Lakhs of people in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu depend on the river water created by Kodagu’s forests. But under the influence of timber merchants from a neighboring state, who stand to benefit monetarily, the political leaders in Kodagu (Coorg) and Bangalore, have given permission for the cutting of thousands of trees in Kodagu’s forests.

The trees are being cut in a 52 metre (170 feet) wide passage for a length of 55 km through Kodagu's forests and estates to make room for high-tension wires which can easily be taken through another route which is ecologically, less damaging. The cables can even be taken underground like was done in Gujarat. This was done in 2011, due to the death of hundreds of migratory birds that came in contact with the High Tension Cables. The same Power Grid Corporation of India has also floated tenders for taking the entire High Tension Transmission Lines Underground in Navi Mumbai.

The River Cauvery is born in Kodagu's forests, forests are the mothers of rivers and we - the people of Kodagu, Mandya, Mysore, Bangalore and all the villages and towns of Tamil Nadu through which theRiver Cauvery passes, from Dharmapuri and Erode to Thanjavur and Poompuhar– request that you support this petition of the Save Cauvery Forum.

It is time that powerful businessmen and political leaders understood that these forests belong to the people. The rains and rivers they generate support the livelihood of lakhs of people in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Help us to stop the currently ongoing cutting of thousands of irreplaceable trees. "The health of the hills is the wealth of the plains."

ONCE YOU SIGN THE PETITION, PLEASE E-MAIL THE CHIEF MINISTER OF KARNATAKA AND MARK COPIES TO THE FOUR OTHER INDIVIDUALS CONCERNED. TOGETHER THEY HAVE THE POWER TO STOP THIS ECOLOGICAL DISASTER IN THE MAKING.

Karnataka State Minister for Ecology & Environment at min-ecology@karnataka.gov.in

Kodagu District In-Charge Minister (who is also the Karnataka State Home Minister) at min-home@karnataka.gov.in

President of India at secy.president@rb.nic.in

Union Minister for Environment & Forests at vmoily@kar.nic.in

When you email the ministers feel free to use the content given below, in your email.

Dear Sir,

We the people of Kodagu, Mandya, Mysore, Bangalore and all the villages and towns of Tamil Nadu through which theRiver Cauvery passes - from Dharmapuri and Erode to Thanjavur and Poompuhar– request that you stop the cutting of thousands of trees in Kodagu.

Kodagu’s forests belong to the people, and not to the timber merchants of Kerala, who are now dictating terms in the way our State uses its forest resources. Our forests give birth to the River Cauvery, and it has since time immemorial supported agriculture and many ways of life in all the above named regions.

We have reason to believe the high-tension wires can easily be taken through another route which is ecologically, less damaging. The wires can even be taken underground like was done in Gujarat.

We are asking you, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, the Karnataka State Minister for Ecology & Environment, the Kodagu District In-Charge Minister (who is also the Karnataka State Home Minister), the Union Minister for Environment & Forests and the President of India - to put a stop to this ecological disaster in the making.

Stop the ongoing killing of thousands of irreplaceable trees in Kodagu. "The health of the hills is the wealth of the plains."