The intention is to protect the culture and environment of Kodagu, along the line to look after the interest of the farmers of KODAGU Cauvery Sene was formally launched on 27-02-2004 at Sri Igguthappa Temple with guidance from Sri. The intention of the Sene was to protect the culture and environment of Kodagu, and also look after the interest of the farmers, tribals, ex-servicemen and other weaker sections. Ravi Chengappa who was the Secretary of the erstwhile Dhinadalithara Sangha from 1995 with rich experience behind him. Cauvery Sene under the Presidentship of Shantaveri Thyagaraj had the following as their office bearers : 1) Mr. Girish, Madenad, 2) Mr. Shantheyanda Sunny Poovayya, Mukkodlu, 3) Mr. Mandepanda Rathan Kuttaya, Madikeri, 4) Mr. Mandrira Mohan Das, Maragodu, 5) Mukkattira Shambu Kariappa, Hariahara, 6) mr. Hosabeedu Shashi, 7) Mr. Chandru, Madikeri, 8) Mr. Tharunesh Devangodi, Bhagamandala, 9) Mr. Rajmohan, Kushalangar, 10) Mr. Puliyanda Ram Devaiah, Kushalnagar, 11) Mr. Raja, Kushalanagar, 12) Mr. Varadha, Kudige, 13) Mr. Hosabedu Vijay, Somwarpet 14) Mr. Kalkanduru Madappa, Somwarpet, 15) Mr. Dharshan, Beetikatte, 16) Mr. Divakar, Somwarpet, 17) Mr. Karunakumar, Shanivarasanthe, 18) Mr. Udiyanda Mandanna, Virajpet, 19) Mr. Mepadanda Somanna, Virajpet, 20) Mr. Maletira Ajith Poovanna, Virajpet, 21) Mr. Sathish Rai, Madikeri, 22) Mr. Sheshappa Rai, Madikeri, 23) Mr. Adengada Bopanna, Balele. They are a dedicated lot who worked to establish the organization well in the district in just two years time. Cauvery Sene is a registered body whose activities are open and transparent. the accounts of the Sene are well maintained and audited periodically. Cauvery Sene interacts with other groups and local bodies like Ex-Servicemen's Association, Anti Dam Constrution Association, Coorg Wildlife Society, Wild Life First and Stree Shakthi to highlight their grievances and bring about changes in various Govt. Departments and has been successful to some extent. Since 2004 the programs Cauvery Sene has been involved are cited here below :
1) on 24-5-2004 Cauvery Sene Conducted a strong protest against the sub standard civil works of Madikeri Municipality and got the assurance from the concerned authorities that the future work will be of better standard.
2) On 4-06-2004 Cuavery Sene protested and gheroad the RTO officer and brought about changes in the way the office functioned.
3) At Thannimani village of Pattighat reserve Forest we have stopped illegal mining of semi precious stones by aproaching the High Court.
4) On 11-11-2004 Cauvery Sene gheraod ADLR Office, Virajept known for its red tapism and corruption took the authorities to task. they assured the public better response and cooperation.
5) Raja Seat, Madikeri a major tourist attraction was neglected and lackluster fro long for want of funds. Cauvery Sene took up the issue and was responsible to get major fund allocation of 8 crores to the Horticulture department.Hence the park has been renovated and has received a facelift.
6) Cauvery Sene was able to put a stop to the illegal mining in Somwarpet taluk, in Tholoor Shettalli, Mukri Betta, Thubukallu Gudda and Batharaashi Gudda. It was a long and hard struggle of the Sene but rewarding at the end.
7) A private company had started the mini-hydro electric project at Abbey Falls, Madikeri against the wishes of the local people. Cuavery Sene joined the locals in their struggle and sat in dharani for a record breaking 46 days in front of DC's office, Madikeri and got the order reversed. This dharani was one of its kind after our country's independence.
8) Cauvery Sene also opposed the mini hydro electric Project at Irpu Falls near Kutta in the Brahmmagiri Wild Life Sactury. The local who opposed it were facing resistence from those with vested interest in the project. After a prolonged struggle and with the support of environmental activists. Mr. Sundaralal Bahuguna and Mr. panduranga Hegde the project was called off.
