The ambitious project to construct a hanging bridge over the River Cauvery at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu is poised to further transform this popular tourist destination.
Dubare draws thousands of tourists each month and the addition of a hanging bridge connecting both riverbanks promises to be a significant attraction. Currently, one side of the river is managed by the Tourism Department, while the Forest Department oversees the opposite side, home to the renowned elephant camp.
Presently, tourists can only traverse the river via motorised boats. Due to the high demand for boat rides, many visitors risk crossing on slippery rocks — when the water level is low, leading to accidents and prompting criticism of the Forest Department.
The original hanging bridge plan envisioned a 110-metre structure supported by three columns — two at the ends and one in the centre — with an estimated cost of Rs. 3 crore.
Two poles instead of three
However, the new proposal extends the bridge length to 210 metres, supported by only two poles, eliminating the central column thanks to enhanced suspension wire technology. The revised design will be higher at the centre than at the ends for added stability.
This updated project is estimated to cost Rs. 6 crore. The bridge will have a walking width of 1.5 metres and will be constructed above last year’s flash flood level to ensure safety.
Hanging bridge expert Patanjali Bharadwaj has finalised the design, materials and total project cost, including labour. Unlike the previous proposal where land ownership was shared between the Tourism and Forest Departments, the new project will be built entirely on Forest Department land, streamlining the approval process.
Budget estimate of Rs. 6 crore
The design and location survey have been completed and submitted to the Public Works Department (PWD). A budget estimate of Rs. 6 crore has been forwarded to the Finance Department for final approval. Patanjali Bharadwaj has designed the bridge and calculated the material cost as per the PWD budget list and provided the cost estimate.
The State Government and the PWD have granted in-principle approval and the project has been included in the Forest Department’s Action Plan, receiving sanction from the Forest Minister.
Funding will come from the Kodagu Foundation, which pools entry fees collected at various parks, trekking spots and forest guest houses, supplemented by government funds.
The PWD will supervise the construction, with the tender process set to begin following financial clearance. If funding is timely, the bridge could be completed within six months, with an expected finish date in 2025.
Boating to be discontinued
Bhaskar, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Madikeri Circle, explained the project’s earlier challenges. “Previously, land issues stalled progress due to the split ownership between the Tourism and Forest Departments, complicating clearances under the Wildlife Act. This time, we selected land solely managed by the Forest Department, eliminating these administrative obstacles. We are committed to seeing the project through. Once operational, boating services will be discontinued, though river rafting will continue,” he said.
For context, Patanjali Bharadwaj is the son of Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj, known as the ‘Bridge Man’ for constructing over 100 suspension footbridges across India. Girish Bharadwaj founded ‘Rational Engineering Industries’ in 1975 in Sullia, Dakshina Kannada, now known as Ayasshilpa. Patanjali is continuing his father’s legacy with this new project.
Revenue boost
The Dubare Elephant Camp operates daily from 9 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 5.30 pm. Forest officials report that the site welcomes an average of 500 to 700 tourists daily and has four boats for river crossings.
“During festivals and weekends, when over 2,000 tourists visit daily, managing the crowds becomes difficult. Weight restrictions limit boat capacity, forcing many visitors to leave without experiencing the elephant camp. The hanging bridge will resolve these issues and is expected to boost revenue,” officials added.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 24th, 2024
KSRTC buses with the registration of Madikeri RTO were added to the existing fleet of buses operated by the Madikeri depot on Thursday.
Five ‘Ashwamedha’ buses were the new buses with KA-12 vehicle registration that were flagged off in Madikeri by MLA Mantar Gowda.
The five buses will operate as Dasara special in view of the Navarathri celebrations. After Dasara, the buses will be operated in Kodagu district, said the MLA, after flagging off the buses at a function held in Madikeri.
The MLA said he had urged Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy for allocating buses with KA-12 registration (Madikeri RTO), during his recent visit to Shanivarasanthe in Kodagu district. Responding to the request, the Minister sanctioned the buses with the Madikeri registration, he said, while expressing happiness over the sanction of buses with Madikeri registration.
More KSRTC buses will ply in Kodagu in the coming days. Women can travel in the newly allotted buses as part of the Shakti scheme, he added.
The five buses have also got fancy registration numbers KA-12 F-01, F-02, F-03, F-04, F-05, the MLA said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / October 10th, 2024
Arjuna Awardee Gaurav Gill and co-driver Aniruddha Rangnekar overcame initial hiccups and performed admirably to take the lead after Day 1 in the Robusta Rally, the fifth and penultimate round of the fmsci Indian National Rally Championship 2024 here, on Saturday.
