Let me come to the core issues right away:
- The sale of land at the Igguthappa Malma is detrimental to the sensitive environment and the significant damage caused by cutting of trees, protected species of Cane Palm, irresponsible excavation of the hillside with heavy duty earth moving equipment, substantial widening of the road are serious violations of existing protocols with land use.
- There are “land conversion” rules for civil construction – in this instance meditation halls, “goshalas”, accommodation, etc, which have not been followed. The land conversion charges are steep and more importantly should not be undertaken in landslide prone slopes. For starters the local Panchayat should have cleared the plans after paying the necessary fees.
This is the story of MALMA KUNDH IN NELGI VILLAGE, KODAGU DISTRICT which has been making headlines since about a week. Approximately 500 villagers gathered at Balamavatti Village Panchayat office, to express their opposition on the transgression or infringement on the sacred precincts of the MALMA KUNDH revered by Kodavas and Kodava Bashikas.
This begs the question – WHY ARE THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION INSTITUTIONS – KARNATAKA FOREST and MINES & GEOLOGY DEPARTMENTS, KODAGU ADMINISTRATION SELECTIVE IN IMPOSING PENALTIES AND ENFORCING LAW?
As local public pressure started building up, the purchaser of the approximately 60 acres land Mumtaz Ali, has now gone on record stating that he is ready to return the entire parcel of land. The pre-conditions keep varying but given his spiritual awareness, erudition and bestowed national award (Padma Bhushan – which is repeated at every opportunity) and the substantial violations of environment damage and land usage protocols, the properties should be restored to its previous condition.
On June 20th, a few of us from JABHOOMI CHARITABLE TRUST attended the meeting held at Balamavatti GP. The meeting was highly charged with everyone present there in unanimity against the SALE OF 2 PRIVATE PROPERTIES IN THE SACRED MALMA KUNDH. After the meeting a few of us with the local villagers went up the hills along with the TV and media crew to see the ground reality.
What we saw there was rampant destruction of native trees especially the CANE PALM, more than 25 of which were cut. This CANE is a highly protected species of tree as per the Karnataka Forest Act and any destruction or illegal cutting of this CANE PALM ENTAILS A 10 YEAR NON-BAILABLE ARREST ALONG WITH a penalty of rupees 1 Lakh. Most of us who are planters know the harassment meted out by Forest Department if we cut a normal tree inside our estates. This being the situation in all our estates, the question now being asked is, who gave Mumtaz Ali permission. Not only CANE there are plenty of native forest trees which have been cut indiscriminately, over an extended period of time.
Who will take the onus for all the destruction which has happened so far in MALMA HILLS? Shouldn’t there be an immediate enquiry by the concerned MLA, MP, Community Leaders and institutions like Coorg Wildlife Society. In this instance, the Akhila Kodava Samaja and respective Baktha Sanghas could have taken preemptive measures and prevented the sale.
In summary, the following suggestions must be considered:
- Revert the management of the Padi Igguthappa Temple and Talekaveri Temple to Kodavas from Muzrai. The funds and offerings collected needs transparent accountability and usage with STRICT COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT – read checks and balances.
- Sale of Jamma Land for non-agricultural use should not be allowed.
- Review the compliance by all resorts to environment standards and that they do not threaten the fragile landscape. Why were these permissions given in the first place?
- The transaction under discussion at the Malma should be negated. The Panchayat alongwith the local villagers can collectively decide whether it should be part of Nelgi Temple or Reserve Forest.
- Review urgent measures to improve the environment. This should include all encroachments into Devarkadus to be restored to previous status.
- Wetland Cultivation to be encouraged and incentivised keeping in mind the need to raise the water table of the district.
- Written boldly at the entrance of Vidhana Soudha is “GOVERNMENT WORK IS GODS WORK”. Starting from being “elected” to the Panchayat, or as a Revenue Officer/PDO/Forest Department Official/District Administration – you’ve chosen to be a “public servant” – it’s a privilege. Perhaps a quarterly meeting starting with the Panchayat that discusses matters regarding development programs/spend, land sale etc with local residents is a way forward.
