KODAGU: The Codava National Council (CNC), led by NU Nachappa Codava, has launched a vigorous campaign named ‘Save Kodagu’ to protect the region’s environmental and cultural heritage. The initiative aims to combat rampant commercialisation threatening the ancestral lands and biodiversity of the local population.
The movement seeks to educate locals on preserving jamma (community-owned) and coffee plantations from being sold to outsiders for commercial purposes. These lands, historically awarded by Coorg Rajas and British authorities until 1895, are crucial for maintaining Kodagu’s unique landscape and ecosystem.
Environmentalists, including Colonel (Retd) CP Muthanna, have petitioned the Karnataka High Court to safeguard the ecologically sensitive area. They highlight concerns over escalating tourist footfall straining local infrastructure and exploiting natural resources like groundwater.
With the Cauvery River’s vital role in jeopardy, activists are rallying to prevent Kodagu from succumbing to unchecked development and urbanisation pressures. The river originates from Talakaveri in Kodagu’s Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats, making the region ecologically significant.
Nachappa Codava criticises the Karnataka Land Reforms Amendment Act 79(A) and 79(B), which allegedly facilitate the conversion of agricultural lands into villas, townships, and commercial properties. He cites instances like the conversion of 2,400 acres of BBTC Coffee Gardens near Siddapur and illegal resort developments in the foothills of Thadiyandamol, the third-highest peak in Karnataka.
Colonel Muthanna echoes these concerns, emphasising the impact on Cauvery’s catchment areas, crucial not just for Kodagu but also for Mysuru, Mandya, and Bengaluru. He calls for macro-level policies to protect these vital water sources and advocates for implementing the Madhav Gadgil committee’s recommendations to declare Western Ghats as an ecological-sensitive area.
Local MLA Mantra Gowda acknowledges the challenges and emphasises the government’s commitment to balancing environmental conservation with sustainable tourism development. He discusses the need for better infrastructure and potential regulatory measures like e-passes for tourists, though logistical challenges with multiple entry points remain a concern.
As the campaign gains traction, activists and local leaders are determined to preserve Kodagu’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and ecological balance amidst growing threats from commercialisation and tourism.