Gill, the Speed Maestro from Delhi, was forced to start on a cautious note as their intercom failed resulting in no calls and he had to drive from memory. After losing 17.4 seconds to Karna Kadur, who was fastest in Stage 1, Gill bounced back brilliantly to clock the fastest times in the remaining five Stages and took a handsome lead of over 53 seconds by the end of the day.
“It has been a perfect day. The stages were rougher than I expected with massive stones and boulders but we managed to overcome all odds as our tyres performed well. We had decent speeds and the goal is to bring back the car home tomorrow,” said Gill, the seven-time National champion.
Championship leaders Karna Kadur and co-driver Musa Sherif of Arka Motorsports were second overall followed by Hassan’s Jason Saldhanha and local co-driver Timmu Uddapanda.
Jason Saldhanha overtook former National champion Aditya Thakur (Chettinad Sporting) in the final stage of the day and was also leading in INRC2 class with Thakur in second place ahead of Jahaan Singh Gill of Snap Racing. Chettinad Sporting’s Daraius Shroff from Mumbai, the championship leader in the INRC3 category took a 20-second lead over Abhin Rai.
Fabid Ahmer, Harkrishan Wadia, Philippos Matthai, and Chetan Shivram were some of the top casualties on Day 1. On Sunday, the rally will run another six Special Stages at Woshully and Margoli estates.
Provisional Results after Day 1 (Leg 1 – Saturday):
Filter Coffee’s second place on an international ranking scale spills attention to emerging territories, where specialty coffee is brewing
New-age cafes like Bombay Island Coffee are now working with a deeper understanding of roasting to bring out the natural sugars in coffee beans, which can add layers of flavour. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
The humble filter coffee or kaapi was recently adjudged the second best brew by TasteAtlas, an online travel guide.
Positioned between Greece’s Espresso Freddo and Cuba’s Café Cubano, this beloved South Indian coffee is brewed through a two-chambered filter: the upper chamber holds finely ground coffee; the lower chamber catches the steadily dripping, rich brew. No electricity needed, just the natural pull of gravity. The result is a robust, full-bodied coffee, often combined with milk and sugar, served traditionally in a tumbler and saucer (davara). To achieve its signature froth, the mixture of coffee and milk is poured back and forth between vessels, aerating it.
While chicory, a root, was initially added to stretch coffee supplies, it became an essential part of the flavour profile, lending a woody caramel note that set filter coffee apart from intense, espresso-style brews. Freshly roasted coffee beans unlock a symphony of flavours through the Maillard reaction, releasing over 800 flavour molecules—from nutty pyrazines to fruity aldehydes and rich, caramel-like ketones. Unlike modern brewing techniques such as pour-overs, the filter method preserves these complex flavours and oils to present an unmatched depth of taste.
Nandan Coffee’s new flagship outlet isn’t just a café but an experience centre that celebrates three generations of the brand’s coffee-brewing heritage, sustainable farming, and artisanal craftsmanship, sourced from their estate in Kodaikanal.
Traditional filter coffee reigns are deeply embedded in southern states such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Instant coffee is prized for convenience and the fast-paced urban lifestyle in the northern states. According to the Coffee Consumption Trends in India report, India’s coffee consumption reached 91,000 tonnes of green bean equivalent (GBE) in 2023, up from 84,000 tonnes in 2012. This was driven by increased home use, rising instant coffee popularity, and a boom in café culture. Analysts predict a boom in demand will double by 2027, spurred by evolving consumer tastes and lifestyle shifts.
Cafe menus have gone beyond cappuccionos and lattes, with options like peach coffee spritzers (right) Turkish coffee brewed on hot sand, at Bombay Island Coffee
The nation’s coffee history runs deep—the beverage arrived long before tea. Tea gained widespread popularity when the colonising British sought to reduce their reliance on tea imports from China. Them trading opium for the leaf was pivotal in tea’s dominance over the Indian market.
Binny Varghese, fondly called Barista on a Bike and founder of Barista Training Academy in New Delhi, highlights an intriguing paradox: “India produces some of the best teas in the world, yet most of the premium varieties are exported.” This stems from the development of the industry under colonial rule, which prioritised mass production over quality. Tea dust—small, broken bits of tea leaves mixed with milk and sugar—becoming the ubiquitous chai served at railway stations. High-quality teas, such as those from Assam, were exported.