We Kodavas should also actively deliberate the implications of sale of Jamma lands altogether. Our Real Estate Agents need to search their conscience and not be branded as the prime cause of selling our heritage. To make matters worse when the land is sold to people who have no long term stake in the land, it leads to dilution of environmental concerns and loss of Kodava identity. Furthermore, the unrestricted migrants flowing in from neighbouring States has caused lasting damage on the demand for precious natural resources and a serious threat to the cultural identity of the district. This needs to be addressed swiftly and responsibly.
Jammada Ganesh Ayanna, Jabhoomi Charitable Trust. 01.07.2026
A permanent panel of two independent juries—one for North Coorg and one for South Coorg—should be established to safeguard our land and its future. These juries should comprise honest nature enthusiasts, environmental experts, respected community members, and individuals who are deeply committed to preserving the sanctity, ecology, and cultural heritage of our sacred land.
The panel should be empowered to review and oppose any land demarcation, conversion, or development proposal that threatens the environmental balance, cultural identity, or long-term interests of Coorg. Every parcel of land offered for sale should undergo scrutiny by this jury before any transaction or approval is finalized.
This initiative should receive strong support from the Kodava community and all petitioners who are committed to protecting our ancestral homeland. The objective is to ensure that decisions affecting our land are guided not by short-term commercial interests, but by the enduring responsibility to preserve Coorg for future generations.
All that is happening with the sale of land at our sacred Malma reminds me of a timeless proverb – “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, which basically emphasizes that maintaining physical and environmental hygiene is a moral duty, closely tied to spiritual purity, self-respect, and discipline. The least that the Temple Committee members should have done is to block the transaction BEFORE it took place. There are too many loose ends – the Panchayat members, Forest Officials, Revenue Department, PDO and for that matter the devotees of Lord Igguthappa residing in Nelji, Kakkabe should have acted. The Bhaktha Sangha of the main Padi temple and the priests should have blown the whistle too.
A friend sent this excerpt from Capt G R Gopinath’s article in DH.
What kind of responsibility does your power carry-and what kind of silence does your comfort permit?
The irony is that human conduct can taint sacred spaces. The deeper irony is that sacredness exists precisely because human conduct is never guaranteed to remain pure. The temple is a revealing mirror as it reflects not only of what we worship but also what we are capable of forgetting. Perhaps that is the most unsettling truth.
It is time the Kodava community did some essential introspection especially when it comes to the sale of inherited Jamma lands. Of course, there could be exigencies – but that is more the exception than the rule. It is the lack of proper financial discipline of living within one’s means plus hard work to raise one’s standard of living. Wonder how our Revered Ancestors would have viewed and treated the Kodava Estate Agents’ who are bringing in people from outside the state to buy relatively affordable land.
The article correctly addresses the need for the Kodava community to exercise restraint in selling Jamma Properties, which by definition has remained in the family for generations. The “clever” changes to the legal framework on Jamma holdings has opened the door for relatively easy value realisation. At least if the end use of the funds was to acquire equivalent property by the Sellers, it would be acceptable. Else it’s just a “kitty” for frivolous spending.
Quite ironically, last year around this time there was an article that appeared in Sunday Times of India – From Beans to BMW: Karnataka’s Coffee Growers Smell The Riches. One would have expected that the Coffee Growers in Kodagu would have made sufficient money to generate savings and live prudently. Instead, land sales has peaked in the years when Coffee prices went through the roof.
Unless we exercise financial discipline and live within affordable budgets, our valuable inheritance will get frittered away leaving the farmer with neither land nor savings to exist. Loans have been taken by every farmer and they are reeling under the burden of repayment.
It is time that community leaders educated the masses for the need to live within their means and not get carried away by the lure of the bright city lights. Land is our identity – let’s not lose it.
CLN must be complimented for encouraging writers like Jammada Ganesh Ayanna, Kodandera Mamatha Subbaiah, Karthamada Navin Bopaiah, Bacharanianda Appanna and many more who express their thoughts on important matters that affect Kodagu with great clarity and finesse. The articles on the Malma issue by both Mamatha Subbaiah and Ganesh Ayanna are based on facts and extend the relevance to much broader issues affecting the environment at large, Community Conscience and Responsibility, Governance, Kodava identity and for that matter the future of Kodagu.
Good journalism should result in healthy debate that strengthens both public policy and public trust.
The abolition of traditional Jamma land protections paved the way for unscrupulous elements to exploit the environment.
A significant part of the problem stems from within the community Instead of preserving ancestral land.
