragund told Star of Mysore.

The drone can also be used to drive the elephant herd away from a potential danger area as its location can be pinpointed. The drones are not only helping the staff determine the herd composition and drive them in a desirable direction but also prevent casualties.

Heat signatures of living species

Unlike drones with normal cameras that rely on light signals to capture images, thermal drone cameras pick up heat signatures of living species in motion. This makes thermal drones ideal for deployment after sunset, complementing the use of normal drones during daylight hours.

“By accurately detecting herd movements, determining their composition and tracking elephant directions, objective decisions can be made for deploying elephant squads. Thermal drone cameras have become an invaluable asset for night-time operations. They enhance situational awareness, ensuring efficient management of wild elephant movements and mitigating potential conflicts,” Harshakumar added.

According to Deputy Range Forest Officer (DRFO) Yogeshwari Desai, who has been trained to use the thermal drone, the machine has a 2-km range and can fly 400 metres above the surface. It has a powerful thermal sensor and night vision ‘positive image’ technology cameras. It is convenient to use and the exact location can be ascertained. If one has to do physical combing even for a 2-km range, a lot of manpower and equipment is needed,” she explained. 

Easy navigation inside woods

The camera on the drone operates based on the location information obtained via GPS, enabling easy navigation of the elephants’ whereabouts. Additionally, the drones produce minimal noise, allowing the staff to monitor animals such as elephants, tigers and other wildlife without causing any disturbance

During the night, the thermal drones conduct operations using radar, ensuring that local residents are not inconvenienced. Once the specific location of the elephants is identified, the information is sent to the Task Force and the teams proceed to drive the elephants back into the forest.

It also becomes easy to spot the origin of forest fire and extinguishers can be rushed to the place, she said. The drone has a backup of 40 minutes and after that, the battery must be charged. The drone has three batteries.

The team that has been trained to operate thermal drone at Nagarahole.

Trained team

Before the drone was deployed, a New Delhi-based team trained eight operators at Nagarahole. They are DRFO Jyothi Kumar and Forest Guard Sunil Nellebidu (Antharasanthe), DRFO B.B. Mahesh Kumar (D.B. Kuppe), DRFO Chethan Kumar Kolur (Nagarahole), DRFO Yogeshwari Desai (Anechowkur), DRFOs K.K. Arpitha and H.N. Madhuprasad (Hunsur) and Forest Guard Basavaraju (Veeranahosahalli).

The operators were trained for six days at Dammanakatte, Veeranahosahalli and Moorkal ranges that abut human habitats. The Nagarahole Director further said that they will seek aid from wildlife-related organisations, NGOs and firms to sponsor more such thermal drones for effective management of conflict zones.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles, Top Stories /July 18th, 2023

Glass Bridge In Kodagu Offers Thrilling Encounter With Nature

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), , , , , , ,

Among the multiple famed tourist attractions in the hill station of Kodagu — a captivating destination for travellers from far and wide throughout the year — is a new must-visit place, a brand-new glass skywalk bridge.

It is made of tempered glass panels or flooring that provide visitors with a thrilling experience of walking above ground level, often offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape

The glass skywalk bridge in the district is the second such attraction in South India, the first one being at Wayanad in Kerala at 900 Kandi Eco Park. This remarkable Glass Skywalk Bridge of Kodagu is nestled amidst the forests and hills of the Western Ghats, attracting tourists like a magnet.

The bridge, standing approximately 78 feet tall, with a length of about 32 metres and a width of 2 metres, has been attracting tourists to the ‘Pappy’s Bridge of Coorg’ at Udoth Motte near Madikeri on the Madikeri-Bhagamandala Road. This bridge, with a capacity to support around 5 tonnes, can accommodate up to 40 to 50 individuals at once, providing them with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

Through its stunning natural beauty, the tourism sector in Kodagu has successfully garnered global attention and the newly added glass skywalk bridge further enhances this tourism initiative.

Situated amidst the lush green hills, the bridge offers a breathtaking view. Standing and gazing from the bridge not only evokes a sense of fear but also provides an exhilarating experience. The surrounding hills seem to reach out and beckon, their peaks adorned with greenery.

