Featured Image: Slanted Pillars of Glass Bridge at Nandimotte in Madikieri, which was closed last year due to the risk of crashing. It is built on a landslide prone area. Source: Star of Mysore.
For years I have written about ill-conceived environmentally dangerous projects in Kodagu and stood firmly against them – whether they involved reckless construction, Deforestation, or exploitation of fragile lands. My words bear alarm bell like warnings and my submission has always been sacrosanct: Development should never come at the cost of Safety, diluting Heritage and endangering Ecology.
The Glass Bridge proposal is yet another example of totally inappropriate and whimsical indulgence of public money without any justification. The public outrage is justified and in all likelihood this uncalled for project will be dropped.
The sanctity of Raja’s Seat – as an abode of peace, quiet dignity and timeless charm – now stands at the crossroads of desecration. Known for it’s well maintained gardens, rolling mist and soulful sunsets, it is now at risk of becoming another casualty of callous commercial greed. The proposed Glass Bridge within the perimeter of Raja’s seat is not just ill-conceived – it is a betrayal of everything this space epitomizes.
Kodagu’s ruggedly beautiful landscape is what captivates the eye of residents and visitors alike. Raja’s Seat deserves the memorable quote by Keats’ A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness. It is heartbreaking that those entrusted with its care are now even “considering” it to be transformed into something alien and unrecognizable.
Furthermore, the mud-compacted hills of Kodagu makes such proposals even more dangerous as they are known landslide prone areas.
Kodagu’s hillside slopes are fragile. Every monsoon reminds us of this truth. Sadly lessons from the past have not been learnt. The devastating landslides of 2018 were not just calamities – they were warnings etched in mud and misery which destroyed homes, took lives and scarred our landscape. The basic lack of understanding of this fundamental fact combined with puzzling clearances of such projects by the District Administration is worrisome. The location on which the Medical College and the DC’s Office are built are a case in point. There are resorts mushrooming at totally inappropriate locations – despite Nature’s stern warnings. Our ancestors never built AinManes’ on hilltops – it was always adjacent to paddy fields on level ground.
In conclusion, if the aim is to improve Raja’s seat, why not restore it’s gardens to their pristine glory? Why not plant more trees, repair the walkways, and improve waste management? Why not respect the location in its natural glory instead of force-fitting a totally ill-conceived, risky design. This project certainly fails on every parameter of Responsible Tourism.
Coorg is beautiful as it is!
We don’t need any man-made structures to enhance the natural landscape that we are blessed with!
I echo your thoughts on this. Very well written article. This project will be a disaster if its implemented. I Strongly urge the district administration to look into this as a matter of priority and take necessary steps favoring the sentiments of us all.
Mamatha’s words clearly reflect how deeply she holds .kodagu close to her heart. With every article, she raises her voice against reckless projects that threaten the fragile ecology and heritage of the land. Her concern is not just about opposing unnecessary projects, but about safeguarding kodagu’s identity, beauty and safety for generations to come. Let us hope for the best.
Good to see CLN reporting on such matters in a proactive manner. The same sad story is found in the Nilgiris, with unplanned and dangerous developments taking place.
The government proposes to have a TIDEL Park in Yedapalli, just outside Coonoor, with promises for more than 1000 jobs being created. Influential “outsiders” are advisors on such projects – they have very little understanding about the history and realities of the terrain.
The proposed TIDEL Park is proposed on a highly sensitive biodiversity area and a main source of water for a number of villages surrounding the area and certain parts of Coonoor. A few years ago, when the same land was proposed for a Medical College it was opposed it and stopped.
As quoted by the locals – “Once the area is disturbed, there are chances for an increase in man-animal conflicts. It is also a catchment area which provides water for parts of Coonoor and nearby villages. The area is also known for Kurinji blooms“.
Unfortunately this seems to be familiar problem in most hill-stations where development is necessary, but not executed involving all stakeholders.
Attempting any alteration of Raja Seat’s hillside is inviting a landslide in a very vulnerable mud-compacted hillside. Look at slope on where the massive District Administration’s Building rests – looks dangerously poised for a natural calamity. The entire Mangalore Road bears testimony to the landslide problems faced year after year.