The existence of large-scale hill-top resorts, like The Tamara near the vicinity of Malma, reflects a deep-seated lack of empathy for the environment and highlights our Kodavas lack of empathy & failure in protecting our ancestral lands.
All local landowners, regardless of the size of their holding, should convert their ancestral properties into Family Trusts. This legal structure ensures the land is retained long-term within the family lineage and cannot be easily liquidated to outsiders. If land must change hands, it should be passed down or sold internally to family members or relatives who wish to resettle and care for it sustainably.
Very well said. The crux of the problem lies within our kodava Community who have lost the love, passion, respect for our homeland. Yes the abolition of JAMMA LAND TENURE was a major blow for dilution of land holding as selling became easy. Hope we realise this soon and stop selling rampantly.
A powerful and thought provoking article by Jammada Ganesh. In an age where nature is increasingly viewed as a commodity, this peice is a timely reminder that kodagu’s forests, sacred hills, rivers and heritage are not for sale. Every line reminds us that protecting kodagu is not just the responsibility of the Government but of every citizen. It is not just land, it is a fragile heritage that is being eroded by greed and negligence. The people of kodagu deserve answers. WHY WERE PERMISSIONS GRANTED?
WHO FAILED IN THEIR DUTY?
WHY WERE VIOLATIONS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE UNTIL PUBLIC OUTRAGE FORCED ACTION?
Thanks Mamtha. It goes to show how very rotten our whole system has become.
This article reminds me of an announcement made a while ago – Madikeri Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has given approval to the proposal of Karnataka Housing Board on the development of sites for housing purpose on 94 acres of land at K Nidugane at Madikeri. A total of 1,140 sites map had been prepared and the KHB was to develop these sites for housing purpose.
As it is, all of Kodagu is overcrowded with mindless migrant settlers from a neighbouring state changing the cultural landscape with no concern for the environment. Similar developments can be seen near Siddapur, Kushalnagar and so on. The resale of BBTC plantations contiguous to towns have become a natural extension for development of housing plots denigrating and becoming a blot on the landscape. What will follow is unplanned town expansion with no basic amenities for sewage, garbage disposal, power, etc and the resultant pollution of the riverside will become the obvious outcome.
Yes the KHB sites and the BBTC sale and subsequent sale of this for residential purposes is another huge blow for kodagus environment
Yes KHB and BBTC are really going to change the demography of kodagu.
The protest against the recent degradation of a sacred hillside should be used as an example to stop mindless construction of spiritual centres, yoga resorts and such gimmicky commercial exploitation of precious green cover. The natural beauty of Kodagu’s landscape and for that matter the Western ghats should be preserved for posterity. What better meditation or spiritual solace could one hope for than you immerse oneself in the peace, calm and beauty of Mother Nature?
The article is a timely reminder to reevaluate the relevance of The Kasturirangan Report – a high-level working group assessment submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2013. It proposed declaring roughly 37% (~ 60,000 km²) of the Western Ghats region as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) while attempting to balance ecological preservation with sustainable development.
Several Western Ghats States (particularly Karnataka) opposed the implementation of the report, citing fears that it will negatively impact local livelihoods and developmental rights. However, there is still a need to look at really fragile environments like that of Kodagu – where rainfall is critical for the downstream water requirements of a very large area.
Concern and rejuvenation measures to prevent degradation of the environment in Kodagu is the need of the hour. Look at the consequences on rainfall and water scarcity. When communities begin to protect restore and nurture nature as if it were their own home, rewilding ceases to be a project and becomes a movement. We must stop further luxury resorts and actually reevaluate how some of the new projects have come into existence. It is insane how these projects were sanctioned.
The irony about Malma.
Malma is no doubt like the sacred place equal to sanctum sanctorum, as we have two perpetual water springs on the top of the hill which is around 1500 meters from sea level. The same spring flows down till Nelaji Igguthappa temple which makes it further more unique from all the other 2 Igguthappa temples which makes a sacred triangle..
The Yethporata which takes place twice a year in different seasons are supposed to be the holiest offerings from Kodavas since ages for which special Bulls with horns are groomed at the Thakkas households. This also has significant importance on the festivals like Puthari where Kaladcha festivals are observed prior to puthari on the same day. People are allowed to Malma only 5 times a year and women devotees are forbidden from entering Malma.
