KHIC DEDICATED;

Madikeri January 25, 2006

Kodagu heritage interpretation centre, displaying India and Kodagu’s natural and cultural heritage was opened today at Madikeri to mark the tourism day.

Field marshal (Retd) K.C.Cariappa unveiled the board and marked the inauguration of the building “Prabhu” constructed at a cost of rupees 38 lakh.

Cariappa in his inaugural address said that KHIC serves as a lighthouse to all the citizens of Kodagu who should learn more about its heritage and culture. He wished that the politicians should also familiarize themselves with the centre and its intension and work for the preservation and development of the district.

The KHIC is set up by Center for Environment Education in association with Samruddi Trust. CEE has been working in Kodagu since 1994 to create awareness about the environmental conservation in the district.

CEE in association with Kodagu model Forest Trust has organized a two day seminar to discuss the issues pertaining to Eco tourism coming up in the district and to make recommendations towards the pragmatic policy on eco tourism.

Vinay Luthra, Managing Director of Jungle lodges and resorts inaugurated the seminar yesterday and said that many are misusing the word eco tourism and are indulging in damaging the ecology by investing heavy amount on this industry. He cautioned the people of Kodagu to find out what is the way forward and do not kill the culture and heritage like it happened at Oty, Kodaikenal, Sikkim and other hilly regions where tourism destination has led the way to hell.

He quoted Bhutan where foreigners have to pay for entry and Gorilla forest in Africa where a fee of 200 dollars is charged for the entry to restrict entry. Something like this should be done to limit the tourists to preserve the nature, he suggested.

Regional advisor of UNESCO, Lawrence Surendra addressed the gathering and said that the nature should not be disturbed to start any industry, as it will have calamitous repercussion in the end. There should be equity and sustainability to strike a balance, he opined. He said that involvement of local people and government is a must to introduce eco tourism.

Kaartikeya V.Saarbai presided over the function. Seema Bhat, Shyamala Mani, Col.C.P.Muthanna and others spoke on the occasion.

KISHORE AS PRESIDENT TO TP;

Kishore Kumar and Manoj Mandanna of BJP have been elected as president and vice presidents of Madikeri Taluk Panchayath.

BJP has won nine seats out of 11 in the TP elections. Hectic political drama was held to elect the members for the above two posts. Executive officer Motappa conducted the election.

The newly elected president and vice president told scribes that they will strive hard to provide basic facilities to the people.