Environmentalists Protest Housing Project on 94-Acre Land Near Madikeri, Seek Afforestation
- Kodagu Express Bureau
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Madikeri: Environmental activists staged a demonstration at K. Nidugane Gram Panchayat near Madikeri on Wednesday(22 July,2026), opposing the proposed development of a large residential layout on a 94-acre parcel of land and calling for the area to be restored through afforestation.
The land, where more than 900 trees were cut down about seven years ago for the proposed housing project, has remained a contentious issue among environmental groups.
The protest was led by Col. Muthanna (Retd.) of the Save Kodagu and Cauvery Campaign. He alleged that the land had been converted for commercial purposes in violation of norms, claiming the details emerged through information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. According to him, the project envisages the development of nearly 1,200 residential sites.
Muthanna further alleged that the project, which was initially presented as a scheme to provide housing sites to economically weaker sections under a 60:40 model, had instead benefited a businessman from Andhra Pradesh, who he claimed had deceived several people in the district.
Raising environmental concerns, he said the proposed layout could pose a serious threat to Kootu Hole, a major source of drinking water for Madikeri. He alleged that sewage generated from the residential development could eventually flow into the water body and maintained that environmental groups would oppose any housing layout on the land.
Prasanna Bhat of the Kodagu Development Committee said this protest marked the first in a series of planned agitations aimed at stopping the project. He alleged that the Karnataka Housing Board had partnered with the Andhra Pradesh-based businessman to develop sites for the poor, but the plots were now being sold at ₹1,050 per sq. ft.
Another protester alleged that K. Nidugane Gram Panchayat had processed e-Swathu and e-Khata registrations for over 1,000 sites within a month in violation of rules.
The protesters urged Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda to intervene immediately, halt the project and ensure that the cleared land is restored through large-scale tree plantation.
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Thank you Save Kodagu and Cauvery Campaign for taking this initiative. I do hope that in the future all such projects that involve extensive deforestation are stopped right at the beginning when the JCBs move in uprooting years old trees, coffee bushes and flattening lands. And please look into the rampant corruption which is prevalent in the working of the Gram Panchayats!