Greens concerned over change in land use in Kodagu

Activists in Kodagu have opposed the large-scale land transactions where people "from outside" were changing the land use, leading to commercialisation and displacement of indigenous communities.

Madikeri-based Environment and Health Foundation (India) said it was a matter of serious concern that people from outside the state were flocking to Kodagu for purchasing property by tempting the local people with high prices for their land.

"Some of them may be purchasing land with a view to cultivate plantation crops, but many individuals would be looking to convert the land for commercial purposes such as sites and resorts in order to make large profit," said Colonel C P Muthanna , founder and honorary secretary.

In a letter written to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Muthanna said a number of persons buying properties in Kodagu were from Telangana.

"In view of the need to protect the Kodagu landscape as the catchment of River Cauvery and also in order to prevent further marginalisation of the local indigenous communities, we urge you to give a call to your people to not invest in purchasing land in Kodagu," he said. He added that the foundation was trying to provide financial security to the people of Kodagu.

Experts have pointed to large-scale commercialisation and land use change as one of the reasons for the increasing incidents of floods and landslides witnessed in Kodagu over the last five years.