I refer to the news item on “Does Kodagu need to push elephant camp tourism inside designated Tiger Reserves? ” Coffee land news dated 22nd March 2024. Nestled in the heart of western ghats, Kodagu district has long been a haven for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility amidst lush landscape. However, the region now faces a grave threat – the adverse impact of tourism. Once celebrated for its pristine beauty, Kodagu is grappling, jeopardizing the fragile ecosystem and indigenous culture. We are all aware that Kodagu is already choked with the spurt in tourist arrivals, automobile pollution and the interminable traffic jams clogging roads that were not built to accommodate such vehicle inflow. The Mathigod elephant camp situated a short distance away from the Anechowkur gate at the entry of Kodagu district from Mysore, has transformed into a tourist attraction and is set to welcome visitors soon. Passersby along the Mysore-Gonikoppal Road often halt their vehicles to have a glimpse these majestic creatures, albeit from a distance, as access to the camp which was previously restricted for safety reasons and to maintain its exclusivity. Capitalizing on its popularity, the forest department has revamped the Mathigodu elephant camp into a tourist hub. This camp falls within the precincts of the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, adding to its allure. The camp which was earlier limited to only rearing and taming elephants, has unfortunately now turned into atourist destination which is all set to showcase the daily life of elephants to tourists which has been developed at acost of one crore by the state government. What a colossal waste of money- All just for tourism! Do we really need this when our own district is battling for its survival. Why are we not looked into the improving facilities for its inhabitants for the district instead of all wasteful expenditures? Should Kodagu be pushed into elephant camp tourism inside designated Tiger reserves, which is very dangerous for the future of the district? Converting a Tiger reserve into a tourism hub is nothing but a blow to protect a wildlife reserve and a willful act of detrimental towards conservation. It’s an irony that while the forest department is fighting to stop all illegal and commercial activities outside the boundaries of the forest, its willfully engaged into commercial activities inside a Tiger Reserve only to attract the tourists. Kodagu is already reeling under tremendous pressure from excess tourism which is dangerous for the future of the district. What is Kodagu’s future in the years ahead in the mad rush for profit – driven developments? Why can’t we preserve and protect forests?
Kodandera Mamatha Subbaiah