Yahvi Mariwala with her parents, Farida and Shyam. Pic/Anurag Ahire
A similar trajectory can be traced for coffee. By the early 20th century, large-scale coffee bean cultivation, flourished in Coorg and Chikkamagaluru, driven by the Brahmin community, which championed filter coffee as a cultural staple.
Until 1992, coffee was a centralised commodity with limited access. Plantation workers often collected leftover coffee beans—discarded seeds and skins—and roasted them at home, using ghee to enhance the flavour. Cardamom and cloves created a unique regional twist in regions like Kerala and Karnataka. This grassroots approach gradually laid the groundwork for India’s burgeoning coffee culture.
Coffee farmers in Nagaland, many new to coffee cultivation, are learning experimental techniques such as anaerobic and carbonic maceration
The rise of chains such as Barista and Starbucks, and homegrown specialty brands such as Blue Tokai, Nandan Coffee, and Bombay Island among others have popularised espresso-based drinks in urban centres, attracting younger, affluent audiences. From coffee tours to sampling sessions to making your own brew while offering product innovation, brands are crafting experiences to make coffee a cool drink.
Rupal Jain, Founder, Bombay Island Coffee says, “India’s coffee culture is on the cusp of transformation, following the path of other nations where economic growth has shifted preferences from tea to coffee. As disposable incomes rise, coffee is becoming a lifestyle choice, influenced by the appeal of café culture.
Unlike tea, which remains a domestic tradition, coffee is associated with socialising, relaxation, and modernity. Coffee is an aspirational symbol in urban spaces, reflecting a broader societal shift towards premium, experience-driven consumption. Tea remains a quiet, home-based ritual.”
Pranathi Shetty’s Kollibyle Estate in the Western Ghats is entirely run by women
This trend is expected to intensify as India moves closer to becoming a developed economy. South Korea, Singapore, and China, once known for their tea-drinking cultures, have all undergone similar transitions, with coffee emerging as the drink of everyday life and a symbol of affluence. “In South Korea,” Jain notes, “Starbucks has the second-highest footfall of any location globally.”
Coffee entrepreneurs have noticed an untapped potential in the Indian market—where the typical coffee is over-roasted or lacks the subtle sweetness of specialty ones. Jain admits, “Inspired by trends set by Blue Tokai and KC Roasters, we’ve developed a deeper understanding of roasting to bring out the natural sugars in coffee beans, which can add layers of flavour and reduce the need for added sweetness.”
Coffee grower at Kigwema village, Kohima, Nagaland
Her entrepreneurial journey, alongside husband Vineeth, is rooted in a desire to reshape the Indian coffee landscape. With a background in finance, in 2016, the founders delved into learning everything about coffee, from farming to brewing, with local and international training. Their insights led to the realisation that India has the potential to produce exceptional coffee, but the local market was missing quality beans. This gap led to investing in a roastery, right inside their cafe in Vikhroli.
On soil, more farmers are becoming conscious of how beans are grown and processed. New techniques such as fermentation and whiskey barrel ageing are enlisted developing unique flavour profiles that were previously exported. Coffee-growing regions are beginning to offer more specialised beans for a refined, global palate. Bean prices are at an all-time high, with Robusta, in particular, reaching a record high of Rs 4 lakh metric tonne on the London-based ICE Futures Europe market.
Pranithi Shetty, Rupal Jain and Lichan Humtsoe
However, climate change and unpredictable weather impact production, especially for the Arabica variant of coffee, which has seen significantly lower yields this season. In contrast, Robusta has fared better due to improved irrigation practices, says Pranathi Shetty, who left her corporate job in Mumbai to run her family’s Kollibyle Estate, a women-run coffee venture in Mudigere, Karnataka. For over 70 years, the estate has focused on sustainability. While coffee cultivation remains largely manual, recent innovations in post-harvest processes, like colour sorting and new machinery, are being introduced. The terrain of regions like Chikkamagaluru limits automation, but estate management tools such as operational apps streamline day-to-day tasks.
Shetty says, “Climate change is driving experimentation in previously unsuitable areas for coffee cultivation, such as the Northeast of India. While this presents new opportunities, it doesn’t threaten traditional regions such as Chikkamagaluru, where local consumption steadily increases.”
Rajasthan has an emerging coffee culture boosted by foreign tourists. “Jaipur was one of the first cities to house a roaster inside a café back in 2014 or 2015 when Neeraj Sheoran, founder of Curious Life Coffee Roasters, pioneered this,” says Varghese. “They have two large stores today, and initially attracted many foreigners who stayed in Rajasthan for longer periods. Now, new modern cafés open every month.”
