This is what mass movement and public outcry can do to stop questionable projects and development in the name of construction of resorts and Ashrams.
Sadly and primarily, it is the mistake of our own Kodavas who have chosen to sell such sacred land to outsiders. As I have written and mentioned earlier too HOW CAN WE SELL SOMETHING WHICH PRIMARILY DOES NOT BELONG TO US. MAJORITY OF LAND HOLDING IN KODAGU IS ANCESTERAL AND NOT ACQUIRED BY THE PRESENT GENERATION. WE ARE JUST CUSTODIANS SAFEGUARDING THE LAND OF OUR ANCESTORS. So how can we sell our precious “inheritance” – in a manner of speaking – something which we don’t own at all and more so to outsiders and non Kodavas???
If the above PRESS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND SHREE M is so concerned about the SENTIMENTS OF KODAVAS, LET HIM RETURN THE LAND TO THE SELLERS AND LET THE CONCERNED KODAVA SELLERS BUY IT BACK TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO IN MALMA KUNDH.
Sadly majority of the land being sold in Kodagu are by KODAVAS, WITH ASSISTANCE AND CONNIVANCE OF KODAVA BROKERS and also many KODAVAS in local Village Panchayaths. Why can’t the same people tipoff such WRONGFUL SALES IN KODAGU BY KODAVAS BEFORE THE SALE HAPPENS SO THAT WE CAN SAFEGUARD MUCH OF OUR LAND IN KODAGU RATHER THAN CRY OVER SPILT MILK AFTER THE SALE IS DONE LIKE THE PRESENT CASE.
IF EVERY KODAVA DECIDES NOT TO SELL LAND TO NON KODAVAS THEN SUCH PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS WONT ARISE IN FUTURE AT ALL. THIS IS A HUGE LESSON FOR ALL OF US TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.
Let us all today get together in BALAMAVATTI VILLAGE TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS ISSUE AND DEVELOPMENT. Come ALL, Come in Large numbers for the sake of our MALMA KUNDH.
There is a well known saying – If you want peace, stop arguing with reality. The reality is that the Kodava way of life has stood the test of time and served every need of our community. Where is the need to disturb this equilibrium?
There have been many “babas” and other self-proclaimed God men who have made their presence felt in Kodagu and many of their followers are found across the district. What they do in the precincts of their homes and in private is their choice – there is no need to impose their “chosen” way of life and inflict it on others.
We are a curious lot of people – showing unnecessary hospitality to people who want to change our way of worship within the perimeters of our sacred spaces. And then feel elated when proclamations are made that there will be no commercial activity. Soon, there will be religious paraphernalia that appears in our AineManes – they’ve already made their presence – which is really showing
disrespect to our GuruKarona.
The antecedents of all these accidental or deliberate attempts of people who make their unannounced purchases should not be ignored. In some respects it is similar to
https://beforest.co/poomaale-2-0-collective/ who attract people who seldom have an understanding of the culture and landscape.
Let us protect our identity, culture and landscape. Disturbing these ancient mud compacted hillsides is dangerous and unwarranted – this applies to the numerous resorts who have been given clearances under the most mysterious circumstances.
Very well said and you have expressed our sentiments very well
What is most painful is that this threat has not come from outside alone. It began when ancestral lands were sold. Before questioning developers and investors, we must ask ourselves a difficult question. Why are we selling our lands in the first place?
Our sacred landscapes were never meant to become playgrounds for commercial interests. They belong to the communities that have lived alongside them, worshipped them and protected them for centuries.
Our ancestors understood the importance of retaining land and living with respect for Nature. The emphasis on Jamma land tenures was a vindication of perpetuating inheritance and it is somewhat of a shame that we have found ingenious ways to overcome these restrictions and sell for short term gains.
The real issue is not just the desecration of our sacred Malma – we have even more sacred Jamma land which is also the abode of our Guru Karonas. Not to mention the incredible Jamma Malles (forests). Many of these have been usurped by people from Andhras’ who must find this very “affordable” to buy.
If we want to save Kodagu, we must retain our land and not sympathize and find reasons to sell their inherited lands.
Very well said and you have expressed our sentiments very well
Yes the Kodava identity firmly rests with our LAND HOLDING. The day we start diluting our land holding shall also be thecday for our annhilation from kodagu
Speeches galore, non-stop justification that no rules have been flouted with pledges of allegiance to the deity.
