Kappatagudda regains its past glory

Kappatagudda in Gadag district which is known as Sahyadri of north Karnataka has regained its past glory as at present greenery is seen everywhere in this forest area.

Rains that lashed the district in rabi season have facilitated for the growth of plants in Kappatagudda which has spread in about 80,000-acre area. Many check-dams and tanks in the limits of this forest area have filled with water.

The Forest Department has planted 2.49 lakh saplings in Kappatagudda forest area and seed balls sowed by school and college students and environment-friendly organisations' members of the district during the beginning of this year's monsoon, have sprouted.

In the last summer, the fire had caught to the Kappatagudda forest area in several areas including at Bidanal-Virupapur tanda in Mundaragi taluk, destroying hundred of acre of the forest area. Now, greenery is drawing the attention of environment lovers.

Kappatagudda has spread in a total of 32,346.524 hectare area. However, the State government has given conservation reserve tag to only 17,872-hectare area in April.

Speaking to Deccan Herald in this regard, Gadag Tontadarya Mutt Siddalinga Swamiji said, Kappatagudda is a home for much rare flora and fauna. Several useful medicinal plants are also seen in the forest area which has spread in the vast area. Hence, only local people cannot protect and develop this area. The State Government should initiate required measures to protect it, he suggested.

He said a seminar would be organised at Tontadarya mutt's Kalyan Mantapa in Gadag in November to discuss measures to be taken up for protection of Kappatagudda. Decisions which would be taken in the programme would be submitted to the government, he added.

Deputy Conservator of Forest Yashpal Ksheerasagar said, required measures would be initiated to protect Kappatagudda.