Mukkatira Neerav Aiyappa, a Class 7 student of National Public School International (NPSI), Mysuru, who participated in the Annual Space Settlement Contest, has bagged the first place in Grade 7 Category for his proposal of a Space Hotel ‘DIADEM.’
He presented a design of the Space Hotel in the orbital space settlement LEO (Lower Earth Orbit) at the contest jointly organised by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Centre, San Jose State University and the National Space Society (NSS).
This international competition invited all students around the world up to 12th Grade to participate in its 2018 edition.
Neerav will receive a NASA certificate and has been invited to attend the NSS 37th Annual International Space Development Conference to be held at Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Los Angeles, California, USA, from May 24 to May 27, 2018 for a poster and oral presentation of his winning proposal. His project and ideas will be used by NASA for its future space programmes.
Speaking to Star of Mysore, Neerav, who has been working on the project since 11 months, said that among various forms of tourism like eco-tourism, nautical tourism, wellness tourism and medical tourism, a new concept has emerged in the form of space tourism, kindling interest to explore various destinations. Rather than seeing comets, planets, and constellations on a telescope, space tourism provides a privilege of experiencing first-hand the beauty of comets, asteroids, stars and planets, he added.
Space tourism will not only provide new vacation experience but create a new view to the earth, transforming the thoughts and perception among humans socially, culturally and emotionally, inspire new careers for the generation of engineers and will open newer fields for research in space medicine, nanotechnology, physical sciences and others, he said.
Through his project, Neerav has created a ‘Space Hotel’ providing space tourists a unique experience of a lifetime and enrich space and its potentials. “My project aims to create a ‘wow’ factor in the field of travel, provides job opportunities, ability to renew space exploration and research, explores possibility of hypersonic travel and have a newer perspective of earth,” he said.
A file photo of the then Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani felicitating Mysuru boy Neerav Aiyappa for winning Google India Code to Learn 2015 Contest.
In his project, Neerav has detailed out the concept of the space hotel, life support system, logistics of the space hotel, economy and time-line, space laws and code of ethics.
Neerav had won the Google India Code to Learn 2015 Contest where he created a game software project using “Scratch” programming called “Wings Over Waves.” The then Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani felicitated him under Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyaan.
He was a finalist at RYSI Award (Raman Award) held on Mar. 5, 2018 at Panchavati (Sir C.V. Raman’s residence) in Bengaluru where he demonstrated the principle fluid and thermodynamics in intermediate category with a working model.
Neerav is the son of Mukkatira Muthanna and Kavery, residents of Yadavagiri and grandson of Mukkatira Gappu – Janaki of Ponnampet and Guddanda Nanda – Kanthy of Virajpet.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 27th, 2018
The Management of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, celebrated the 116th birth anniversary of late General K.S. Thimayya at the Samaja premises in Vijayanagar this morning.
Picture : (L to R) Mechanda M. Shashi Ponnappa, Samaja President; Malachira M. Ponnappa, Samaja Vice-President; Kuttimada D. Muthappa, President of Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club and Machimada P. Nanaiah, Samaja Hon. Treasurer, offering floral tributes to the portrait of the late General. Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah, President of Shri Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha, Appanderanda Tara Somaiah, Samaja Joint Secretary, Mukkatira B. Jeevan, Samaja Hon. Secretary and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / March 31st, 2022
MB Tarun, a Class 11 student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Doddamara Gowdanahally, Mysuru and Padmapriya, a Class 9 student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Madikeri will represent the state in the Pariksha Pe Charcha on April 01.
He will participate in the event virtually. They are among the 40 students selected from across the country to attend the fifth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha.
At the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will answer the queries of the students, a release stated.
TNN
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by TNN / March 31st, 2022
Chepudira Ponnappa was one of the four dewans in the court of Chikka Veerarajendra, the last raja of Kodagu. During his later years, he was no longer the king’s favourite counsel. However, when the British marched into Madikeri, they chose to continue the services of Ponnappa and other officials, writes C P Belliappa.
Chepudira Ponnappa was one of the four dewans in the court of the last raja of Kodagu, Chikka Veerarajendra. The other three were Dewan Apparanda Bopanna, Dewan Laxminarayana and Dewan Basavanna.
Dewan Ponnappa was a colourful personality. As a teenager, he attracted the attention of Chikka Veerarajendra’s grandfather Lingaraja, when he accompanied the raja on a hunting expedition. They were camping by the side of a stream and the raja was ina relaxed mood. At a distance, a herd of buffaloes was grazing. A crow sat on the back of one of the buffaloes. Lingaraja asked if anyone could shoot the crow without hurting the buffalo. Young Ponnappa took the challenge and impressed the Raja with his marksmanship. He was immediately inducted into the army and rose rapidly in the ranks. He was appointed an army commander during the end of Dodda Veerarajendra’s reign. When Lingarajendra succeeded his brother, Ponnappa was elevated as a dewan.
Ponnappa married Cheyyavva from the Kodendera family. By 1800, they had three sons and four daughters. Ponnappa had additional responsibilities of collecting land revenue and in enforcing law and order. For this task, he had to be away from home for long periods of time.
Cheyyavva, a formidable lady, took on the responsibilities of looking after their vast paddy fields during her husband’s absence. Ponnappa had built a large house in Kirgoor, and at the time it was one of the best constructions. There is an interesting story about the carpenter who built the house. The same carpenter carried out substantial work at the raja’s palace. After settling his dues, the raja gave him a paltry bonus. The carpenter supposedly commented later, “What kind of a raja is this. His official: Ponnappa tipped me with double the number of gold coins.” The raja was furious when he heard this, but by then, the carpenter had safely returned to Kerala!
During one of Ponnappa’s extended tours, he camped in a remote village for a week. He was the guest of the village headman who belonged to the Manjera family. The headman’s beautiful young daughter Somavva was serving food to the important visitor; and Ponnappa was smitten by the attractive damsel. Ponnappa, then in his 30s, mustered all his courage to ask the headman for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Somavva’s father and Manjera family members were elated at this offer from the powerful and prosperous Ponnappa even though their daughter would be his second wife. The village elders insisted on the marriage taking place immediately, and Somavva gave her much feigned coy assent. Ponnappa extended his stay and the villagers enthusiastically started preparations for the wedding. There was excitement all round. Their new influential ‘son-in-law of the village’ was heartily felicitated.
A week later, it dawned on Ponnappa that he now had the delicate task of facing his first wife along with his new bride! As he approached his house in Kirgoor, an unsuspecting Cheyyavva came out to greet her husband who had been away for over a month. When Cheyyavva saw Ponnappa with a demure Somavva still in her bridal finery by his side, she flew into a rage. She brandished an odi katthi (sword) and stood menacingly near the entrance. Ponnappa had to retreat, and he soon undertook construction of another house, identical to the one built earlier, to start a family with Somavva. He had four sons and three daughters with Somavva.
Disillusioned dewan
By 1830, Ponnappa was disillusioned with the erratic and despotic rule of Chikka Veerarajendra. By then, he was 66 years old and distanced himself from playing an active part in the administration though he continued as a dewan. Chikka Veerarajendra listened more to the uncouth Dewan Basavanna who was his childhood companion and a kennel-keeper. Basavanna was intensely disliked by the citizens who referred to him as Kunta Basava since he had a limp.
The young raja had gone on a collision course with the British who were well-entrenched in the neighbouring areas of Karnataka and Kerala.
In 1833, Chikka Veerarajendra angered the British by taking Kulpally Karunakara Menon, an emissary of the BritishEast India Company, as hostage. Karunakara Menon warned the raja not to antagonise the British. In Menon’s famous words: “The British had the capacity to raise troops which could outnumber the trees in Kodagu! Ill-advised by Dewan Basavanna, Chikka Veerarajendra remained defiant and demanded the British to hand over his brother-in-law and sister who had been given asylum in Mysore. Chikka Veerarajendra accused his brother-in-law of hatching a plot to overthrow him.
By early 1834, the British decided to attack Kodagu. British troops encircled Kodagu from Mysore, Kodlipet, Kannur and Mangalore. A besieged raja called Dewan Ponnappa for advice. Dewan Ponnappa’s counsel was to immediately and unconditionally release Karunakara Menon. He was candid that the British could not be countered militarily. This enraged Dewan Basavanna who suddenly struck Dewan Ponnappa. Seventy-year-old Ponnappa momentarily lost consciousness but soon recovered. Without uttering another word, he walked out of Madikeri fort.
