The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday cleared the proposal to set up ‘Sahyadri Paramparika Abhivriddhi Pradhikar' (Sahyadri Heritage Development Authority) comprising Chikmagalur, Shimoga and Uttara Kannada districts to protect Malnad's cultural identity.
Briefing reporters, the Higher Education Minister, Dr V.S. Acharya, said: “The Cabinet has also sanctioned Rs 20 crore for setting up the authority with Shimoga as its hub. Similar regional hubs are to come up at Chikmagalur and Uttara Kannada.”
The authority mandate is to take up major works such as protection of heritage temples, protection and conservation of forest cover in the Western Ghats, promotion of waterfalls in the three districts.
The government's intention is give utmost importance to protect the environment and rich flora and fauna in the region but few environmentalist and non government organisations (NGOs) are apprehensive.
Questioning the creation of yet another body to protect Malnad, a person involved with an NGO in the region said ,“There is already the Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA), Western Ghats Task Force and other authorities.”
“We can question the very need for yet another committee. No amount of committees will do anything if they don't do an honest job of what the area really needs,” she said.
Ecological concerns
They say key characteristics of Malnad are its ecological fragility being in the Western Ghats and high rainfall area, unique human and cultural identity, high endemic diversity and now also the potential to be exploited by vested interests.
Suddenly the area has gained tourism potential that is being promoted.
“The region cannot afford to be played around with. It is the source of many rivers that supply water to the towns of Deccan Plateau and eastern side,” she said.
Malnad Tourism
Kemmannagundi located in Tarikere taluk of Chikmagalur district is in Baba Budan range of hills in the Western Ghats.
This is a summer retreat of erstwhile Mysore royal family.
Now with an idea of turning this place into a tourist destination, the cabinet has also sanctioned Rs 16.7 crore (Karnataka's share) in the Rs 49.59-crore Central Government's proposal to take up development of Kemmannagundi as a tourist centre.