The recent tragedy in Wayanad has reignited painful memories for the residents of Kodagu, who experienced devastating landslides in 2018. That disaster claimed 20 lives, destroyed over 4,000 homes, and displaced 18,000 people, marking the first major landslide-related calamity in Karnataka. Despite the passage of time, Kodagu continues to grapple with landslides, deforestation, and encroachment, which threaten the district’s fragile environment and the lives of its residents.
In response to the Wayanad disaster, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducted a study that identified 104 disaster-prone areas in Kodagu. The government has since relocated 313 families to safer zones and established 10 relief centres, with plans for 95 more. However, these measures are seen as a temporary fix to deeper, systemic issues.
Experts, like Col CP Muthanna, former president of the Coorg Wildlife Society, have pointed out that unchecked deforestation and rapid urbanization are exacerbating the district’s vulnerability. Muthanna warned that if commercial land conversions continue at the current pace, Kodagu’s towns—Gonikoppal, Ponnampet, Virajpet, Madikeri, Kushalnagar, and Somwarpet—could merge into large cities, threatening the Cauvery River’s watershed and potentially cutting off 70% of Bengaluru’s water supply.
Rampant encroachment on forest land in the Western Ghats has further destabilized the region’s ecosystems. Over 3,000 cases of encroachment have been registered in Kodagu, with more than 5,500 acres of forest land involved in the Madikeri division alone. The state government has reported a loss of approximately 25,767 acres of forest land to encroachment between 2014 and 2023.
The Wayanad disaster has intensified concerns about these encroachments, prompting Karnataka’s forest minister, Eshwar Khandre, to form a special task force (STF) on August 2. This STF, led by the principal chief conservator of forests, is tasked with clearing illegal resorts, homestays, and other encroachments across the Western Ghats.
However, environmental activists argue that removing encroachments is only part of the solution. The controversial K Kasturirangan commission report, which proposed designating 20,668 square kilometers in Karnataka as an Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA), has resurfaced in public debate. Although the government initially rejected the report, recent events have prompted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to consider a re-evaluation.
Environmentalists are divided on the ESA designation. Opponents fear that the restrictions on construction, roads, industries, and tourism within the ESA would harm local livelihoods and hinder development. Supporters, however, argue that unchecked development primarily benefits outsiders and poses a significant threat to the Western Ghats.
As Kodagu continues to attract millions of tourists—over 42 lakh visitors last year alone—the strain on its natural resources grows, heightening the risk of future disasters. With the monsoon season still in progress, Kodagu stands at a critical juncture, where the choices made in the coming months could determine whether the district will avoid another catastrophe or face a repeat of the tragic events of 2018.