By K K Aiyamma
Taking note of the urbanization leading to sweeping changes in the landscape of Coorg (which forms a part of Western Ghats) – Coorg Wildlife Society has reiterated their request to declare Coorg as eco-sensitive zone.
According to the report in Deccan Herald, the president of the Society, Col.(Retd) C.P.Muthanna, asserted that;
River Cauvery is the lifeline of entire South India. Around 8 crore people are dependent on the river, which also supports more than 600 industries. With the increase in attack on environment, River Cauvery is drying up. To prevent this, the entire district should be declared as ecosensitive zone.
….in the name of urbanisation, about 2,800-acre land has been converted for commercial purpose in the last 10 years in the district. “There is a need to arrest the opening of new layouts, resorts, homestay, construction of railway lines and illegal sand extraction. About 54,000 trees were felled to lay high tension line to Kerala,” the colonel reminded.
Stating that the laying of the Mysuru-Kushalnagar railway line will affect the ecology of the region, he said infiltrators from Bangladesh earlier used to arrive in the district in buses. With the introduction of train services, they will arrive on trains.
Colonel also opposed the construction of mini aerodrome and cricket stadium in the district.
Interestingly, Brijesh Patel, the secreatary of KSCA, had lobbied for the land to be allocated to KSCA, and the Karantaka Govt had obliged. The lease is for 30 years and the lease terms are not known.
While Hockey rules the roost in Coorg, no such land has been allocated to local Hockey bodies.
It is not secret that since toursim has taken hold in Coorg, a lot of land deals have taken place in Coorg. Many dubious outsiders have dumped their black money to purchase land in Coorg and the locals have lapped it up.
But with demonetization happening and Benami transaction act in place, such illegal deals have certainly been curbed to a certain extent.
Air Marshal (retd) Nanda Cariappa stressed about the need to conserve land and environment for future generation.
He pointed out that ;
The land is not being converted for commercial purpose in Kerala, however, the land is being converted for commercial purpose indiscriminately in Kodagu district.
