Monthly Archives: January 2025

Coffee Board to launch India’s own certification process

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It will be a welcome relief for coffee growers as they are currently bound by international standards.

The certification process involves checking if coffee producers follow guidelines that focus on quality, the environment, and social practices.(Representative image)

Bengaluru :

In a first, the Coffee Board is set to introduce India’s own coffee standards and certification process to recognise the country’s unique coffee varieties.

Coffee standards are rules set to ensure that the produce is grown, processed, and sold in a way that is consistent, of good quality, and enjoyable to drink. These standards cover everything from how coffee is grown and harvested to how it is processed and packed and evaluated for taste and aroma. The certification process involves checking if coffee producers follow guidelines that focus on quality, the environment, and social practices.

Till now, Indian growers were bound by international standards that did not account for the unique conditions in which their coffee thrives, such as cultivation under two-tier thick tree shade.

The board has introduced this plan in response to the high costs of certification, which have hindered many growers from showcasing their coffee internationally. With nearly 85% of Indian coffee remaining uncertified due to lakhs of rupees in costs for international certification, the new Indian standards will come as a welcome relief as certification will now be free, offering a significant opportunity for growers.

Dr KG Jagadeesha, secretary and CEO of the Coffee Board of India, told TNIE that the process is currently in its first stage and aims to position Indian coffee as a unique product with its own distinct identity. “Until now, most coffee varieties have been certified under international standards, which group all types of coffee together under the same conditions. However, Indian coffee is grown in special conditions.

This certification process will recognise and highlight these unique growing conditions, helping Indian coffee stand out and gain its own global recognition,” he said.

Dr Jagadeesha said the cost of certifying, as per international standards even for a small five-acre estate, can range from Rs 3-4 lakh, while board’s certification will be of zero-cost. Growers have to meet strict requirements, filling in various gaps to ensure that their plantations are sustainable.

While experts and a technical core team have finished developing documents, industry professionals are currently drafting the implementation modules, which will be completed in four months, Dr Jagadeesha said.

After this, the technical team will hold consultations with stakeholders and innovative growers to assess whether the procedures are feasible. The process will involve meeting several parameters. Once the estate meets the requirements, an external inspector will visit them for a final assessment.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Bengaluru / by Rishita Khanna / January 03rd, 2024

Karnataka welcomes new Sterling Brookstone Coorg 

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Thomas Cook (India) subsidiary, Sterling Holiday Resorts, has expanded its presence in Karnataka with the launch of Sterling Brookstone Coorg. Located near Madikeri in the Western Ghats, the new property provides villa and cottage-style accommodations, combining modern conveniences with natural beauty.

Sterling Brookstone, a resort in Coorg, offers an array of amenities such as a swimming pool, banquet facilities, and an on-site restaurant. The Planter’s Kitchen caters to all palates, serving both local Kodagu delicacies and international cuisine. The resort also offers easy access to local attractions including Abbey Falls, Madikeri Fort, and Dubare Elephant Camp, positioning it as a perfect destination for leisure travelers.

Sterling Holiday Resorts, which manages over 3,000 keys across 57 resorts, hotels, and retreats in 48 Indian destinations, recently acquired a new property that aligns with its vision of providing memorable experiences at key tourist spots. The company, owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings, operates under two brands – Sterling and Nature Trails, serving various segments including leisure travel, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), destination weddings, and group tourism. The acquisition of the new property is seen as a significant step in expanding Sterling’s footprint in India’s tourism sector.

Sterling Holiday Resorts has expanded its portfolio with the addition of a new resort in Coorg, demonstrating its commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences.

source: http://www.constructionweekonline.in / Construction Week / Home> Projects & Tenders / by Staff Writer / January 04th, 2024

High Court faults forest authorities for refusing to refund amount deposited by land owner while seeking permission to cut trees 

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It is the duty of the forest authorities to verify official records before allowing applications seeking permission to cut trees, the High Court of Karnataka has said, while finding fault with the authorities for refusing to refund the amount deposited by a land owner by mistake, though he was not required to deposit it while seeking permission to cut trees on his land.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order while allowing a petition filed by N. Mahabaleshwara Bhat, a resident of Biligeri village in Madikeri taluk of Kodagu district.

