Today is International Day of Forests. It is observed every year on 21st March to raise awareness about the importance of forests and trees in sustaining life on Earth.
The Dire Need to Protect the Forests of Kodagu(Coorg)
Our Kodagu is blessed with lush evergreen, semi-evergreen, tropical moist and dry deciduous forests, forming part of the biodiversity rich Western Ghats. These forests are not only home to diverse flora and fauna but also play a crucial hydrological role. The sacred source of the river Kaveri River lies at Talakaveri which is surrounded by Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary. And countless streams in Kodagu feed into the Kaveri River, guaranteeing the supply of water to most of the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Forests of Kodagu act as a sponge, absorbing rainfall and moisture, which recharges the ground water.
Safeguarding Coorg’s forests should not be just a concern but a necessity for ecological balance, water security, and the well-being of future generations of Southern India.
The writing is on the wall, if we remain lax in preserving and protecting our forests, Coorg will continue to be plagued by landslides and flooding during monsoons. We also risk facing a severe shortage of water, the very lifeline that sustains our people, agriculture, and plantations. Policy measures with strict implementation will be required to ensure that critical resources like water and forest cover is preserved in what used to be at one time – dense dark forests.
Hope we continue to celebrate International Day of Forests for many many years to come by regenerating and recreating dense forests.