DC K.H. Ashwathnaryana Gowda convened a high level meeting at his office to discuss the establishment of Kodava Heritage Center at Karavale Badaga village in Madikeri taluk.
The meeting was attended by Tourism Secretary Jyothi Ramalingam, MLA Appachu Ranjan, MLC M.C. Nanaiah, Air Marshal. Retd. K.C. Cariappa, CMC President P.D. Ponnappa and former Union Tourism Secretary Rathi Vinay Jha .
DC said that though the State Government had prepared a blueprint in 2004, for the establishment of the Kodava Heritage Centre and five acres of land had been allotted in Karavale Badaga village of Madikeri taluk, the work on the project had yet to begin.
MLC M.C. Nanaiah who was also present suggested that the revenue land measuring 15.68 acres adjoining the proposed Heritage Centre should be fenced off to avoid encroachments.
Air Marshal K.C. Cariappa’s suggestion that funds sanctioned for the Heritage Center be diverted for the construction of Kodava culture center proposed by the Federation of Kodava Samaja at Balugodu near Virajpet was shot down by M.C. Nanaiah and Jyothi Ramalingam as the project was fully funded by the Central Government, it would be impossible to divert the funds. MLA Appachu Ranjan suggested that a monitoring committee be constituted to look into the work. The meeting also resolved to divert Rs. 95.90 lakhs reserved for trekking activities at Nagarahole National Park.