Some cafes also offer international coffees, which bear high import taxes. “There’s a hefty 105 to 110 per cent tax on imported green coffee,” says Verghese. “There’s an extensive coffee scene across the capital and the NCR region. Competition is fierce, and the price coffee rises as new players enter the market. Punjab, too, has a vibrant coffee scene, especially Chandigarh and Amritsar. Punjab has two noteworthy roasters—Double Shot coffee roasters and Bloom Coffee roasters —that have revolutionised the regions coffee culture.
Varghese explains that Punjab likes its cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites served at much higher temperatures. But in Amritsar, Double shot café has trained patrons to appreciate the right temperature for these drinks, which has had an enormous impact. “It’s quite a sight,” he says, “this café is a three-story building, and they were one of the few places in India where coffee sales outpaced food sales. Typically, good coffee shops also offer an extensive food menu, which can be both costly and a logistical challenge. However, this café thrives by focusing purely on coffee, a rarity in India, where we often expect coffee to be accompanied by pastries or meals.”
In Jalandhar, new generation cafés like Buland, Zoka, and Wht Blk are a part of a broader wave of establishments—cultivating a passionate coffee community in Punjab. In Surat, coffee is an alternative to alcohol in a dry state. Amit Patel’s KOKORO hosts home-brewing workshops and nurtures a local network of enthusiasts. His new venture, KOKORO School, launched with the Coffee Board of India, teaches brewing and soft skills.
Gone are the days when the Indian customer was happy with just instant coffee or cappuccino. The modern drinker now prefers specialty coffee that’s been roasted to perfect the flavour profile and painstakingly brewed in a myriad of methods by baristas
Closer to home, in Mumbai, where third generation coffeepreuneur Yahvi Mariwala opened the famed Nandan Coffee at Kala Ghoda in October was clear of what she wanted to offer. “Coffee language can be intimidating—so we wanted to keep it jargon-free and very straightforward so that more people can appreciate the coffee experience at a seat by the window or at the Create Your Own Coffee station, where you can learn the art of coffee blending and brewing from their in-house barista.”
Lichan Humtsoe, Founder and CEO of Été Coffee, the first specialty coffee roasting company and first Coffee School in the northeastern states that was established in 2016 in Kohima, tells us, “On one hand, there’s the growing wave of cafés and roasteries in Nagaland, which we’re actively supporting by offering equipment and machinery. We’ve sold 19 Espresso machines in just a few months, ushering over 10 new cafés in Kohima and Dimapur (Nagaland) alone. The trend rapidly spreads to Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal, Aizawl, and Manipur. Although still in the early stages, we are involved in several exciting projects in Assam too.”
A training session in progress at Été Coffee School in Nagaland
Harking to the beginning of brewing in the region, Humtsoe shares, “The first coffee plantations came in the early 1980s in Nagaland. However, coffee culture didn’t really take root; many farmers abandoned their farms, and it wasn’t until the 2010s that things began to change. In 2016, we became the first specialty coffee roaster in the Northeast. Since then, there’s been significant momentum, driven by initiatives (massive plantation and revival of old abandoned farms in 2015-2016) from the government, the Department of Land Resources, and the Coffee Board. The establishment of other coffee roasters, such as Nagaland Coffee in 2018, further fuelled this growth.” (Nagaland Coffee was actively exporting green coffee overseas by 2016. D’Cafe in Kohima is acclaimed to be the first full-fledged modern-day cafe established in 2016).
Technology and techniques are still in their early days on farms. Most coffee plantations have only been established in the past five to eight years. “We’re currently working with the first, second, and third-generation crops,” Humtsoe says. “While experimental techniques such as anaerobic and carbonic maceration are being explored, it’s still a learning process. The farmers, many new to coffee cultivation, are adopting new practices, and while it can be overwhelming, there’s a strong sense of excitement and potential.”
Binny Varghese
Technology and techniques are still in their early days on farms. Most coffee plantations have only been established in the past five to seven years. “We’re currently working with the first, second, and third-generation crops,” Humtsoe says. “While experimental techniques such as anaerobic and carbonic maceration are being explored, it’s still a learning process. The farmers, many new to coffee cultivation, are adopting new practices, and while it can be overwhelming, there’s a strong sense of excitement and potential.”
The transformation of coffee in India—from political and industrial roots to a more humane, culture-driven movement—continues to unfold. A fourth wave with specialty shops, roasters, and artisanal cafés is washing over major cities, fostering awareness about fair-trade practices, small-batch sourcing, and unique brewing techniques. However, full adoption will depend on several factors.
“We are riding all the waves simultaneously,” says Varghese, “Traditional preferences for filter coffee and instant coffee mean tastes vary widely, and specialty coffee remains a premium product. Additionally, awareness about the environmental and ethical dimensions of coffee sourcing, touchstone of the fourth wave, is still developing.”
The growing presence of local specialty brands, greater consumer awareness, and rising younger demographic suggest India has the potential to become a robust market in the near future. However, for now, Roaster and Coffee educator like Humtsoe’s vision is to create a domestic market that supports locally grown, specialty coffee. “There’s no reason we should go to Europe for an exceptional cup of coffee which is actually grown here in our backyard,” he says, adding, “This is an exciting time, especially with south India moving toward specialty coffee, and the same trend begins to take root in the Northeast. India is finally a big part of the global coffee wealth-building narrative.”
Ghar-chi coffee
Maharashtra has been cultivating coffee for over a century, with plantations such as Chikhaldara’s 100-acre estate in Amravati district dating back to the late 1800s. Its Arabica coffee—once nurtured by British officers and later expanded by the Roman Catholic Mission—remains largely absent from specialty coffee shops.
Despite the increasing demand for premium, specialty coffee, most of Maharashtra’s harvest is sold in its raw forms, such as filter coffee or green beans. Though coffee cultivation in Maharashtra is relatively new compared to the well-established plantations of south India, the state has seen some innovative strides. Ashwin Paranjpe has been experimenting at his Gorus Forest Farm in Mulshi, using seeds from his great-grandfather’s original plants. Along with landscape designer Swati Aringale, Paranjpe has demonstrated that coffee can thrive in Maharashtra with proper forest management and irrigation despite the state’s challenging climate.
However, the industry faces a fundamental challenge: a need for formal education in coffee processing. While south Indian farmers have long been trained in fermentation and processing, many in Maharashtra lack these essential skills. As a result, much of the bean doesn’t reach its potential as specialty coffee.
Yet, there is hope. State-grown coffee has scored high on the Q -grading scale (universal system for evaluating coffees). Farmers such as Paranjpe are committed to improving yeild quality, and experts hold, with the right support, it could take five to 10 years for Maharashtra to become a recognised player in the specialty coffee world.
This evolution takes on even more profound significance when considering the historical roots of the industry in Pune. In 1864, an article in the Jnanaprakash newspaper detailed the rise and fall of coffee plantations in Mundhwa and Hadapsar, part of Pune’s Haveli taluka. The coffee, praised by Europeans in the Cantonment area, was ultimately ruined due to a dispute between the plantation owners.
The report piqued my curiosity, leading to further research that uncovered the contributions of Anglo-Indians William Sundt and William Webbe. They were instrumental in the early success of coffee cultivation in Pune, transforming their gardens into plantations. This not only shaped Pune’s horticultural history but also planted the seeds for the coffee industry in the region.
Why so special?
Coffee quality is evaluated using a 100-point scale developed by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), with scores falling into several categories: Specialty Coffee: 80 pts or higher; Outstanding: 90 to 100 pts; Excellent: 85 to 89.99 pts; Very Good: 80 to 84.99 pts, and Commercial-Grade: 60 to 80 pts.
Quality graders are experts in coffee evaluation, and follow strict protocols for factors such as water temperature, coffee dosage, grind size, and brewing time, assigning scores to the beans across 10 categories including aroma, taste, aftertaste, acidity, body, and sweetness. Only about 6 per cent of the world’s coffee meets the standards required to be classified as specialty coffee.
India drank
2012 : 84,000 tonnes
2023: 91,000 tonnes
source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day / Home> mid-day / by Nasrin Modak Siddiqui / November 17th, 2024
Coffee Board of India has embarked on a 10-year road map with a target to double the country’s coffee production and coffee exports by 2034, said board chairman M.J. Dinesh on Tuesday (November 19).
“It’s a 10-year mandate starting from 2024 to double our production and also double our exports by 2034. We will also increase the area under production during this period. However, the focus will be on creating best yielding varieties and increasing the production from existing plants through best practices and technology upgradation,” he said.
