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
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 is like the scared 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 and the same spring flows down till nelaji igguthappa temple which makes it further more unique from all the other 3 igguthappa temples which makes a sacred triangle..
The yethporata twice a year in different seasons are supposed to be the holiest offerings from kodavas since ages for which special Bulls with hors are groomed at the thakkas households, which also has significant importance on the festivals like puthari where kaladcha festivals are observed prior to puthari or the same day… And people’ are allowed to malma only 5 times a year…women devotees are forbidden from entering malma
The question here is knowing all this holiness and importance who indulged with all these nusances?
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 the during mansoon at its peak.. during mid july when the rain and strong winds comes in its full force. At some point of time the revered holy twin ponds will also have high pressures to overflow and threaten to flood the hills but it is believed that like in the mythology, lord shiva agreed to bear the mighty river Ganga on his head, with his matted locks and devine strength he calmly trapped 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 the disturbances to the flow of these springs which runs within the soil..
.the malma and the array of mountains act as a natural wall to prevent strong winds and high damage into the surrounding plains and villages..
And when mansoon 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 malma be a clarion call to stop all these nonsense from our own people’
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.