This was a defining moment in the history of Kodagu. Dewan Bopanna and other Kodava elders were appalled and they agreed it would be better if the administration of Kodagu was taken over by the British. They decided not to resist the impending British intervention.
On April 10, 1834, the East India Company under Colonel J S Fraser marched into Madikeri fort and announced the ouster of Chikka Veerarajendra. Kodagu was annexed and the raja was permanently exiled from his kingdom.
The British very diplomatically continued the services of Dewan Ponnappa, Dewan Bopanna and many other Kodava officials. Dewan Ponnappa lived to a ripe-old age of eighty-four. Before he died in 1847, his first wife Cheyyavva extracted a promise from him and her sons. Cheyyavva wanted to be buried closer to Ponnappa’s grave than her bête noire Somavva! This wish was fulfilled. The graves of Ponnappa’s two wives are located on either side of his tomb with that of Cheyyavva being closer by a foot!
His legacy
One of Ponnappa’s sons, Madayya was very influential, and in 1866, he renamed a small hamlet known as Balelesanthe (a place famous for selling banana leaves – an important commodity those days) as: Ponnappanapete after his illustrious father. Over the years, it transformed to Ponnampet and is currently a flourishing town in Kodagu. Chepudira family members installed a statue of Dewan Ponnappa in Ponnampet when the clan hosted the Kodava Hockey Festival in the town in 2000. Not to be forgotten , of course, is the fact that in 1957, Dewan Ponnappa’s great-great-granddaughter’s son, K S Thimayya, took charge as the Chief of Army Staff of India!
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum> History / by C.P. Belliappa / May 28th, 2012
Minimal designs, foldable furniture, technology to control locks and lights… the home decor trend in 2021 was simplistic and practical.
Interior designers find 2021 to be a year of contemporary, trendy and eco-friendly home decor styles.
Bengaluru :
The years 2020 and 2021 have seen many turning homebodies out of little option. Thanks to the raging pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, people have been forced to stay indoors. It’s no surprise then that the trend of doing up homes to suit working from home continued into 2021.
According to interior designers, this was the year when people cleared clutter. Tasneem, studio manager at Design Café Bangalore, says, “The use of multi-functional furniture was a huge factor this year. Clients wanted something that is practical and something that takes up minimal space in the house.
It was more about utility than looks this year.” She goes on to add, “For instance, most homes required two study/ work tables. But many clients just wanted a table that could be attached to the wall or something that is foldable. This also led to customers opting for ‘zoning’, where there’s a visual divide of the different spaces in home – be it the study space, drawing or bedroom and kitchen. Different corners to unplug was also an important factor.”
With Bengalureans spending extended periods at home, many were particular about open spaces and well-lit spaces. Anagha Bhaskar, principal architect of Pradyotha Associates, says, “Whether it was people building brand new homes or renovating their current ones, they wanted fewer walls, more windows – long ones to be precise – and plenty of natural light coming in throughout the day. This also led to dedicated spaces for indoor gardens as people had the time to care for them while working from home.”
The buzzword has been sustainability which spilt into the home decor space too. Various other redecorations with the use of bottles, eco-friendly products and old materials were added to homes, giving them a story of their own. “On the other hand, digitally-focused homes were also a trend we saw in 2021. They used technology to control the settings of the home – from locks to lights within the house,” explains Bhaskar.
Nain Belliappa, founder and creative director of Houseof9design, adds that marble and stone finishes were preferred over laminate products. “As for the design style, people wanted something contemporary. For example, plantation-style homes like fireplaces or pillar designs were opted for even in apartment spaces. This is something we only saw in independent homes previously,” she explains.
Long study and work desks for both children and parents were an additional factor. With many welcoming pets during the pandemic, pet parents wanted their home to not have any sharp edges or wallpaper. There was also the use of rugs or carpets for pets. “The colour schemes that were popular through the year were monotones and muted colours. Homeowners wanted minimalistic designs in classic and contemporary styles. Home with a spirit is the vibe of 2021,” says Belliappa.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Anila Kurian, Express News Service / December 27th, 2021
The keeper-batsman skippered South Zone and Tamil Nadu
Former Tamil Nadu and South Zone captain P.K. Belliappa passed away in Bengaluru on Wednesday morning. He was 79 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Belliappa, who made his debut for Tamil Nadu (then Madras) in 1959, played 94 First Class matches till 1974.