Looking down from the top feels as if the sky is within reach and stepping on the glass, while enjoying the beauty of nature, brings joy to the visitors. While the natural beauty of Kodagu with its umpteen viewpoints has enchanted the tourists, the bridge, amidst the greenery of the hills stands this remarkable creation, skilfully erected by engineers.

Walking on the transparent glass surface, amidst the verdant nature, offers a thrilling experience that takes it to the next level. The facility, allowing tourists to indulge in the beauty of nature, was recently inaugurated by Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna who also walked along the bridge.

He appreciated the significant contribution of the local community to this tourism initiative and noted that the facility holds significance as a unique attraction in the region, surpassing even the famous glass bridge in Wayanad.

He said that the facility will contribute to the Kodagu district’s development as a nature-friendly tourist destination, without causing any harm to the environment. He also mentioned that the implementation of this unique project will lead to an increase in the number of tourists visiting the district.

Fake image

Yet again an image claiming that cracks had developed on the glass bridge went viral and the video generated panic among tourists. Later it was found to be stable and the photo was confirmed to be fake.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles, Top Stories / July 17th, 2023

CNC Delegation Meets CM For Resolution Of Ethnic Issues

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, , , , ,

Bengaluru:

The Codava National Council (CNC) delegation met Chief Minister Siddharamaiah yesterday at the CM’s Home Office ‘Krishna’ and the meeting was facilitated by Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnana.

The Chief Minister assured the CNC delegation that he would address the two major ethnic issues raised by the CNC. Firstly, he pledged to change the official nomenclature of the Codava community from ‘Kodagaru’ to ‘Kodava’ in accordance with the recommendations of the Dr. Dwarakanath Commission.

This change would be implemented soon after the Cabinet meeting and the updated name would be included in Government records and published in the State Gazette, the CM assured.

Secondly, the Chief Minister assured the delegation that a comprehensive ethnographic study would be conducted to determine the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Kodava community. The study will be initiated shortly.

The delegation was led by CNC President Nandineravanda U. Nachappa and comprised over 30 members from the community.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home > News / July 16th, 2023

State-Level Inter-Collegiate Sports Week Concludes At MICA

Education, Records, All, Sports, , ,

MICA College, Mysuru, had organised a State- level Inter-Collegiate Hockey, Cricket, Basketball and Football  tournaments in their campus from June 16 to 27.

 Sporting teams from Kodagu, Mandya, Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Mysuru fought for the coveted MI trophies and cash prizes.

In the Hockey MI3s tournament, 29 teams participated and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa (FMKMC) College, Madikeri, defeated St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru to win the trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 15,000. Runners-up were awarded a trophy and cash prize of Rs. 7,000. 

In MI Crick, 32 teams participated.  In the finals, SBRR Mahajana PG Centre defeated MIT Tandavapura and won a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 with a trophy.  Runners-up were awarded cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and a trophy. 

A total of 14 teams participated in the MI3s Basketball tournament.  In Boys category SJCE, Mysuru defeated MICA Mysuru and won Rs. 10,000 cash prize and a trophy. Runners-up were awarded cash prize of Rs. 5000 and a trophy.  In Girls category, NIE Mysuru defeated Sapient College, Mysuru in the finals. 

In the flood light MI7s Football tournament, 32 teams participated. Sacred Heart Mangalore defeated FMKMC College, Madikeri to clinch the trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 20,000.  Runners-up were awarded cash prize of Rs. 10,000 and a trophy, according to a  press release from MICA Principal.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / July 10th, 2023

Kodagu: Paddy cultivation takes a back seat owing to weather changes and wildlife conflict

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, , , , , , ,

Several farmlands in South Kodagu have been abandoned owing to bad weather conditions and the increased movement of wild elephants.

Image used for representational purpose.

Madikeri:

Paddy cultivation in the district is receding compared to yesteryears as farming is yet to pick up pace this monsoon. Changing weather conditions, natural disasters and increased wildlife conflict are other factors affecting paddy cultivation. It is said that only 48 hectares of land have been cultivated with paddy. 

Over six years ago, nearly 35,000 hectares of farmlands across Kodagu were cultivated with paddy crops. But, the extent of the cultivation has diminished over the years as the target for paddy cultivation has now been reduced to 30,500 hectares by the agriculture department.

