The tadadi port project in karnataka will deal a severe blow to the sacred mangroves.
It is a special moment for Govind P Pattgaru Masur, the main priest of Bobburu-lingeshwara shrine. At 12 pm, he closes the doors of the temple’s sanctum for a minute after the morning ritual, including aarti, is over. After the doors reopen, Masur has visibly transformed. In a high-pitched voice, he starts narrating Kannada verses to a fellow priest waiting outside. The discourse between the two continues for 20 minutes.
Assembled devotees watch the priests eagerly. Bobburu-lingeshwara is situated on an island in the middle of Aghanashini estuary in Uttara Kannada’s Kumta, a coastal town. It is a heritage site. Its mangroves considered sacred support a rich biodiversity. The region is home to 130 bird species, bats as well as innumerable fish and crabs, making it one of the most biodiverse estuaries along the western coast. Most of the temple visitors belong to Masoor village in Kumta. On this occasion, they await the deity’s answer to be conveyed by the priests. Generally, Masoor residents take important decisions only after seeking divine permission.
Farmers in Masoor grow kagga paddy, a variety which can tolerate salinity. Till now machines have never been used for harvesting. But this year due to increased labour costs, cultivators want to use machines and await the divine order on whether this can be done. A long silence ensues after the priests stop talking. The crowd breaks into cheers after hearing permission has been granted. After partaking of prasad, the devotees disperse. Happy with the deity’s answer, Masoor residents are unaware about the greatest threat, which can simply obliterate their existence.
Existential threat
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara