Tag Archives: N U Nachappa

Codava National Council Demands Recognition for Women

Leaders, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), , , , , , , , ,

Madikeri:

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, observed worldwide on March 8, the Codava National Council (CNC), under the leadership of its President, N U Nachappa, submitted an appeal advocating for the empowerment of Kodava women. The appeal was presented in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, urging the authorities to take necessary actions.

At 10:30 AM on Saturday, the Kodava National Council submitted a memorandum through the district administration to the United Nations Secretary-General, the Director of the United Nations Global Women’s Empowerment Agency, the UNESCO Director-General, the President and Prime Minister of India, and the Union Home Minister.

Under the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment”, the CNC emphasised the necessity of ensuring true recognition and honour for Kodava women. An official communique from the CNC stated, “Kodava women have selflessly contributed to the Kodava clan’s structure, valour, humanistic approach, and strong familial bonds. The Government of India, the Government of Karnataka, and the people of this nation must recognise and adopt the values ingrained in Kodava women. If these values are embraced and implemented nationwide, there will be no oppression against women, and atrocities and subjugation can be eliminated. Kodava women are symbols of independence, intelligence, and generosity. However, due to their political subordination, they have been sidelined from India’s political establishment.”

The press release further stated, “After India gained political independence with its new Constitution, Kodava women lacked knowledge of their political and constitutional rights. Other communities should adopt the exemplary values of Kodava women, just as Kodava women should adopt political awareness from other communities. The government must now implement an effective strategy to empower both Kodava women and women across the country. Due to a lack of awareness regarding international conventions, fundamental rights, and human rights development, Kodava women have been unable to empower themselves through state welfare programs or effectively present their plight to relevant authorities. Hence, the United Nations and the Government of India must immediately grant them political and constitutional rights and power.”

This appeal underscores the urgency of government action in recognising and empowering Kodava women, ensuring their rightful place in India’s political, economic, and social landscape said Nachappa.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by The Hans News Service / March 08th, 2025

Codavas relentless in saving their heritage

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, , , , , , , , , ,

Buttanagal (Kodagu district):

The Kodava National Council (CNC) organised a human chain demonstration at Buttanagal Junction today, highlighting the rampant misuse of the Karnataka Land Reforms Amendment Act and its devastating consequences on Kodava culture and the region’s ecology. CNC President N. U. Nachappa voiced strong opposition, condemning land grabs facilitated by loopholes in the 2020-21 amendments, impacting the Kodava heartland, including Perumbadi, Balugodu, Nangala, and Buttanagal.

A major concern raised was the ongoing encroachment by external investors, corporate entities, and resort mafias, who are allegedly exploiting fertile agricultural lands and jeopardising the tributaries of the sacred River Cauvery.

Siddaur’s historic BBTC coffee estates, spanning 2,400 acres, are now under threat of urban conversion by powerful external interests. According to CNC, these exploitative developments are destroying green landscapes, contaminating water resources, and undermining Kodava heritage, including sacred spaces like “Mand” and village deities.

Nachappa highlighted a significant case in Nangala, where a businessman from Andhra Pradesh has reportedly acquired 50 acres and plans to construct a massive resort, scaring local residents and threatening essential water catchments. The CNC President also alleged that a prominent Parliament member from South India is using unaccounted wealth to fund real estate acquisitions in Kodava Land, aiming to establish economic corridors and mega-cities at the expense of local communities. Substantial donations are being made to prestigious Kodava clubs to suppress opposition.

The CNC argues that external economic forces are transforming Kodava Land into a playground for urban expansion, negatively affecting agriculture, forest resources, and water systems. The council warns of severe demographic shifts if unchecked migration occurs, with outsiders obtaining local IDs through fraudulent means and becoming beneficiaries of government schemes, thereby destabilising the area’s social fabric.

The CNC further accused resort developers of manipulating regulations to degrade the environment, drawing a direct link to large-scale deforestation and ecological harm. Comparisons were made to Wayanad, Kerala, where similar activities have led to catastrophic landslides and flooding. Nachappa reiterated that only Scheduled Tribe status and self-determination rights for Kodavas can curb the destruction and protect their land.

Echoing the sentiment, CNC members protested against luxury estates and villa projects that are obliterating traditional Kodava home-stay practices and disrespecting the local way of life. The council pointed out the selective application of environmental laws, which are lenient on powerful resort owners but stringent on Kodava farmers. Highlighting corrupt practices, CNC claimed that resort mafias, aided by local and state political support, are destabilising the region.

The protest ended with an urgent call for unity among Kodavas to resist these land reforms and preserve the natural and cultural wealth of Kodava Land.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by M Raghuram / Hans News Service / November 06th, 2024

Battle Brews Over Coorg’s Coffee Estates: From Serenity to Sprawling Villas-locals fear environmental disaster

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HIGHLIGHTS

Plans to turn 2400 acres of BBTC Coffee Gardens into large villas and townships have sparked strong opposition and deep concern among locals and environmentalists alike, creating a tempest of controversy around the serene hills of Coorg.

Madikeri:

Plans to turn 2400 acres of BBTC Coffee Gardens into large villas and townships have sparked strong opposition and deep concern among locals and environmentalists alike, creating a tempest of controversy around the serene hills of Coorg.

The proposal, orchestrated by a resort tycoon, has ignited a fierce debate, with critics decrying the potential environmental devastation and cultural erosion that could accompany the transformation of these verdant landscapes. The Codava National Council spearheaded by NU Nachappa has opposed it on two major counts.

“The roots of this dispute delve deep into Coorg’s past, tracing back to the acquisition of the land by the Bombay Burma Trading Corporation (BBTC) during the colonial era. Once communal property of the indigenous Codava tribe, the estate passed through various hands before landing in the possession of a resort magnate, sparking memories of Coorg’s colonial subjugation and indigenous displacement” Nachappa told.

Economic Gain vs. Environmental Loss

At the heart of the controversy lies the stark dichotomy between economic gain and environmental preservation. The sale of the estate, purchased at a fraction of its current market value, has raised eyebrows and suspicions, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the transaction’s legality and ethical implications.

“The conversion of lush coffee estates into sprawling villas and townships not only threatens to disrupt the delicate ecological balance of the region but also poses a grave threat to vital water sources and biodiversity hotspots. The ramifications extend beyond environmental concerns, touching on the preservation of indigenous culture and heritage, which risks being overshadowed by the specter of unchecked development” Nachappa told in a complaint lodged with the President of India, Prime Minsiter and Chief Secretary of the union government for forests and environment.

A Call to Arms

Following the CNC taking up the issue on a global scale, voices from all over the places where Codava people have migrated and relocated “decisive action to halt the encroachment on Coorg’s natural splendour and cultural heritage. Calls for stringent legal measures echo through the hills, demanding accountability from all parties involved, from buyers and sellers to local authorities and regulatory bodies. “The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as Coorg stands at a crossroads, torn between preserving its pristine landscapes and succumbing to the allure of unchecked development. The fate of this idyllic paradise hangs in the balance, with stakeholders grappling with the weighty consequences of their decisions” Nachappa relayed some sentiments of his countrymen.

In the face of mounting opposition, the battle for Coorg’s soul rages on, with the outcome poised to shape the region’s destiny for generations to come. As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: the future of Coorg hinges on the choices made today.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka> Bengaluru / by Hans News Service / May 01st, 2024