Deputy Commissioner S.G. Somashekar said he would study the issues affecting Kodagu district in detail and make efforts to resolve them within a stipulated time frame. He was speaking at an interaction programme organised by the Kodagu District Working Journalists’ Association at Patrika Bhawan recently.
Describing Kodagu as a naturally rich district often compared to Kashmir, the Deputy Commissioner said tourists from across the country and abroad are drawn to the region’s scenic beauty. He stressed that development activities must be carried out without harming the environment and said he was personally concerned about safeguarding nature.
Referring to the large number of homestays in the district, Somashekar said there were reports of unauthorised establishments and a shortage of rental houses due to widespread conversion of homes into homestays. He said the homestay system in neighbouring states would be studied to evolve a framework that allows homestays to function smoothly in Kodagu without creating social or administrative problems. Â The Deputy Commissioner noted that several victims of the natural disasters that struck the district in 2018 and subsequent years were yet to receive permanent housing. He said cases where plots had been allotted but not handed over would be examined, and the condition of houses built near Madapura in collaboration with Infosys would also be reviewed. Efforts would be made to provide housing to all eligible victims at the earliest.
Highlighting the causes of landslides in Kodagu, Somashekar said intense rainfall over short periods, unscientific activities on slopes and increasing urbanisation had put severe pressure on nature. He emphasised the need for careful consideration while granting land conversion permissions, adding that while small-scale levelling for residential purposes may not pose major issues, large-scale hill cutting inevitably leads to environmental problems.
Addressing traffic congestion in Madikeri, he said the lack of parking space had been noted and alternative measures, including a multi-storey parking facility, would be explored. He also said necessary precautions would be taken while granting building permissions in river buffer zones and assured steps to address the stray dog menace, with public cooperation.
During the interaction, journalists raised several issues including the role of middlemen in government offices, shortage of doctors in government hospitals, poor maintenance of hostels, enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic, underground drainage and Amruth 2.0 works, migrant labour issues, concerns related to spas and massage centres, and road conditions. Suggestions were also made for surprise visits to government offices.
Association members including G. Rajendra, M.N. Chandramohan, B.R. Savita Rai, T.R. Prabhudev, Gopal Somaiya, Ravikumar, Mallikarjuna, Girish, Gerald Thomas, Vishwakumbur and Bollajira Ayyappa highlighted various problems before the Deputy Commissioner.
The programme was presided over by Kodagu District Working Journalists’ Association President Bacharaniananda Anukaryappa. Deputy Director of the Information and Public Relations Department Chinnaswamy was present. Treasurer Sunil Ponnetti welcomed the gathering and compered the programme, while Director Gopal Somaiah proposed the vote of thanks. On the occasion, the association felicitated Deputy Commissioner S.G. Somashekar.