“The increasing wildlife conflict can be seen as one of the reasons for the farmers to give up paddy cultivation in several farmlands in the district. Further, many farmers have also taken to the cultivation of horticulture crops. Increased conversion of farmlands to areca nut estates has reduced paddy cultivation,” opined Shabana Sheikh, the Joint Director of the Agriculture Department.

A total of 23180 hectares of farmland was cultivated with paddy achieving a target of 76% last year. Over 384 hectares suffered crop loss due to rainfall last year. 

The farmers of South Kodagu have increasingly given up paddy cultivation. Out of the 14000 hectares of targeted cultivation, only 9960 hectares were cultivated for paddy last year. Several farmlands in South Kodagu have been abandoned owing to bad weather conditions and the increased movement of wild elephants.

With monsoons delayed in the region this year, the paddy transplantation work is yet to pick up pace in the district. In Madikeri taluk, only 40 hectares of farmlands have recorded paddy transplantation work to date this year. Meanwhile, eight hectares of farmland have witnessed paddy transplantation in Somwarpet taluk. Nevertheless, as per the data recorded by the department, no farmlands have yet been cultivated for paddy due to delayed rains across South Kodagu including in Virajpet and Ponnampet taluks.    

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / July 11th, 2023

Gulshan Devaiah pens heartwarming note for his manger Richa: ‘She has been my cheerleader, confidant & friend…’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, , ,

Gulshan Devaiah shared a heartwarming anecdote about his manager, who rooted for his film eight years ago.

Gulshan Devaiah was last seen in Dahaad. (Pic: Gulshan/Twitter)

Actor Gulshan Devaiah on Wednesday shared a heartwarming anecdote about his manager, Richa Bhoyar. The actor, who has been a part of unconventional cinema since his debut in Anurag Kashyap’s That Girl in Yellow Boots, expressed his gratitude for Richa’s support and revealed their unique connection.

In a Twitter post, Gulshan reminisced about the time when Richa, then a college student, unknowingly championed his film Hunterrr. Back in 2015, Richa came across the movie’s poster and instantly recommended it to her friends as a fun watch. Little did they know that their paths would cross again in the future.

Sharing the heartwarming anecdote, Gulshan Devaiah wrote, “Hello 🙂 The young lady in the picture is Richa Bhoyar. In 2015, she was 20 something years old, in college, perusing her studies. She saw the poster of Hunterrr one day & told her friends that they should go watch it in the theatre because it looks like a fun movie. She & her friends had never heard of me before that day, yet she convinced around 15 of her friends to buy tickets to watch my film. They all apparently really enjoyed the film.”

Revealing how Richa became his manager, he added, “Cut to …present day, Richa, now part of Bling Entertainment, is my manager. She has been my manager, cheerleader, confidant & friend for about 2 years now. She just told me the story about Hunterrr & it put a big smile on my face & lots of warmth in heart. She had no idea that she’d be a talent manager one day & I had no idea until she told me this story earlier today. The “power of attraction” she says 😀.. I am so happy that this is how things worked out for me. Thank you Richa & many cheers to you. Cinema Zindabad!! See y’all at the movies!!” Gulshan played the role of a sex addict in Hunterrr.

Gulshan Devaiah recently received accolades for his nuanced performance as a police officer in the Amazon Prime web series Dahaad. He will be next seen in the highly anticipated show Guns & Gulaabs, helmed by hit director duo Raj and DK. He also has Sudhanshu Saria’s Ulajh, which also stars Janhvi Kapoor and Roshan Mathew.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> News> Entertainment> Bollywood / by Entertainment Desk, Chennai / July 12th, 2023

Lavazza launches its first collection of locally-roasted coffee

Coffee News, World Opinion, ,

Italy’s biggest coffee roaster Lavazza, has announced the launch of Il Mattino Vivace its first pure filter coffee blend to be sourced and processed in India for the domestic market.

Coffee is being sourced from Chikmagalur and Coorg in Karnataka and processed in Lavazza’a manufacturing facility at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh.

The facility at Sri City in Tada began its commercial operations a few weeks ago, Fresh and Honest Cafe Ltd Managing Director Silvio Zaccareo said.

Fresh and Honest Cafe Ltd is a 100 percent subsidiary of Lavazza.

