Sir,
The two news items in SOM dated July 18 pertaining to the above subject truly highlight the fact that any ecological damages caused to the greenery of Kodagu (in the name of development, tourism or otherwise) is likely to have disastrous and irreversible impact not only in Kodagu, but more so in the areas that depend on Cauvery for agriculture and drinking water purposes.
It is futile to talk of “Water Conservation” while one is knowingly (or unknowingly) damaging/depleting the main source itself.
We, the citizens of Mysuru, are heavily dependent on water from KRS (which in turn fills up only if it rains sufficiently in Kodagu — this year has been weak monsoon). We also should realise the importance of saving the ecology of Kodagu.
Also, it is a simple known fact that trees help greatly in allowing rain water to be gradually absorbed by the soil.
This in turn aids in releasing subsoil water to the springs and rivulets (which feed the rivers through the dry summer months). Hence, it is absolutely essential for all of us, including citizens of Mysuru, to understand and support the Conservation of Ecology of Kodagu.
– D.R. Shivram on e-mail, Mysuru, 18.7.2019
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Sir, if I am not mistaken, not all of Cauvery water flows from Talacauvery, it also flows from tributaries like Harangi, Hemavati, Kabini, Bhavani, Lakshmana Tirtha, Noyyal and Arkavati. Disturbing the ecology of Talacauvery region may or may not affect the river Cauvery. This is worth inclusion in the study on ecology vs development in Kodagu. Thanks.
Yes, it is idiotic to mouth empty slogans about water conservation, when we are destroying the conditions that sustain our water sources. It is happening in Kodagu, in the Himalayas the birthplace of our sages where we are raping the fragile mountains so that our ‘pilgrims’ (most of whom proceed to litter and trash the place with no feeling for what is truly sacred) can whiz there and back in comfort, in the mangroves of the Konkan coast (the world’s finest carbon sink, sustainer of a diverse ecosystem which can provide sustainable livelihoods for multitudes) which we are cutting down for bullet trains and highways so that our Ambanis and our Adanis can go up a few notches on the Forbes list of global millionaires and we can boast of a higher ‘rank’ on the ‘ease of doing business’ on the way to a five billion dollar economy. Maybe homo sapiens is evolving to eating and drinking money (since we certainly are destroying sustainable sources of food and water). We get the ‘leaders’ we deserve in a democracy.
Sir, Thalacauvery is only the birthplace of River Cauvery. To my knowledge, 70% of the water to Cauvery comes from Kodagu. Destroying the Ecology of this District will certainly have far reaching negative impact on the flow of the River & these could probably never be reversed.