Rain washes away tourism, trade in coffee bowl

The three spells of rain from the beginning of the monsoon has crippled Kodagu’s economy, which solely depends on its agricultural produce and tourism. Agricultural produce of the district mainly comprises plantation and cash crops which also fill the state coffers. Tourism is the only other source of income for the residents of the district.

Even big players in the tourism sector have been affected as the connecting road snapped and a few rooms of the resort got damaged. All rooms, suites and beds of the dormitory of Hotel Mayura Valley View of the KSTDC had been sold out till August 21. The resort had bookings up to December. However, guests have cancelled all bookings following the deluge.

G R Kiran, manager of Mayura in Madikeri, said only one couple was staying in the facility on Sunday (Aug 19). He said guests have been cancelling bookings up to October.

“The entire district would bustle with activity since Friday evenings. The activity extends up to Monday afternoon. Even during weekdays, we would get guests. Now, our facilities have been damaged and guests also fear the deluge,” said Mythri, who runs a homestay.

B S Harish, a plantation manager, said this year not a single coffee bean can be harvested in Kodagu. “Not just coffee, all spices would be affected.

K Sridhar, a spice trader, said the business in coffee and spices was controlled by migrants from Kerala. “Only local traders will be affected because the migrants may invest elsewhere. We have to look after farms, so we cannot go to other places to do business. As a farmer myself, I have lost all my agricultural produce. So, farmers and farm workers will be worst affected,” he said.

An official said construction of houses would prove to be a goldmine for the ‘facilitators.’ The next goldmine will be laying and relaying of roads.