Mysuru: The Annual General Body meeting (AGM) of the Coorg Wildlife Society will be held at its office in Madikeri on Dec. 17 (tomorrow) against the backdrop of the expulsion of former President Col. C.P. Muthanna (Retd.) from the Society.

The Coorg Wildlife Society, now headed by K. A. Chengappa, has a rich history of advocating for protection and restoration of the district’s wildlife. It carries out wildlife conservation by collaborating with Government agencies and conservation organisations and influences the creation of effective laws to promote land management practices that support wildlife preservation.

At the Executive Committee meeting held last month, a unanimous decision was made to expel Col. Muthanna from the Society due to alleged misconduct and use of abusive language against a fellow Committee member.

Following a written complaint, the Committee issued three show cause notices to Col. Muthanna, in line with the Society’s rules and regulations, but he did not respond.

In November, the Executive Committee convened to discuss the incident and passed a resolution to expel Col. Muthanna with a more than two-thirds majority, in accordance with the Society’s bylaws.

Reacting to the development, Col. Muthanna told Star of Mysore that the charges of using abusive language were just an excuse to remove him from Society.

“Unfortunately, certain vested interests have taken over the Society now who want to bring destructive projects to Kodagu which I am against and I have filed many cases in the Courts. This is a ploy to weaken me and my stand to safeguard nature,” he said.  

However, Society President Chengappa and Executive Committee member Naveen Bopaiah dismissed these claims, emphasising that the Committee acted strictly as per the law and                                          Society regulations.

“We are also against bringing destructive projects in Kodagu. There are many issues like conflict of interest, funding and allegiance to other environmental bodies that do not come under the Coorg Wildlife Society. The issue is expected to be further discussed at the AGM tomorrow,” they said.