Friday, August 16, 2024 In response to the recent tragedy in Wayanad, the Kodagu district continues to face significant environmental threats, much like those seen during the devastating landslides of 2018. The incident in August 2018, triggered by relentless rainfall, resulted in the death of 20 individuals, the destruction of over 4,000 homes, and the evacuation of 18,000 residents. This calamity was unprecedented, marking the first major landslide-related disaster in Karnataka.
Despite the state government’s supportive stance towards neighboring regions during crises, Kodagu’s internal challenges, particularly concerning landslides, have been persistently overlooked. Following the Wayanad disaster, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducted a study that identified 104 disaster-prone areas within Kodagu. Authorities have since taken measures to address these risks, relocating nearly 3,000 families to safer zones, with 313 families already moved.
Additionally, 10 relief centers have been established to provide temporary shelter, and plans are in motion to create 95 more such centers across the district to prepare for future evacuations. Experts have attributed the worsening situation to rampant deforestation and unchecked construction within Kodagu. Col CP Muthanna, a former president of the Coorg Wildlife Society, has highlighted the alarming destruction of forests and the rapid urbanization that threatens the district’s ecosystems, particularly the watershed of t.