Zaccareo declined to reveal the size of investment made at the factory or the number of employees working in it.

II Mattino Vivace meaning ‘lively morning’ is made from Arabica and Robusta beans roasted for the “at home” segment.

“Lavazza is known the world over for its expertise in art of blending for over four generations. II Mattino Vivace is a result of combining that expertise and our understanding of the unique consumer preferences in Indian market”, he said.

To a query, he said the coffee powder would be available in retail outlets across the country. “We are planning to complete first stage distribution by end of this month”.

Zaccareo said the company inaugurated Coffee Training Centre last year which was the first largest centre outside Italy.

The centre trains professionals, carries out research and explores new forms of taste. “We have trained more than 1,000 people,” he said.

source: http://www.retailnews.asia / RetailNews.asia / Home / by Retail Asia / July 14th, 2023

From Coorg to cricket stardom: Meet Vidwath, the next bowling sensation!

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, , , , , , ,

From land of hockey to cricket stardom, Vidwath Kaverappa takes seven-star route

IMAGE: Vidwath Kaverappa bagged seven wickets. Photograph: BCCI Domestic/Twitter

Vidwath Kaverappa entered the Karnataka pace bowling landscape in a rather tough period after the departure of stalwarts such as R Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun and S Arvind.

It might have been tough for a 24-year-old to learn the tricks of the trade almost on his own.

But now, Vidwath has established himself as his the state team’s spearhead and a potential candidate to fill an India spot. In the previous Ranji Trophy season (2022-23) Vidwath bagged 30 wickets, and he has already picked up 14 wickets from three innings in the on-going Duleep Trophy.

The numbers give the picture of a young man who is a quick learner and a keen observer. Vidwath emphasised those aspects as his strong points.

The Karnataka right-arm pacer said he has been absorbing lessons from watching the footage of South African legend Dale Steyn and veteran India bowler Mohammed Shami.

“Since I don’t have the express pace, like Prasidh (Krishna) or Vysakh (Vijayakumar), I need to seek other ways to get purchase from the wicket. So, that’s something I’ve watched great bowlers like Dale Steyn or Mohammed Shami do,” he said.

Vidwath said he has been trying to copy the seam position of those two fine bowlers.

“I have seen a lot of moments of their bowling. So, I can see how good the seam presentation is and what the ball does, even in white ball. So, why not do it in the red ball with a prominent seam, and I know I’ll get a lot more help with it,” he said.

Vidwath has shown that trait all along, even from his junior days for Lions Institutions in Gonikoppal, Coorg, and Presidency College in Bengaluru.

Samuel Jayaraj, a KSCA coach who imparted him the first lessons, remembered watching him in Coorg eight years ago during a talent hunt drive by the state association.

Back then he was pleasantly surprised to see the spirited reaction from youngsters to the camp as Coorg is the stronghold of hockey.

“Vidwath had come as an attentive kid. He never gets tired of bowling at nets and wanted to learn as much as he could. He is a natural bowler and athlete.

“Coming from Coorg, he had that natural aptitude for sports. We just have to give him direction once I saw him during that trial. We were convinced that Vidwath would be an asset to the Karnataka team, and if everything goes well, then even at a higher level,” said Jayaraj.

It was not an empty praise as evidenced by future turn of events. In 2022, Vidwath finished as the second highest wicket-taker in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, taking 18 wickets from 8 matches at an impressive economy of 6.36.

The recognition of that effort came when Punjab Kings picked him up for the IPL 2023 from the mini-auction for his base price of Rs 20 lakh.

Though he did not play a game in this edition, Kings bowling coach Charl Langeveldt is convinced of his ward’s potential


“The team combination is such that it is tough for every player to get a chance to be in the 11. In a tournament like IPL, matches come very fast and you really don’t have time to tinker with 11.

“But this kid is talented and bowls at nets with a wonderful seam (position). He, I am sure, will feature in Punjab’s scheme prominently very soon,” Langeveldt told PTI.

Vidwath knew the importance of waiting for his turn patiently after taking those bold initial steps.

“I feel like I’m learning from every game and that is important at this age for me. I knew even if I didn’t get a chance into the big team this transitional period, my time will come.”