Till Covid happened, travellers seeking Coorg as a destination had a different perception, because they were largely educated and came on the recommendation and experience from their network. The host community in Coorg had a good connection with them. That word of mouth channel/link is disconnected and the flow of tourists has reached unmanageable proportions – expected at 25 Lakh footfalls this year. The scale now is scary and all the ills of uncontrolled tourism seen in places like Goa, Ooty, Mussoorie, etc will be inflicted now on travelers headed to Coorg – traffic jams, overuse of already over exploited natural resources and ill-tempered reactions. All stakeholders need to act NOW before it spirals out of control.
Probably the powers that be wish such a debacle/disaster to happen. I am very sure the best interest of the Kodavas or Kodagu are never at their heart. it is we who must take the initiative to thwart their nefarious plans.
The Future of Tourism in Coorg should be based on Preserving Nature, Not Paving It.
When there is natural beauty that already exists at Raja’s Seat to relax and unwind, where is the need for a glass bridge.
Coorg is a place blessed with abundant natural beauty — lush forests, misty hills, coffee plantations, and vibrant wildlife. The true future of tourism in Coorg lies not in building more concrete structures, but in embracing and preserving the natural resources that already exist.
Unfortunately, there’s a growing trend of focusing only on a few well-known destinations within Coorg, aiming to convert them into sources of quick profit. This often leads to overcrowding, environmental degradation, and a loss of heredity, authenticity and degeneration of historical significance.
What is lacking is awareness, both among tourists and local stakeholders, about the importance of sustainable and responsible tourism. Instead of turning Coorg into another commercial tourist hub like Ooty, Shimla, Mussoorie (which is already the case), the focus should shift towards eco-tourism, responsible travel, and community-based experiences that celebrate the region’s culture and environment.
Let Coorg remain a sanctuary , not only for its visitors, but for Nature itself.
Beautifully written.
I am a regular reader of CLN online and always appreciate Mamatha for her concern in raising her voice – for the issues pertaining to Kodagu.
Totally agree with every point that you have so accurately stated in your article. This is truly irresponsible tourism and this project is unnecessary especially given the fragile ecosystem in Coorg. The government had already impacted the serine beauty of Mercara by building the Government Medical College as well as the DC’s office in absolutely wrong locations.
Unfortunately the government continues to give permission to politically connected individuals to go ahead and build resorts in extremely vulnerable and environmentally sensitive locations.
I do hope that with the support of the local community we will be able to stop this unnecessary project.
Mamatha Subbaiah has written well…like always she does.
One hears that the project is put to rest and shelved.
An announcement from the district administration would go a long way putting all speculations to rest!
Mamatha Subbaiah’s articles reflect deep emotional issues that affect Kodavas and Kodagu. She writes from her heart and means well.
In this instance she correctly points out the futility in putting up aesthetically inappropriate structures at a location that should be preserved as it is for posterity. The sanctity of certain locations that have been blessed by the supreme architect – Mother Nature should not be tampered with. The alterations and unplanned alterations at Padi Igguthappa temple and Talekaveri are other such instances. These are sacred spaces ensconced in already beautiful locations that should NOT be tampered with.
Mamatha Subbiah truly holds kodagu dear to her heart. Her words echo the emotions of every nature- loving reminding us that development should never come at the cost of our land’s safety, heritage, and ecology. Her tireless efforts show her deep love and commitment to protecting kodagu. Hats off .
I am frequent visitor to Kodagu and inevitably stay over in Madikeri. On a weekday, it is soul calming to visit Raja’s Seat in the evenings and soak in the pristine beauty of the setting sun. Why spoil such pristine locations which are soaked in history and of such importance to Kodagu?
The current day trend of converting just about everything into a bustling place of entertainment is totally uncalled for. There has to be careful nurturing of iconic locations that define a place and it’s culture – Raja’s seat is one such pristine location.
The local inhabitants of Madikeri frequented Raja’s Seat for a quiet contemplative experience – personal space for meditation while soaking in the magnificent view. Officials who get posted to places that they are unfamiliar with should take the trouble of understanding the history and culture before implementing new fangled thoughts at a whim. Most importantly, respect the topography and avoid inviting the wrath of Nature – which somehow escapes the attention of the authorities who approve redorts being built on mudslide prone hilltops.
Yes the glass bridge project stinks of IRRESPONSIBLE TOURISM from the word go. As always Mamatha has aired grave concern in this short and responsible article. Hope the district administration stops this dangerous project immediately respecting public sentiments which definitely don’t favour such ill conceived projects in a fragile odagu ecosystem