An opening batsman and a wicket-keeper, he made 4061 runs at an average of 29.42 with a highest score of 141 and had 93 catches and 46 stumpings to his credit.
Former India leg-spinner V.V. Kumar said “I played with him for close to 20 years and he was a great captain in the 60s. Under him we really did well in various tournaments. He was a gritty opening batsman and very good ’keeper who gave valuable inputs to the bowler as well. He was a self-made cricketer and off-the field, the heart and soul of any party.”
Another contemporary, former TN fast bowler B. Kalayanasundaram, remarked “he was my captain when I made my debut in Ranji Trophy and someone who always encouraged players. Once played me in an inter-district match when I was not well and made me bowl just five overs before allowing me to take rest, so that he could then pick me for the State side.”
“I knew him from my younger days as we were neighbours in Harrington Road and used to play with a golf ball. He was a very pleasant person and incidentally, I made my debut in his last Ranji Trophy match,” said former India wicketkeeper Bharat Reddy.
The TNCA president and members condoled the demise of Belliappa in a statement. His last rites will be held in his native place Coorg.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Cricket / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – February 19th, 2020
Kalinga DESIAGRO Foundation (KDF) has inaugurated an integrated coffee processing and storage unit today. Located in Ekadeli village, about 12 kms away from the Koraput town, the 4,500 sq. ft. facility houses state-of-the-art machineries capable of undertaking curing of raw coffee, including hulling, peeling, polishing, and grading operations. A prominent feature of the entire set-up is the phosphor-bronze peeler polisher, that will impart a fine lustre to the coffee processed at the unit, at par with some of the best curing works in Karnataka.
Mckinnon India Pvt. Ltd., a renowned manufacturer and exporter of coffee processing systems, was engaged by KDF to commission the processing unit. KDF further relied on the technical guidance and wisdom of Mrs. Sunalini Menon, Coffee Lab, Bangalore, one of the leading coffee quality experts in India.
The unit will cater to the requirements of the coffee growers of Koraput, neighbouring districts including Kandhamal and Keonjhar, and all such districts in Odisha, where coffee is being commercially produced. The unit will enable the coffee growers to make value addition to their coffee that is being currently sold in raw form (called parchment or cherry) to traders in Karnataka. The integrated facility has been conceptualized to be future proof, with the provision for an initial storage capacity of 200 metric tons of raw coffee.
The processing unit is capable of processing approximately 600 metric tons of raw coffee annually, with provision for phase-wise expansion in the future. Due to the sensitive and hygroscopic nature of coffee beans, the facility has been constructed with necessary adherence to the guidelines and norms prescribed by the Coffee Board of India to ensure optimal temperature and moisture control.
The unit was recently audited by Dr. Mandappa I.S. the Divisional Head of Coffee Quality (Coffee Board of India) as part of the process for its registration as a Coffee Board licenced curing works.
The establishment of the integrated unit is part of KDF’s social impact outreach towards transforming the coffee ecosystem in southern Odisha.
The integrated unit represents a significant private investment in not just the fledgling coffee sector of Odisha but in the economically and industrially backward district of Koraput in general. The unit has been commissioned in a record time of just under 6 months, reaffirming the commitment of KDF towards the coffee growers of Koraput. The project aims to positively affect lives of over 1500 locals including by way of generating direct and indirectly employment.
As part of its effort to boost the hyperlocal economy, KDF has chosen to largely work with local vendors, suppliers and contractors in the Koraput district in setting up the unit. The establishment of the processing facility is likely to have a ripple effect on the coffee sector in the near future by encouraging more coffee growers and boosting the earning capabilities of the existing growers by enabling them to sell green coffee beans, the most popularly traded form of coffee internationally.
To mark this significant occasion, KDF organized an event to officially unveil the integrated processing and storage unit.
Shri Iswar Chandra Panigrahi, Chairman of Odisha State Seeds Corporation & District President of BJD, Shri Upendra Saha, Senior Liaison Officer of the Coffee Board of India (Koraput) and Shri Pradip Mohanty, President of Odisha Coffee Growers Association, graced the occasion as the guests of honour.
The integrated coffee curing and storage unit was unveiled to the attendees after a customary ribbon cutting ceremony.