The question here is knowing all this holiness and importance who indulged with all these nuisance?
Those who brought Sri M are Kodavas.
Those who entered into the transactions are Kodavas.
Those who tried to make concrete roads, knowing that’ the bulls or Jodichoma can’t walk on concrete surface till the 2 km imposing height are also Kodavas.
It is believed that during monsoon at its peak, during mid july when the rain and strong winds comes in its full force, the ponds are likely to overflow and flood the hills. It Mythology, Lord Shiva agreed to bear the mighty river Ganga on his head, with his matted locks and divine strength, trapping the Ganga in his hair allowing only a gentle flow to continue down to earth. This incredible act of Lord Shiva is also believed to be present in Malma allowing the gentle amount of water down the hill as “kemi kuthhi kolli” till it reaches the Nelaji Temple as Devakolli.
At several places the digging of earth seem to have distrubed to the flow of these springs which runs under the soil.The mMlma and surrounding hills act as a natural wall to prevent strong winds and damage into the surrounding plains and villages.
And when Monsoon is about to gain momentum nobody talks about burying the dug out ponds which has a dimension of 100 feet width.
Hope Lord Igguthappa forgives us and let the Malma incident be a clarion call to stop all these misdemenours from our own people.
Subramani thanks for the detailed insight into the significance and uniqueness of MALMA. YOU BEING OUR DESHATHAKKA, you have a humongous responsibility to save our heritage. It’s people like you who should proactively take up such issues to save KODAVAS AND THE PRISTINE ENVIRONMENT OF KODAGU.
Thank you for this comment Mr.Subramani (I presume, I am addressing the Desha Thakka, President of AKS and the Igguthappa Bhaktha Sangha) which has a lot of eye opening interesting details about the Malma. Wish the mythological part had any semblance of reality, but this where the danger of Sanskritization is taking place. Kindly retain the sanctity of Kodava worship.
What escapes people’s understanding is why is it that the Bhaktha Sanghas, the Temple Committee and such community organizations, did not prevent this incident from taking place. How can such a large scale operation take place without your collective knowledge. This is where AKS and leaders like you should step up and be vigilant as prevention is always better than cure.
It is now important that the people of Kodagu and the devotees, take up these issues with the Political Leaders, District Administration, Forest Officials, Revenue Officials, PDO and the Panchayat Members of the area and get to the bottom of why this happened and the people who perpetrated this should be exposed and firm action taken against them.
It is the expectation that premier community organization like AKS will take the lead in setting the agenda to minimize sale of Jamma land, convince estate agents to refrain from selling Jamma Lands to Non-Kodavas and also create a platform for highlighting a key set of issues that affect the future of Kodava identity and Kodagu as a district.
Yes I agree to your comments and suggestion. The first thing which came to my mind when I heard this MALMA ISSUE WAS WHAT WERE THE LOCAL GP DOING, WHERE WERE THE LOCAL VILLAGERS, WHAT ABOUT REVENUE SWPT. All of them definitely slept over this mainly because I presume hands were well greased.
The article by Jammada Ganesh is deeply thought-provoking and it should serve as a case study for those who treat “everything” as an exploitative commercial opportunity. The price of Nature cannot be commoditised – else it will reflect in disastrous natural calamities.
This article and the response by the people to the Malma situation should act as a beacon for demanding proper governance at all levels of district administration and public participation for the benefit of the community at large. The future of our heritage needs to be protected and identity of Kodavas and Kodagu be preserved.
At the cost of repetition, self-introspection by Kodavas on sale of Jamma land to people from outside of the District/State; Controlled Tourism with an Entry Fee; Improvement of basic Infrastructure – Roads, Power, Communication, Healthcare; Human Animal Conflict; Concern for the Environment and rejuvenation; Vocation based skills training and Jobs; Control on Migration from neighbouring States – the list seems large, but manageable.
Inspiring and reliable Leadership proficient, experienced with stature, ability to network and build common platform of priorities for the community at large. Akhila Kodava Samaja and other Community organizations have delivered short of expectations. Unfortunately, retired senior armed forces personnel who are secular, inclusive, believe in teamwork, high integrity with an ability to involve the diaspora are reluctant to get involved – barring exceptions.
The Malma situation is a WAKE-UP CALL.