Why can’t there be more “transparency” in the finances and accountability of Tulebara collections at Padi Igguthappa? Why couldn’t the Revenue Officer and Bhaktha Sangha members alert the people at large about these transactions – BEFORE it was done?
Lastly – why is it that people from outside the State and non-Kodavas who have no long term stake nor understanding of the culture and environment in Kodagu are the majority buyers of land in Kodagu – especially in the last decade?
Points conveyed by the people who attended the meeting:
1. All the participants at the meeting convened to discuss the Malma issue CATEGORICALLY and UNANIMOUSLY VOTED AGAINST THE DEVELOPMENTS RE: THE RECENT SALE/PURCHASE OF LAND. The government representative was asked to note this mandate against this development and for future such endeavors.
2. In addition to the overwhelming participation by local residents, strong representation from Jabhoomi Charitable Trust was noted. The President of Akhila Kodava Samaja too spoke asking for the closure of the tank built on the site (risk of landslide).
3. If there has to be an effective ongoing and sustainable monitoring of such purchases, a demand was made for more transparency by the Revenue Officer and concerned government agencies.
4. Holding such meetings once a quarter (3 months), will sustain public pressure and accountability by Public Servants. At the end of the day they serve the community.
The million dollar question is not whether we should praise God or save Coorg,it is whether we are willing to act.
Over 2,500 acres around Kakkabbe have been sold to outsiders in the past 15 years, including more than 1,000 acres in the last four years alone. In contrast, only about 200 acres have been purchased by Kodavas genuinely concerned about preserving Coorg.
Why are Kodavas and other long-time inhabitants not buying land?
Why can’t Kodava sellers openly publish land sales on Kodava portals and give the community a fair opportunity to buy first?
If we are concerned about the future of Coorg, these are questions we must answer together.
Are we all ready to buy to protect our own identity?
We had protection in the past with the Jamma tenure.
There are many who want to but our local kodavas themselves create unwanted hurdles and troubles. It’s in our blood not to accept kodava outsiders willing to invest and settle in kodagu
We from Jabhoomi Charitable Trust are facilitating land buying by kodavas since 3 years and have also got non-resident kodavas to buy in kodagu
First of all we kodavas in kodagu should create a congenial atmosphere for non-resident Kodavas to return to Kodagu. If this happens there are many kodavas outside willing to buy land in kodagu and this shall also go a long way in stopping selling land to non-kodavas.
Appreciating all those who have raised their voice for Malma Kundh. Issues like these go beyond a single project and highlight the need for greater awareness about preserving ecologically, culturally, and historically significant spaces. Public engagement and constructive dialogue are essential to ensure that development and conservation remain balanced.
The concern being expressed today reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding Kodagu’s heritage for future generations. Protecting such places is not just about conserving land; it is about preserving the identity, traditions, and natural legacy that define the region.
A sincere thanks to CoffeeLand News for being a platform and voice for those who care deeply about protecting their heritage and creating awareness on issues that matter to the community.
1) Panchayat members will not be a kodava in comming years.
2) Bhaktha Sanghas are fighting for Hindus, We Kodava not participate in there protest. We busy with local sports and Function…
3) We need Real Estate Trust where I can sell my land when emergency…
4) We need full this land (Malma) back
We talk about Kodavaame but don’t have the integrity to hold on to our inheritance. Let the community leaders, many who come from that area, collect data about the sale of land in NaalNad – the heartland of Kodagu. Many large parcels of land have been sold and bought over the past decade – mainly to outsiders (people from neighbouring states) …. Is that good for maintaining the cultural identity of Kodagu?
The worse fact is that many of the “known” estate agents are Kodavas!! Let this be a wake-up call. Outsiders seem to be prospering from the bounty of Kodagu – it’s time we Kodavas did the same.
We are tenants to our “inheritance” – disturb the equilibrium at great peril to ourselves.
At this stage, this is a symbolic but highly necessary gesture. We will be there.
As the author says – where is the “right” to sell such inherited land that gives us identity and stature. After all, land cannot be made or manufactured and this sacred land is what gives the Kodava IDENTITY.
The Estate Agents, Panchayat members and local leaders – including the Bhaktha Sanghas are all answerable. Is our identity and culture for sale? 😡