WESTERN GHAT RECOMMENDED AS HERITAGE SPOT;

Madikeri January 20, 2008

Western Ghat sprawling across Kodagu would be recommended to UNESCO to declare it as a heritage spot, according to the commissioner of Heritage centers and museums.

Inaugurating a Heritage club at Field Marshall Cariappa College yesterday, Commissioner Venkatesh A.Machakanur stated that the western ghat should be protected at any cost as it has in abundance flora and fauna. He said that Western hat has rare and rich forest treasures.

Machakanur said that his department has multiple schemes and projects to protect the traditions and heritage of Indian culture. He disclosed that they would be starting Heritage groups in all the districts. He said that already ten groups, including the one he was inaugurating at the college exist in the state. The groups will also be started at taluka levels, he informed. He made it clear that the government alone cannot protect heritage centers and old buildings of cultural value. People also should come forward to protect places of heritage value. That is the reason why these groups are formed, he said. Nalaknad palace and Gadduge falling under his department would be developed, he said. Journalists brought to his notice that the renovation done at nalaknad palace by stending lakhs together was of substandard. Commissioner said that he was unaware of it and will seek report from the concerned and verify the complaints.

Former minister M.M.nanaiah spoke on the occasion and informed that the FMKMC college premises and the present hostel building was used as stable by the earswhile british rulers. He opined that the hostel should be turned into a museum.

Principal Pushpakuttanna, lecturer Dr.ganapathy Gowda spoke on the occasion.

VILLAGERS PICKET CESCOM OFFICE;

The villagers around Shanivarasanthe yesterday picketed CESCOM office and alleged that the department is applying unscheduled power cuts in the region.

Squatting before the office at Shanivarsanthe, they alleged that the children cannot study properly and they cannot take up irrigation work due to long cuts.

They cautioned that a huge protest would be organized on this 26th, if the department takes no action before that. A memorandum was submitted to the CESCOM.