“He that plants trees, loves others besides himself”. If we lose our forests, we lose our only teachers. Nestled in the cradle of Western Ghats, Kodagu stands as a prime example of sylvan beauty, enveloping 80 percent of its vast expanse in lush tree cover. At the core of this verdant richness lies the sacred groves known as Devakaad scattered across Kodagu. These sanctuaries provide a haven for a diverse array of tree species, promoting a harmonious co-existence with nature. These sacred groves are threatened by biotic pressure. To help conserve the sacred groves, identifying the key issues and providing solutions, KODAVA RIDERS CLUB(KRC) was born by the fearless zest towards life, reinforced with the fervent amount of biking spirit. Their initiative for a social cause has prompted them to undertake various self-driven initiatives, which raises voice in the public forum. Nestled in tranquillity with an innate splendour amidst the captivating lush greenery of Western Ghats, this team is always committed to continual improvement. As a well knitted family club based on family values, the team reflects on the experiences of our old generation as a yardstick, where upon they put their foothold strongly in their great leap forward in building our equity.
The kodava plantation drive was kick started by Ajjikuttira Prithvi Subbaiah and Sannavanda Darshan Kaverappa to help rejuvenate and rebuild green cover in Devakaad(sacred groves) in Kodagu, which is a unique district where every village has at least one sacred grove. The aim of the team is to protect and preserve our sacred groves by planting ancient wild species that are native to Kodagu. This is done in association with the Forestry college Ponnampet which has been providing saplings for years with the motto of protecting our forests. KRC aims in creating a substantial impact on society by indulging in new ventures for its betterment and pass on to our younger generation, down the annals as a legacy. In the view of conserving Devakaad environmental conscious team organised a massive tree plantation drive in Kodagu over the years since 2019.
The team holds plantation drive each year in different villages with a common goal of protecting flora and fauna. In the year 2021 the plantation drive was held at Nallore Devakaad, 2022 in Kirgoor, 2023 in Hudikeri and in the year 2024 Hebbale Devakaadu (Devarapura). The team aims at holding massive plantations every year at different villages. The initiative taken up by KRC is one of the noblest deeds which is been into several social cause which aims in planting more than 1000 saplings every year in each of the Devakaad. Conservation of forest land (Devakaad) is one of the mind-blowingtasks when the forest area is encroached for different illegal activities. Our ancestors taught us long back why forest was important for we human beings. The plantation drive taken up by the Kodava Riders Club is a thoughtful act and a gesture of goodwill when there is water scarcity and the 2018 landslides taught us all a good lesson. Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish and support, encourage the team for their good cause.
Great job Mamatha , very good article as usual .