The event was attended by the members of the coffee fraternity comprising of the local coffee growers (both tribals and non-tribals). Local coffee growers who are affiliated with KDF were felicitated with silver coins, personalised goodies and certificate of recognition, to appreciate their efforts in producing quality coffee. Other attendees, including the local tribal dancers and performers, were handed over attractive hampers.
On the sidelines of the event, KDF also introduced its green beans coffee brand “Kora Milds – Coffee from the East”.
A day before the main event, KDF organised a feast for the neighbouring villages and the workers, which was attended by more than 150 people.
A volleyball tournament was also organised for the youth of the villages forming part of the local Gram Panchayat, with the winning team being felicitated with a cash prize.
source: http://www.sambadenglish.com / Sambad English / Home> Economy / by Sambad English Bureau / March 26th, 2022
To make a mark in 12th Hockey India Junior WomenNational Championship at Kakinada from today
The Junior Women’s Hockey players from across the nation have a golden opportunity to showcase their skills at the 12th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship, which began today (Mar. 25) at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
A total of 26 teams will vie for top honours in the competition including the Karnataka team that has 12 players from Kodagu. Kodagu district has contributed many hockey champions to the national and international events including the Olympics.
In the team are: P. Dechamma Ganapathy, B.J. Jeevitha, Seema Anandarao Pawar, B.M. Keerthana, H.S. Jahnavi, Taj Belliappa, S.B. Nisarga, H.B. Siddaganga, H.A. Apsara, K.J. Dilan, T.C. Suchitha and H. Mani. The girls from Kodagu form a formidable force in the 19-member team.
D.N. Tejaswini and C.M. Sahana of Hassan District, Kaveri R. Lenkannavar of Dharwad District, Tamil Nadu-based B. Deepika and Andhra Pradesh-based Vudumula Sowmya who are at present coaching at SAI (Sports Authority of India) Centre Madikeri and Kushee M. Jain from Bengaluru will also represent the Karnataka team.
Participating teams
The participating teams include Hockey Haryana, Goans Hockey and Hockey Madhya Pradesh in Group A, while Pool B features Hockey Jharkhand, Manipur Hockey and Assam Hockey. Pool C includes Hockey Maharashtra, Telangana Hockey and Le Puducherry Hockey, meanwhile, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Hockey Uttarakhand have been slotted in Pool D.
Hockey Association of Odisha, Delhi Hockey and Kerala Hockey have been included in Pool E, while Pool F features Punjab, Chhattisgarh Hockey and Hockey Himachal. Pool G features Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Bihar, Hockey Rajasthan and Hockey Mizoram, while Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Hockey Karnataka, Hockey Bengal and Hockey Gujarat has been included in Pool H.
Matches from Mar.25
The Karnataka girls will play their first match against Gujarat on Mar. 25 and fight with Andhra Pradesh on Mar. 27 and with West Bengal on Mar. 29. The team will enter the quarter-finals if it wins against all three teams.
After six days of pool matches, the quarter-finals will be played on Mar.31, the semi-finals on Apr. 2 whereas the medal matches of the 12th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2022 are scheduled on Apr. 3.
The Karnataka team has brought laurels to the State in thFe matches held in New Delhi,
Assam, Haryana, Jharkhand and Kerala. As of now, there is no player from Kodagu in the Indian National Team either from Kodagu or Karnataka. The participation of 12 players from Kodagu in a single team has raised hopes of at least four or five of them making it to the National team.
Team well-prepared
The team has already been trained well in Bengaluru and the players are confident of making big in the championship. At Kakinada, all the teams have been acclimatising to the ground and weather conditions as the humidity is high. “Our preparations for the tournament are going great and our confidence is high as we are well-trained and we are sure of bringing laurels to Karnataka,” said Dechamma Ganapathy.
In the recently held India Camp in Bengaluru, Dechamma Ganapathy, Tejaswini, Sowmya, Sahana, Kushee, Deepika, Kaveri had participated. While Tejaswini was captain-cum-goal-keeper, Suchitha was the goal-keeper.
B.M. Komala is the team coach and Dharmendra is officiating as Manager.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 25th, 2022
The increased pollution of River Cauvery can be observed clearly on the Kushalnagar-Koppa Bridge – the NH275 – from where people often toss garbage into the water.
An officer conducts a survey of the bridge to install the chain link mesh.
