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Madikeri: In a memorandum addressed to key government officials and elected representatives, Nandineravanda U. Nachappa, President of the Codava National Council (CNC), has raised a fervent appeal to halt the alarming trend of land conversion in Kodagu, also known as Coorg. The memorandum highlights the perilous consequences of converting 2400 acres of The Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, Limited Coffee Estate in the Cauvery catchment area of Siddapur into gigantic villas, townships, and house sites.
Nachappa, underscored the catastrophic impact of this land conversion, emphasizing its threat to the delicate eco-system and socio-cultural fabric of Kodagu. “The conversion, attracting investors and settlers from outside the region, not only endangers the green cover but also disrupts the harmonious demographic balance,” he said.
The memorandum outlines the historical context, tracing the ownership of the coffee estate from the colonial era to its recent acquisition by a resort firm. It elucidates how this transformation will bring an influx of over 5 lakh people from outside Coorg, exacerbating existing challenges such as water scarcity and environmental degradation.
Furthermore, Nachappa condemns the business model as contrary to the recommendations of renowned agricultural scientist M. S. Swaminathan, emphasizing the need to preserve agricultural land and forest cover for sustainable development.
The memorandum sheds light on other instances of land conversion, including the acquisition of 300 acres near the Kodava holy Shrine of Lord Iggthappa in Kakkabe. It warns against the irreversible damage to Coorg's natural heritage and calls for stringent investigation into alleged encroachments on forest land.
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Highlighting the complicity of resort magnates, business tycoons, and unscrupulous politicians, Nachappa asserts that these activities threaten to turn Coorg into a hub for illegal activities and undermine its sanctity.
The Codava National Council urges immediate intervention to prevent further degradation of Coorg's pristine landscapes and protect its indigenous communities from exploitation. The memorandum concludes with a plea to uphold the sanctity of Kodagu and avert the looming man-made catastrophe.
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