Mysuru: On the occasion of Cauvery Sankramana and the Holy Theerthodbhava at Talacauvery, the Coorg Wildlife Society has urged the State government to save Kodagu, the land of Cauvery from destruction.

In a letter to Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, Kodagu District In-Charge Minister M.R. Seetharam and MLC Veena Achaiah, the President of Coorg Wildlife Society and Coordinator of Save Kodagu and Save Cauvery Campaign Col. (Rtd.) C.P. Muthanna has stated that every year, thousands of devotees including VIPs and District Authorities come to Talacauvery to pray during Theerthodbhava.

Unfortunately, the district and its well-being are conveniently forgotten once the prayers are over. The Goddess is forgotten and the destruction of Kodagu continues unabated, he stated.

“Our appeal is not only on behalf of the people of Kodagu but also on behalf of the 8 crore people who depend on Cauvery. There is a desperate need to save Kodagu, the river’s birthplace and its principal catchment,” the letter stated.

Kodagu is fast losing its green cover due to rapid urbanisation and land conversion for commercial purposes. Over 3,000 acres of land have been converted for commercial purpose during the past ten years and more than 54,000 trees were felled during the past two years for the sake of a power line linking Mysuru and Kozhikode. The rivers and streams of Kodagu are also being ravaged by illegal sand mining and are severely contaminated due to water pollution.

Added to the destruction are the proposed two Railway lines and four National Highways to be pushed through Kodagu. These projects are totally unwarranted and will spell doom for the fragile district, Muthanna has stated and added that the Railway and Highway.