KODAGU LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST MODEL FOREST;

Kodagu, one of the highly forested and the second smallest district of Karnataka is launching the first Model forest.

Secretary of the Model Forest trust, kodagu, Dr.Kushalappa stated in a press conference that forest minister Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli along with the district in charge minister Alangur Srinivas will officially launch the Kodagu model Forest programme on October first at the premises of Forestry College, Ponnampet. Forestry College Ponnampet would become the newest member of the International Model Forest Network.

The inauguration would be the part of three day programme which includes interaction meet with officers of state forest department, stake holders and district officers on 30th September, stake holders meet on first of October and regional meeting of Asian Model Forests Site at Tata Coffee office at Pollibetta on second October and field visits to Rajiv Gandhi national Park at Nagarahole, sacred forests at Talacauvery Wild life sanctuary.

The International Model forest Network is a voluntary association of 34 sites in North and South America, Asia and pacific Russia. The network secretariat is head quartered at the International Development Research centre, Ottawa, Canada.

ROSEWOOD TOWARDS EXTINCTION?

If the statement of a top forest squad officer is to be believed, rosewood in Kodagu is nearing extinction due to unabated smuggling.

Addressing scribes at his office, the forest mobile squad superintendent of Police B.P.Machaiah stated that a strong chain of smugglers are functioning in Kodagu with sophisticated sawing instruments.

Machaiah, incharge of Kodagu, Mangalore, Udipi, Hassan and Mysore observed that tree cutting activity is more in Kodagu than in other places. If this activity is not curbed, rosewood, like sandal wood is extinct in next ten years, he stated.

He said that about rupees 37.63 lakh worth rosewood being smuggled was seized by them in six sectors after he took charge in the month of June. Vehicles valued at rupees 46.25 lakh were also seized.

Around 44 offences were reported in Kodagu alone since June and property worth rupees 16.55 lakh was seized. In other forest offences, property worth rupees 90.25 lakh was seized other than vehicles.

He regretted that people are not informing the department about the smuggling activities even when they notice it. He said that the department is determined to bring to book the culprits .