Addressing coffee growers at the Karnataka Planters’ Association annual conference held here on Tuesday, Mr Dinesh said these activities would include forming 100 FPOs (farmer producer organisations) across the country, of which 60 will be in Karnataka. These FPOs, expected to come up within a year, would create additional momentum for the commodity within the country and in global markets, he anticipated.
What is the offing
He further said that under the 10-year growth plan, the board would also identify 10,000 small coffee farmers who would grow speciality coffee varieties mostly targeted at export markets. “We expect these small farmers to come up with a wide range of speciality varieties that can fetch a premium in the global markets,” he added.
Under the 10-year market expansion plan, the board would also facilitate 10,000 coffee kiosks, mostly managed by women entrepreneurs, to increase the country’s per capita coffee consumption from 107 grams currently to 250 grams in 10 years, he further said.
He also said the board has an ambitious target of nearly trebling the coffee production from 3.7 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 to 9 lakh tonnes by 2047.
Commenting on the possibilities of mechanisation, Mr Dinesh said currently, the growers’ community has been pending a whopping ₹ 1200 crore to ₹ 1300 crore to get the coffee harvested annually through manual labour. This expenditure could be significantly reduced through the use of harvesting machines, and IIT Kharagpur, in collaboration with the Coffee Board, has been working on the prototypes of some such machines.
“Overall, the 10-year plan will certainly give Indian coffees a sizable standing in the global markets. In addition, it will also redefine the coffee landscape of the country,“ he hoped.
KPA chairman K G Rajeev said the grower’s body has made a presentation to the Ministry of Commerce and Industries seeking the inclusion of coffee under PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Presently, coffee farmers are not covered under insurance, while all other plantation crops are covered under insurance. The KPA has also sought assistance from the Govt to promote brand identity for coffee and tea emphasising their quality and unique characteristics. It has also sought exemption or reduction of customs duty on import of agriculture equipment.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Mini Tejaswi / November 20th, 2024
Colonel Cheppudira Muthanna discusses efforts to create a pan-Asian network of organisations to protect the nature and climate of the Himalayas.
Colonel Muthanna is a former President of IUCN Member, Coorg Wildlife Society (cws.in) and founder of the Environment and Health Foundation India
I was in the Indian Army for 24 years and served in the Himalayas for 10 years. I became very concerned about how climate change was affecting the Himalayas, especially the rivers that so many people depend upon. I realised we must act before the change in the region reaches a tipping point.
The rivers that start in the Himalayas – the Ganges and the Mekong – support hundreds of millions of people across South Asia, Southeast Asia and China, representing one-fifth of the entire human population. In many places, where the slopes have been deforested, there are more avalanches because the trees helped hold the snow. Reduced snowfall due to climate change also means the rivers have less water in them. And the tree species are changing too. The outcome is that the water security of a fifth of the world’s population is at risk.
” THE RIVERS THAT START IN THE HIMALAYAS SUPPORT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE “
Cutting down drastically on the production of black carbon locally, combined with extensive forest restoration, could help stabilise the ecosystems here. Black carbon is the name given to the sooty particulate emissions released when millions of cooking stoves light up across these countries. It raises the temperature regionally, in addition to the global effect of CO2 emissions. If we can replace many stoves with more efficient ones, it will quickly reduce the amount of black carbon drifting above the Himalayas. We also need better technology for the brick kilns and road building, which are also major sources of black carbon in the region. Reforestation around urban areas could also help absorb more black carbon.
The Himalayas and the Mekong basin are contiguous and interdependent eco-regions. Therefore it is crucial to form a regional cooperation of our countries to mitigate climate change. This is the essence of the proposed HIMEK (Himalayas-Mekong) Alliance. There are a number of agencies in the region working on reduction of black carbon and forest restoration – but our effort must be to coordinate with them and upscale their initiatives to a regional level.
We have been supported by IUCN, which is very important because all of the relevant countries are Members of the Union. If we can initiate pilot projects in some of the countries, it can then be scaled up across the region. Everyone we have talked to approves of the idea – now we need monetary support.
by – Colonel Muthanna is a former President of IUCN Member, Coorg Wildlife Society (cws.in) and founder of the Environment and Health Foundation India
source: http://www.iucn.org / IUCN / Home> News & Events> Story / by Colonel Cheppudira Muthanna / December 13th, 2023
The department has taken this step following the sighting of over 40 wild elephants in the affected village of Badaga-Banangala.
The forest department has taken the responsibility of ferrying students in the department vehicles to their respective schools following increased wild elephant movement in a few villages in Kodagu, Karnataka.
