The survey will be carried out in association with revenue department. Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Kodagu Circle Conservator of Forest K B Markandeya said “government had earmarked Rs 8 lakh to preserve Devarakadu. The government had also assured to release additional Rs 20 lakh.”
Devarakadu spreads from half acre land to 350 acre land in Kodagu. Some of the Devarakadu lands have been encroached upon. It has been decided to evict the encroached land in association with local villagers. In this background, a joint survey will be conducted in association with revenue department. As Devarakadu RTC, survey number and other documents are with revenue department, joint survey will be conducted, he informed.
He said: “It has been decided to mark the boundary of Devarakadu by constructing a permanent fence. Instead of forest department taking a unilateral decision, it has been decided to consult Devarakadu committee office-bearers and then chalk out plans on the development of Devarakadu.”
1214 Devarakadu
Ponnampet Forest College Prof C G Kushalappa said Kodagu district has 1,214 Devarakadu spread in 2,550 hectare land. “There is one Devarakadu for every 300 acre land. Such a vast Devarakadu is not found anywhere in such a small land. In Kodagu, 165 Gods are worshipped in Devarakadu in Kodagu,” he informed.
The Devarakadu committee will fetch 90 per cent of the income by selling fallen trees in Devarakadu. “About 10 per cent will be given to the government. The funds can be utilised by the committees for the development of temples in their vicinity.”
Devarakadu have been declared as reserve forest in 1887 itself. Even 150 years ago, our forefathers were protecting Devarakadu. Hunting and felling of trees in Devarakadu is banned, he added. “We do not have complete information on the encroachment of Devarakadu. As Forest law is strong, it will not be evict the encroached area,” he said.
Prof Kushalappa said those who have voluntarily evicted the encroached Devarakadu land have been conferred on ‘Devarakadu mithra’ award. Kadanooru Devarakadu committee was given a financial assistance of Rs 10,000 for best maintenance.