Madikeri :
An innovative project is underway to control the dumping of litter in river Cauvery near Kushalnagar. The Town Panchayat has drawn a plan to install chain link mesh across the Kushalnagar-Koppa bridge to protect river Cauvery from the garbage.
After its birth in Talacauvery, Cauvery flows towards Kushalnagar passing Balamuri and other places. While the river is in its purest form at Talacauvery, the quality of the water touches B Grade and sometimes C Grade due to the increased pollution from various commercial activities and garbage dumping.
The increased pollution of River Cauvery can be observed clearly on the Kushalnagar-Koppa Bridge – the NH275 – from where people often toss garbage into the water.
“Garbage including unwanted materials and religious waste are being regularly tossed into River Cauvery from the Kushalnagar-Koppa Bridge. Many cleanliness and awareness drives have been hosted to prevent this, but in vain,” shared Chandramohan, convener of the Cauvery Nadi Swachata Andolana committee. He shared that a memorandum had been submitted to the town panchayat to control the river pollution.
As a permanent solution, the town panchayat has now decided to install a mesh net across the bridge to control the dumping of trash. “A plan has been drawn to install 8 feet high chain link mesh across the 120-meter bridge area,” confirmed Jayavardhan, president of Kushalnagar town panchayat.
A private bank in the area has assured to offer funds to the tune of nearly Rs 9.48 lakh for the project. Since the bridge falls under the National Highway, a letter in this regard was forwarded to the NHA and the project has been approved by the NHA officials following a survey.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnaktak / by Express News Service / March 22nd, 2022
Works are in full swing to set up the third Elephant Camp in Kodagu at Harangi. The State Government has released Rs. 50 lakh for the project that is expected to ease the burden of the existing elephant camps.
Already, Kodagu has two elephant camps, one at Dubare and another at Mathigodu near Anechowkur Gate that borders Mysuru. There are eight elephant camps in Karnataka including the two in Kodagu and the Harangi Camp will be the ninth in the State.
The eight jumbo camps house more than 100 tamed elephants that are used to rescue wild animals and for logging purposes at Government timber depots. The new elephant camp is expected to reduce the burden on the nearby Dubare Elephant Camp, which currently has over 31 elephants, the highest in the State.
90 percent works complete
Over 90 percent of the works have been completed at the Harangi Elephant Camp and interestingly, the Camp houses a Tree Park, also in the same vicinity. From 2017 till 2021-22 Rs.1.38 crore has been released by the Government and works are on to create the Tree Park.
The Forest Department is establishing the elephant camp in a 40-acre land at Athur Reserve Forest beside Harangi Reservoir in Kushalnagar Taluk. The place, located near the Harangi Dam backwaters, is ideal to set up the elephant camp. The camp per se is eight to 20 acres. The Athur Range Forest extends up to 2,000 acres and it is an ideal elephant habitat with plenty of water and green swathes.
Four houses have been constructed for the mahouts and their families to stay, a vast kitchen has been constructed to prepare food for the elephants and store rooms has also been constructed. Basic facilities including toilets have been constructed for tourists who come there.
Abundant water source
Borewells have been sunk to provide a steady stream of water and as the land comes near the Harangi Dam backwaters, there is no shortage of groundwater. Electricity works are on now at the camp and enough care is being taken to ensure that the forest area is not damaged while erecting the power poles and when the power lines are drawn.
The funds for the camp have been released from Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Apart from setting up a new elephant camp, there are plans to initiate other related development programmes including developing the camp as a tourist centre and at the same time provide shelter to the elephants.
Other tourism projects
The Government has also plans to closely develop Cauvery Nisargadhama in Kushalnagar and together with the new elephant camp in the region, the initiatives are set to boost eco-tourism activities.
Kushalnagar Range Forest Officer J. Ananya Kumar told Star of Mysore that once the Harangi Elephant Camp works are completed, five elephants will be shifted from Dubare Elephant Camp to immediately ease the burden. Later, 15 more jumbos will be shifted in phases. Appointment of staff and doctors will be decided by the State Government.
Among the State Government plans to improve tourism in Harangi are water sports on behalf of Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Jet Ski and para-sailing. The Kodagu District Administration is weighing various options for tourism promotion once the Harangi Elephant Camp is fully established.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 21st, 2022
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