9) When the power corporation of India wanted to take their high tension power lines through the estates of South Kodagu the people protested, and Cauvery Sene under the guidance of Mr. Ananth Hegde Ashisara Put up a long struggle, protest and debates in South Kodagu. As a result the route of the transmission line was changed.
10) The forests in Kodagu has been looted for long by the corrupt officials and their political bosses supporting them and the timber merchants playing a role for their benefit. Cauvery Sene took up the issue and filed a PIL in the court. The Court battle is still continuing. in the meantime the forest official responsible was transferred.
11) Cauvery sene was also responsible in spotting irregularities in the distribution of Vidharba Package loans to farmers by the lead bank of the district. A protest was staged and the struggle is persisting to get it set right. Recently Reserve Bank of India started enquiry about this issue.
12) Due to the apathy of concerned official bureaucracy and the politicians in various offices and departments the public were finding it difficult to move their files and get their work done. Cauvery sene whenever approached has taken on itself to assist the public to go or interact on their behalf and get things moving the offices.
13) When Kodagu Zilla Panchayat under the National Horticulture Mission distributed 2.5 lakh Nagapura Orange Plants to the planter community Cauvery sene gathered relavent information and documents and opposed this project. Cauvery Sene collected documents from the Indian Institute of Horticulture reasearch's (which is the pioneering research origination and authority pertaining to horticulture crops in the country) recommendations prohibiting the propagation of Nagapura Orange plants in Kodagu and filed a public interest petition in high court of Karnataka. Cauvery Sene also exposed the huge level of corruption in the purchase of the plants and the consistent follow up resulted in zilla Panchayat withdrawing the project. Cauvery sene also opposed the proposal of a helipad in the Tala Cauvery Sanctuary to facilitate the tourist to the Tala cauvery and the Karnataka Tourism Department was forced to with draw the proposal. In order to curb the problem of huge level of garbage being accumulated in the holy places of Tala Cauvery and Bhagamandala due to the mismanagement of local body's Cauvery sene took this issue and one Paadayathra from Madikeri to Tala Cauvery was organized to create awareness among the public. Cauvery Sene also mobilized the publics and took a cleanness drive in Bhagamandala and Tala Cauvery and installed 20 dust bins. The local Grama Panchayath has filed a criminal case agaist twelve members of the organisation. The attempt of a private firm to establish a mini hydel to the Payashvini river in Jodupala of Madenadu Grama Panchayath was opposed by the alert Sene activits. Cauvery Sene is also following the issue of timber felling in western Ghats through constant vigil and the consistent follow - up with the courts and the officials.At present Cauvery Sene is handling mainly the following issues at various levels :
a) Agricultural land conversion for non agricultural purposes
b) Misuse of forest land for non-forest activities. c) Illegal sand mining at various places in the district. d) Mini-hydro electric project in forest lands. When a small organization like Cauvery Sene is working for the good of the public of the district, there is bound to be resistance and opposistion from vested interests and of the corrupt. We have faced such instances in past, for example :
a) When we were engaged in the Raja seat project the workers staged a strike saying that they were abused with castiest remarks, a case was booked on us. b) While protesting the illegal mining at Somwarpet taluk 57 of our workers were taken into judicial custody for five days. c) Recently when we were working against the interests of the timber lobbey, we were threatened by them of physical harm. but we have faced them without backing out from the set objective of serving the larger interest of our district. The core group of our organization are from middle class background who pitch in with their resources and precious time to meet the Sene's objective. but this cannot be done on a sustained basis as the expenses and the hazards involved are unpredicatable. The expenses on travel, accommodation, equipment for publicity, legal fees etc., are huge. To carry on this movement on a sustainable basis is becoming a challenge. Unless there is an accumulated fund it is not possible to voice the concerns and interest of the people and take our organization forward. Therefore, it is our sincere and earnest appeal to you to donate liberally for the cause. On our part we will see that your money is well accounted for and well utilized for the betterment of your district. www.facebook.com/KAVERISENE