“I’ve watched football a lot, so I know how in a great team new players come when old players leave, you need to be patient with them. So, I had to take my time and perform to the best of my abilities,” said Vidwath.

Vidwath indeed did that. He wrecked a power-packed West Zone batting unit with a seven-wicket haul. His victim list included players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw.

However, Vidwath, typical of him, did not try to wrap the performance in a magic cloak.

“I’ve always been the kind of guy who likes responsibilities, who likes to take up the heavy load and make the big moments for the team,” he said.

Perhaps, he knows bigger moments are on his way. 

source: http://www.rediff.com / rediff.com / Home> Cricket / by PTI / July 14th, 2023

Having experienced the corporate life’s exhaustion first-hand, Bajan Bopanna brings visitors to the lap of nature with Evergreen County

Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
Evergreen County allows visitors to stay in the traditional cottages of Coorg while being close to unadulterated nature

New Delhi :

While Indians are embracing digitization and working toward a better future, they are exhausting themselves in the corporate culture. The two COVID waves showed how employees working from the comfort of their homes also tend to overwork themselves, hampering their mental health along the way. This makes it important for people to find opportunities to relax and unwind.

With Evergreen County, Bajan Bopanna provides his guests with such an opportunity to find moments of calm amidst a life full of chaos. Evergreen County is an initiative that allows visitors to spend a few days in nature’s lap while embracing the traditional way of living in the best cottages of Coorg. It lets travelers live in traditional cottages and live the planters’ lives for a few days.

The award-winning conceptual stay facility in Coorg provides its clients with a blend of nature and adventure, taking them away from a life of boredom and burnout. Evergreen County steers away from being a conventional resort or a homestay. It focuses on offering a conceptual stay to the visitors by letting them live in cottages located inside the coffee and pepper plantations near Nangala Hills. Bajan and his team intend to take their guests on a unique retreat that goes beyond the mainstream definition of “luxury.”

Bajan conceptualized Evergreen County after experiencing the exhaustion of corporate life first-hand. Working as a corporate employee for several years had him wound up in a monotonous routine that drained his life of excitement and vigor. This made him mindful of the lives of thousands of employees living the same way, motivating him to come up with the concept of Evergreen County. With this conceptual stay, Bajan aims to help his guests experience the bliss, calm, and comfort that comes with becoming one with nature.

At Evergreen County, visitors can opt for cottages for group or family stays, depending on their preferences. The management facilitates accommodation in fully sanitized wooden cottages surrounded by natural aesthetics. All guests are served organic and authentic food during their stay, adding to the exotic experience of living in the woods.

Apart from facilitating wooden cottage stays, Evergreen County indulges its visitors in water activities (kayaking, coracle rides, pond swimming, etc.), adventure activities (ziplining, sky cycling, rope adventures, etc.), gun firing, archery, trekking, rafting, night plantation walks with lanterns, and much more.

Bajan believes that a retreat like Evergreen County is necessary for modern working professional to ensure their mental well-being. He says, “A concept like this is built for people to take a break from their routine life; to help them escape the concrete jungle to the real jungle, play in the natural pond, stay in bamboo wooden cottages amidst the coffee plantations, and try the Coorg way of living with great food, adventure, water activities, and much. This will definitely recharge a person completely and make a lot of difference!”

To learn more about Evergreen County and book a stay, visit its official website here: https://evergreencounty.com

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

source: http://www.aninews.in / ANI / Home> National / by ANI / July 14th, 2023


Rajyogini BK Meenakshiji Passes Away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022)

Gonikoppal (Kodagu):

Brahma Kumari (BK) Meenakshiji, a senior Rajyogini of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, who was popularly called as Meenakshi Akka, passed away on July 11 morning at a private hospital in Mangaluru.

A native of Chikkamandur in Ponnampet taluk of Kodagu district, Meenakshiji was the eldest daughter of Kallichanda K. Machaiah and Parvathi couple and is survived by four brothers

The body was kept at the Gonikoppal Branch of Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya yesterday morning for the public to pay their last respects and the mortal remains were shifted to Chikkamandur, where the last rites were performed.

Brahma Kumaris Mysuru Zone Chief Convenor BK Lakshmiji, Kodagu Zone Chief Convenor BK Gayathriji and others have condoled the death of BK Meenakshiji.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 13th, 2023