The Hindu : Karnataka News : Talacauvery won't be a tourist spot: Bopaiah

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Karnataka

Talacauvery won't be a tourist spot: Bopaiah

Staff Correspondent

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Thumbs down to tourism: Legislative Assembly Speaker K.G. Bopaiah addressing the residents of Cherangala and nearby villages at the Tavaroora Koota fucntion in Kodagu on Sunday.

TALARABANE (KODAGU DT.): Talacauvery, the birthplace of Cauvery, will never be allowed to function as a tourist spot, but strictly a pilgrim centre, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly K.G. Bopaiah said here on Sunday.

He was addressing the fourth annual “Tavaroora Koota” function here at Cherangala village, a get-together of the seven remote, undeveloped villages in and around Bhagamandala. The age-old and established traditions of the pilgrim centres would continue. Steps might be taken to prohibit the entry of those who argued against the annual teertdobhava occurrence at Talacauvery, he said.

Mr. Bopaiah took a dig at some environmentalists trying to implement projects in the garb of conservation of flora and fauna. He said there was no need for “outsiders” to teach the people of Kodagu how to preserve environment.

The people of Kodagu knew the importance of greenery, Mr. Bopaiah said. No one should put up hurdles towards development such as drawing electric lines via forests and making roads. Development plans were not aimed at helping the timber mafia as alleged by the environmentalists, he said. He said that progress could be achieved only if the rural areas witnessed development. The BJP Government in the State was trying its best to achieve all-round progress to make the dreams of the former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam come true by 2020. The State Government was planning to present an agriculture budget aimed at the welfare of farmers. The budget would help farmers get loans at 1 per cent interest and subsidy for buying implements even up to 75 per cent. The six-km stretch of the road leading to Talarabane from Korangala, Bhagamandala-Korangala road and Sannapulikotu road had been taken up for development.

Mottana Ravi Kumar, senior advocate from Bangalore and managing trustee of the ‘Cauvery Janmabhoomi Trust', presided over the programme. Mr. Kumar was instrumental in organising this programme for the fourth successive year. The three-day Tavaroora Koota culminating today here amidst the nature's lap was featured a tennis ball cricket match, long-distance running for men and women and prizes to the best local breed cattle.

Distinguished personalities were invited to inspire the local youth, Mr. Kumar said.

Retired armed forces personnel and widows of ex-servicemen from the surrounding villages of Tavoor, Tannimani and Cherangala were felicitated. Lt. Gen. R.V.N. Kadambi (retd.), Maj. Gen. M.C. Nanjappa (retd.), Maj. Gen. B.A. Cariappa (retd.), Col. Jayanth Poovaiah (retd), Col. Vinod (retd.) and Mahesh Joshi, who was the Deputy Director General of Doordarshan, addressed the gathering.

Wg. Cdr. C.C. Appanna (retd.) and Maj. O.S. Chingappa (retd) were present. Gen. Cariappa called upon the ex-servicemen to unite to seek all benefits from the Government. A rally of the ex-servicemen in Kodagu would be held in Madikeri in April-May, he said.

A one-minute silence was observed before the start of the function to pay tributes to martyrs. Earlier, the helicopter carrying the guests landed here at the playgrounds much to the amazement of the locals.

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