TOURISM IN COORG GROWING;

MADIKERI

April 15, 2006

Tourism industry in Kodagu is growing and the tourism department will do everything required to promote the industry, said Commissioner of tourism, Yogendra Tripati.

Addressing an Interaction meeting organized here on the occasion of Coorg Tourism and Coffee Festival he said that the department will complete on priority a 3.5 crore rupees project which is pending. Appreciating the private initiatives in Kodagu like Home Stay industry, entry of Mahindra holiday resorts and venture by Orange County, Tripati said that Coorg is promoted for tourism nationally and also Internationally.

He disclosed that the Tourism department will introduce package tour and will encourage other tourism related activities like heritage tourism, Eco and Adventure tourism.

Replying to accusations that the department is not initiating any projects though they were approved long back, he said that some of them are held due to non-availability of land, change in power structure and introduction of new taxes etc. However he opined that the Jungle Lodges and Resorts would complete its project at Dubare on the Banks of Cauvery near Kushalnagar shortly.

Presiding over the meeting, FKCCI president S.babu promised that he would request the government to reduce the 12.5% tax imposed on the coffee powder 4%. He pointed out that the export potential of coffee has come down. He also promised that a multinational investors meet would be held in Kodagu who could promote industries and productions in the district. He also opined that food processing units could be opened here.

General secretary of District Chamber of Commerce G.Chidvilas presented appeals to tourism department and FKCCI. He appealed the department to takeup the pending projects like developing Harangi Reservoir garden, Honnamana Kere at Somwarpet, improving Rajas seat at Madikeri, introducing rope way and many others to develop tourism industry in the district. FKCCI was requested to urge government to develop Industrial estate at Kushalnagar, introduce Cold Storages in three Talukas and start engineering and medical colleges in Kodagu.

Chairman of UPASI, E.B.Setna spoke on the occasion and explained the benefits of organic method of cultivating coffee and Tea. He said that only three percent of plantations in the country are using organic system.

Copmmissioner of Information and Publicity, K.V.Tagore opined that proper training for hoteliers to prepare good coffee in Kodagu is very much essential.Dr.Manohar stated that Coorg coffee should be promoted Internationally in the similar way like the Indian Beedi promoted in other countries. He also suggested that a project branding Cauvery teerta can also be promoted. Festival chairman Mehroz Khan welcomed the gathering. Secretary K.M.Karumbaiah proposed the vote of thanks.

A gala fashion show by Prasad Biddappa and team, musical night was organized in the evening.

MURDER ENDS IN SUICIDE;

An incident of a person shooting to death a woman committing suicide immediately afterwards was reported from kedamallur village near Virajpet.

According to police, Karineravanda S.Cariappa, 40 shot a house wife Latha, 46 in the wee hours yesterday her house and shot himself inside the forest immediately afterwards.

Cariappa had reportedly warned to kill Latha and her husband K.Devaiah. Devaiah had accused police that they did not provide protection to them inspite of their complaint that they are being threatened by the accused. The accused shot Latha from the window.

Police did the mahazar.