Madikeri: At last, the much-touted high-level meeting to discuss Kodagu's problems will be held on October 12 in Bangalore. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa will take part in the meeting, sources told The Hindu on Wednesday.

Kodagu district in-charge Minister Ramachandra Gowda; Ministers of Forests, Revenue and Tourism; secretaries from those ministries; Madikeri MLA, K.G. Bopaiah; Virajpet MLA, H.D. Basavaraj; Somwarpet MLA, B.A. Jivijaya; C.S. Arun Machaiah, MLC; president of the zilla panchayat, H.S. Ashok; and former Ministers hailing from the district, will attend the meeting.

According to sources, the issue of relocation of tribal people is likely to dominate the agenda. It includes assessment of conditions of tribal people already shifted from Kodagu forests to Veeranahosalli in Hunsur and those in line for relocation. The elephant and tiger menace, particularly in the southern parts of the district, too are likely to figure prominently. Putting up elephant-proof trenches (EPT) to prevent elephants from destroying crops and attacking humans would also be discussed in detail.

Growing Acacia

Discussions would be held on whether or not to grow Acacia trees in bald areas of the forests. Another significant point of discussion would be over establishment of mini-hydel projects in Kodagu. There is opposition from several quarters in the district over such projects. Providing sites and houses under the Ashraya scheme too would come up for discussion.

Certain NGOs have proposed to carve out a park by bringing together the Talacauvery, Brahmagiri and Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuaries in Kodagu.

Discussion over the proposed Greater Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and its subsequent upgradation into a national park was likely to be stormy, sources said.

The meeting would also discuss the issue of class C & D lands (partially degraded forests). There has been a demand from certain sections of the society to take back such lands from the Forest Department and entrust it with the Revenue Department. Class C & D lands were given to the Forest Department in Kodagu in the late 90s for maintenance under the "land bank" scheme.

Surprisingly, the most important topic of tree rights issue to landholders in the district is not likely to figure in the meeting as it has not been included in the agenda.

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