By P.T. Bopanna

Is the zeal towards environmental issues reduced after Charulata Somal became the Kodagu (Coorg) DC?

After my recent report on how the authorities had bulldozed greenery at Raja Seat and put up huge concrete structures in the name of renovation of the tourist spot located at Madikeri, I received feedbacks to my report from the public.

A few of them noted that Somal did not have the same enthusiasm for environmental issues which she had while she was the CEO of Kodagu ZP a few years ago.

I feel this may not be the correct picture because on the ground there is no proof to say Somal has lost her interest in green matters.

A couple of months ago she heard the stakeholders at Hoskeri village where a World Environment School is coming up, amid protests from villagers  who fear that the project would lead to an environment disaster.  However, it is not known what stand she has taken in the establishment of the school in her report to the government.  

After my report on how mindless excavation had occurred by deploying excavators in the fragile area in the Raja Seat, there has been a disquiet among the public on the situation at the tourist spot, triggered by the unilateral actions of the previous DC Annies Joy.  

The DC should immediately visit the spot and order stoppage of work if there is further threat to the area from landslides.

Somal, a 2012-batch IAS officer from the Karnataka cadre, had served as CEO of Kodagu zilla panchayat way back in 2016. 

She was part of the 2016 International Antarctic Expedition led by Robert Swan for ‘A Leadership on the Edge Program to the Last Wilderness on Earth’

A committed environmentalist, Somal, started E-base in Kodagu after her return from Antarctica to promote environmental education.

By Nimmi Chengapa*

Lockdown has been a cleansing process for the homestay business in Kodagu (Coorg) in Karnataka. Mass tourism has been brought under control naturally.

What the lockdown means to homestay owners? A true homestay, in its original essence, is a home where the owners who are also owners of the land, reside and spend their lives. When we have got this aspect right, it is understood that any alien danger, is a danger to the homestay owners.

So, when something like a pandemic strikes, it is but natural that we would welcome a lockdown for ourselves. We would not want anyone to enter our safe zone, our cocoon.

Yes, we are in an economic crisis just like all other businesses, but whenever the path gets clear, it will be the homestays that will be the safest for guests, as the protocol will be safety for all. Safety will be a mutual requirement.

During lockdown, as much as all businesses have had their setbacks, homestays too have had their fair share. We began to run homestays because we are small growers of coffee, and in order to sustain ourselves we need a supplementary income. However, like they say in Coorg, “mande undenge, naale mandethuni idolu!”. Translated, this means if you have a head, tomorrow you can wear the headgear/turban. Likewise, if we need to earn, we need to be alive.

So the lockdown and all that it comes with, is a saving grace. Besides, if we are to look at the larger picture, which is the environment we live in, Coorg, lockdown has been a cleansing process. Mass tourism has been brought under control naturally.

If registered, or should I say authentic homestays, can be encouraged by the Tourism Department, tourist flow can easily be regulated, as we are allowed only a limited number of people as our capacity is capped.

As each homestay has a limited capacity, social distancing will also be possible. In fact, as we are located far and wide, social distancing happens naturally. This way, it can remain a green zone.

It goes without saying, that if the premises are rented, for return on investment, the numbers have to be big. The space for social distancing would then be limited. However, safety comes first, not only for us but for our environment that we live in. We are committed to the safety, comfort and well-being of our guests and that is our motto and aim.

*Nimmi Chengapa (in picture) is the owner of a homestay in Coorg

By P.T. Bopanna

Instead of providing basic facilities at tourist spots, the Karnataka government wants to build a heliport in Kodagu (Coorg) district in Karnataka, which would apparently yield commissions and ‘kickbacks’ to ministers and officials.

Karnataka tourism minister C.P. Yogeeshwar has announced that a heliport will be set up in Kodagu under the UDAN scheme of the Union government.

Bhagamandala, a pilgrimage spot which attracts a large number of tourists, does not have adequate infrastructure like a bus-stand, toilets or proper drainage.

Instead of ramping up basic facilities at tourist spots, politicians are only interested in mega projects which would yield kickbacks.

A previous deputy commissioner built a shopping complex at Raja Seat in Madikeri, instead of developing the greenery at the scenic spot. Similarly grotesque structures were built at Talacauvery, the birthplace of river Cauvery. The use of excavators and heavy equipment led to a landslide, killing the priests of the Talacauvery temple last year.

At a time when the district is not able to cope up with the tourist traffic in the week-ends, building a heliport will worsen the situation. Moreover, the completion of the Bengaluru-Mysuru four-laning will bring in more tourists to Kodagu.

With three back to back landslides hitting the district in the last three years, the priority should be to repair the roads and bridges affected by the landslides.

In the circumstances, the government should not go ahead with the heliport project which involves building an airport designed for the use of helicopters.

The announcement by the tourism minister to build restrooms on Hunsur-Sampaje Road, is best left to the private sector as the government agencies are not competent to run such facilities.

The Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association president Nagendra Prasad has brought it to the notice of the minister that there is shortage of staff in the tourism department in Kodagu. The government should address this problem, instead of getting involved in high-end projects which would only benefit the real estate mafia.

The Association also brought to the notice of the minister the problem being created by illegal homestays. The government should weed out the illegal homestays which is bringing bad name to tourism in Kodagu.

By P.T. Bopanna

The Kodagu (Coorg) district administration in Karnataka is indulging in flip-flops on the issue of keeping tourists out of bounds in areas prone to landslides this monsoon, thereby compromising the safety of tourists visiting the hill station.  

In the wake of extensive landslides which devastated large parts of Kodagu last August, experts from Geological Survey of India (GSI) had identified 13 villages as vulnerable to natural calamities.

A few days ago, the Kodagu deputy commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy (in picture) was quoted as saying that the district administration has authorised local authorities to take appropriate precautionary measures, keeping in mind the vulnerability factor.

Following the arm-twisting by the powerful resorts lobby in Kodagu, the Makkandur gram panchayat development officer who had issued directions to homestays and resorts in his jurisdiction against accepting bookings till August 31, has withdrawn the directive.

It may be recalled that Makkandur was one of the worst affected areas in last year’s natural calamity and suffered extensive damage due to landslides.

Reports said the Makkandur panchayat official wrote to the president, Homestays’ Association, Kodagu, informing he had withdrawn the directive against accepting bookings. Further, he asked the Association members to take all necessary precautions if the intensity of rains goes up in the coming days.

According to reports, the members of the tourism industry met the Kodagu DC on Monday and complained that many tourists cancelled their bookings fearing for their safety.

EDITORIAL: The Kodagu DC should get her priorities right. The first and foremost is the safety of the tourists and the local residents. The Makkandur panchayat official had taken the decision to issue notice for closure till August 31, based on the GSI report which had identified 13 villages in Kodagu as vulnerable to natural calamities.

The Kodagu DC should not yield to various lobbies with hidden agendas. Most of the resorts in Kodagu are backed by politicians.

The first and foremost is to ban tourist activities in areas identified by the GSI as vulnerable to landslides. If the DC fails to act decisively, she has to take the responsibility in the event of any tragedy.