As confirmed by the department sources, herds of over 40 wild elephants have been sighted camping close the village, stated a report by The New Indian Express.
Meanwhile, the villagers complained that the elephants are camping in estates instead of the forest region and demanded respite from the threat to lives due to increased elephant movement. While the department takes to the mission of chasing the elephants back to forest, the elephants return to the village and destroy plantations. The destruction of agricultural crops has become common to farmers who are suffering from several months.
Further, even the Panchayat workers are threathened by increased elephant movement and are said to be afraid to go to the office located in the conflict region. The estate labourers too are backing off from carrying out estate works due to the fear of elephants.
While the foresters have assured of a permanent solution, the children fear going to schools and colleges. And as a temporary measure, the department staff have made arrangements to ferry students in the forest vehicle to and from their respective schools and colleges.
The forest crew is also patrolling to ensure the safety of the residents, especially estate labourers.
Thithimathi RFO (Range Forest Officer) Gangadhar and others were involved in alerting labourers in elephant-sensitive zones. They are boosting the labourers to go to plantations by regularly combing these areas.
The foresters and Rapid Response Team (RRT) are jointly operating to curb the elephant movement acorss the plantations. They are ferrying students to bus stands and houses in the forest vehicle, stated The New Indian Express report.
Meanwhile, the mission of chasing the elephants back to forest will continue.
source: http://www.edexlive.com / Edex Live, TNIE / Home / by Edex Live Desk / November 18th, 2024
Shade-grown coffee at a Coffee estate in Kodagu district (Coorg), Karnataka. File | Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K.
India’s major plantation sectors such as rubber and coffee have heaved a sigh of relief as the EU Parliament has voted in favour of a proposal by the European Commission to delay the implementation of EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) allowing growers, exporters and traders additional time for compliance.
Accordingly, large coffee operators and exporters must meet EUDR regulations by December 30, 2025, while micro and small growers and traders have time until June 30, 2026 to comply, as against the earlier EU set mandatory due diligence procedures and compliance deadline of December 2024.
Being EUDR-compliant indicates a grower’s forest-based coffee produce is legal, and not sourced from any deforested land or unethically cultivated.
Notably, over 70% of Indian coffees are sold in EU countries, and therefore the compliance extension has direct implications on coffee players in India, although India was one among the few countries which grew coffee under two tier thick shade of native trees, say industry players. “Our coffee estates, in addition to coffee and shade trees has diverse flora and fauna. So Indian coffees are most sustainably grown.
In spite of that India opposed EUDR since the compliance does not incentivise sustainably grown coffees,” Coffee Board of India CEO and secretary K.G. Jagadeesha told The Hindu. “Now given that EUDR is a regulation already passed by EU, we have no option but to comply as 70% of Indian coffee exported is going to EU. Coffee Board is developing a platform for assisting coffee producers in India to comply with EUDR. We also welcome the EU decision to extend the deadline,” he added. However, the Coffee Board CEO said EUDR compliance burden on planters and growers would be huge as it required technological and financial resources which won’t be compensated.
Expressing similar concerns K.G. Rajeev, chairman, Karnataka Planters’ Association which represent over 70% of coffee growers in the country, said, ‘‘There are challenges in mobilisation of resources to invest by small and medium sized holdings to be EUDR compliant. Also there are elements of ambiguity. Strict enforcement without clarity on methodology to be implemented may not have desired results. All these may have adverse impact on productivity and profitability of the industry.”
According to Mr. Rajeev, EUDR is a regulation with requirements for due diligence and traceability, which needs lot of data to demonstrate compliance both on ground and documentation. He insisted that Indian coffee couldn’t be compared with coffees in any other geographies as it was predominantly grown under shade.
Coffee activities also encouraged preservation of existing forests which in turn provided habitat for variety of wildlife, avian populations and thus promoted natural biodiversity, he argued. Instead of putting the onus of compliance only on growers, industry institutions and government bodies should help in establishing compliance of regulations, he opined, adding, eco-friendly practices with improved soil health and carbon sequestration aligns with EUDR focus of protection of biodiversity and ecosystem.
Postponement of the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation is expected to buoy up the international market for rubber and related products in the short term, said Santosh Kumar, chairman of the Rubber Committee of the United Planters’ Association of Southern India.
“There were ambiguities and concerns in the market. Now that the EUDR will be implemented from 2026, the international market will have a positive impact in the short term,” he said. According to Rubber Board Executive Director M. Vasanthagesan, with the postponement of the regulation by an year, there is more time to prepare the rubber sector. The measures will continue, he added.