The petitioner, who died during the pendency of petition filed in 2016, deposited ₹4.33 lakh with the forest authorities to seek permission to cut several trees on his Sagu Bane land.

However, he realised later that his was alienated Sagu Bane land for which there was no need to deposit money, and hence he requested the authorities to refund the deposited amount. But the forest authorities rejected his request, stating that he himself had described his land as Sagu Bane land in his application.

Negating the contention of the authorities, the court said that it was for the Assistant Conservator of Forest and the Chief Conservator of Forest to verify nature of the land from the records and not to go by the statement made in the application.

If at all the details of the land had been verified by the forest authorities, it would have been clear that the land in question was alienated Sagu Bane land as this aspect was made clear by the Deputy Commissioner in his order passed in 2010, the court said, while stating that there was a duty imposed on the authority to very the records before granting such permissions.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 03rd, 2024

Rathi Vinay Jha chosen as Coorg Person of the year 2024

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Retired IAS officer, Rathi Vinay Jha, has been selected as Coorg Person of the Year 2024 in a poll conducted by a news and tourism portal, www.coorgtourisminfo.com.

With her roots in Kodagu district in Karnataka, Ms. Rathi Vinay Jha, a former Union Tourism Secretary, had initiated several projects to “conserve Kodava culture and the martial traditions of the comunity, known for its contributions to the nation in the areas of defence and sports,” author P.T. Bopanna, who runs the portal pointed out.

He said Ms. Rathi was instrumental in setting up the virtual museum of Kodava heritage and culture, the project known as Sandooka — a treasure trove of information.

“The virtual museum is an interactive online space, brought together through material contributed by the Kodava community. Sandooka will be a living museum of Kodava culture and will be useful for future generations of Kodavas.”

“It was at the instance of Ms. Rathi, a model of Kodava ainmane (ancestral house) was inaugurated this October in Dakshinachitra Museum near Chennai,” Mr. Bopanna said.

Dakshinachitra is home to 18 traditional houses that depict the unique culture of South India. The ainmane project involved dismantling a structure built in 1852 in Kodagu and was transported to Dakshinachitra Museum, said Mr. Bopanna.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 01st, 2025

16th Isha Gramotsava: Kodagu women’s team champion in throwball, Chikkamagaluru men’s win volleyball

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Coimbatore: 

Kanthur Friends team from Murnad (Maragodu) in Kodagu from Karnataka emerged victorious in the women’s throwball championship by defeating P G Pudur team from Coimbatore in straight sets.

Meanwhile, Alif Star team from Chikkamagaluru (seen in picture below) defeated Palli Friends team from Udupi in the men’s volleyball match in a thrilling contest.

The grand finale was held in the presence of the 112-foot-tall Adiyogi at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. The winning teams won a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, bringing the event to a grand close.

Along with Sadhguru, cricket legends Virender Sehwag and Venkatesh Prasad graced the historic occasion. Thousands of spectators from India and abroad came to watch the event.

Isha Gramotsava is a two-month sports festival held across the South Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Held in over 162 rural areas, the festival saw the participation of over 43,000 players.

More than 10,000 of them were rural women, most of whom were housewives – volleyball and throwball Participated in matches.

Started by Sadhguru in 2004, Isha Gramotsava aims to bring sports and the spirit of play into the lives of rural communities.

Apart from professional players, the festival provides a platform for ordinary rural people, including daily wage workers, fishermen and housewives, to step away from their daily activities and experience the celebration and unifying power of sports.

source: http://www.mysoorunews.com / Mysooru News / Home> General / by Mysooru News Desk / January 01st, 2025