The board has entered into an agreement with Hyderabad-based TRST01 as its technology partner to issue due diligence certificates to rubber exporters. “We recently held a stakeholders meeting and will start registering the exporters. We plan to do it in phases, starting with select districts in Kerala. The small-scale exporters will pay an user-fee and register,” he said.
Industry sources said that of the annual production of about 8.5 lakh tonnes of natural rubber, only 4,000 tonnes are exported directly. However, exporters of rubber products will have to source from the growers who are compliant with the EUDR and so the impact will be on the growers.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Business> Industry / by Mini Tejaswi & M Soundariya Preetha / November 17th, 2024
After two years of waiting for a collapsed bridge to be rebuilt, Mavinahalla villagers in Kodagu constructed a makeshift footbridge from walnut trees due to government inaction. The temporary solution eases their commute but doesn’t address the ongoing issue during rainy seasons.
After two long years of waiting and petitioning for a collapsed bridge to be rebuilt, the residents of Mavinahalla village in Kodagu took matters into their own hands. Tired of government inaction, the villagers gathered walnut trees and constructed a footbridge themselves, a makeshift solution to the ongoing problem.
The bridge, which connected Mavinahalla village to the main road between Kushalanagar and Somwarpet, collapsed two years ago due to heavy rains.
Despite numerous requests to local authorities and elected representatives, including former MLA Appachhu Ranjan and newly elected MLA Mantar Gowda, the bridge remains unrepaired. This has caused significant hardship for the village’s residents, especially those who rely on the bridge for daily commutes.
To reach Mavinahalla village, residents must now take a detour from the Kushalanagar-Somwarpet highway to Yadavanadi, and from there, navigate the Harangi route—a journey that has added several kilometres to their daily travels. The collapsed bridge was the shortest route, with a direct path to Yadavanadi only one and a half kilometres away. Without it, villagers, including school and college students, are forced to walk an extra three kilometres each way.
For the past two years, the people of Mavinahalla have been left with no choice but to navigate the longer, more difficult route. Those with their vehicles have found it easier to manage, but the many poor families in the village, who do not have access to personal transportation, have struggled. Frustrated and unable to continue walking the extra distance daily, the villagers pooled their resources, purchased walnut trees, and built a footbridge themselves.
The makeshift bridge has provided some relief, but it is not a permanent solution. Ranjith, a resident, expressed his frustration: “We have been asking for the bridge to be rebuilt for two years. We met with Appachhu Ranjan and now with Mantar Gowda, but no one has taken any action. We had no choice but to build this bridge ourselves, but it’s only a temporary fix. When the rains come, the stream washes it away.”
Lalatha, another resident, echoed this sentiment: “We’ve told the authorities about our situation so many times, but no one listens. The footbridge is just a band-aid on a bigger problem.”
source: http://www.newsable.asianetnews.com / Newsable Asianet / Home> English News> Karnataka / by Vinaykumar Patil / August 30th, 2024
Dr. Padma Shekar, a native of Kodagu, a litterateur, education expert, researcher and retired Vice-Chancellor, is among 69 achievers chosen for this year’s Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.
Dr. Padma hails from Thorenur village, Kushalnagar taluk in Kodagu district. She has served as the Professor and Chairperson of Department of Studies in Jainology and Prakrit, University of Mysore, Director of Centre for Women’s Studies, University of Mysore and Chairperson of Department of Studies in Christianity, University of Mysore.
A recipient of several awards in the fields of research and literature, she is currently a resident of ‘Preeti Nilaya’, Vijayanagar Second Stage, Mysuru.
Elated by the decision of the State Government to consider her for the award, Dr. Padma Shekar said “I had been a recipient of several awards in the field of literature. Now, I have been awarded for the service rendered in the field of education, which is very close to my heart, that has brought immense joy and happiness for me.”
“I have worked in the field of education for 40 years and it was during my tenure in office that, Karnataka Sanskrit University and Department of Studies in Jainology and Prakrit, University of Mysore.
The Government has taken cognisance of all these achievements. I humbly recall all those who have nurtured my growth from a remote village to the level of a Professor.
I will especially thank former CM Dr. M. Veerappa Moily and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Government. I was born in Virajpet, Kodagu, where I spent my childhood. I was also the Chairperson of 11th District Kannada Sahitya Sammelan,” said Dr. Padma Shekar, recalling her achievements with pride.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 31st, 2024
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