Latest news with #Kadamba
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Tirupati DFO stresses on native plant varieties for better green cover
District Forest Officer (Tirupati) P. Vivek on Wednesday emphasised on the need to plant native varieties to ensure a harmonious development of greenery in the district. At the launch of Vanamahotsavam, annual mass plantation drive, at the Divyaramam Eco Park near Kapilatheertham, the DFO unveiled an ambitious plan to plant five lakh native varieties. Mr. Vivek said, 'Native varieties have protected our soil, water, and life for centuries. Local communities, volunteers and nature lovers must take responsibility for safeguarding these trees'. Describing the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve as a harmonious blend of spirituality and nature, Mr. Vivek highlighted the forest department's initiatives like environmental conservation, biodiversity protection, restoration and awareness. 'Native plants such as terminalia bellirica (Tani), albizia amara (usiri), pterocarpus marsupium (red sandalwood), syzygium cumini (neredu) are being planted during forest expansion drives, as they have been a natural part of the region's ecosystem for centuries and play a vital role in the ecological balance', he said. The DFO pointed out that invasive foreign species like prosopis juliflora and lantana camara were being eradicated and controlled in view of their harmful impact on native biodiversity. The DFO urged the public to take part in the drive and plant their favourite native sapling on important days and events. Responding to the DFO's call, senior journalist and nature enthusiast P. Ramachandra Reddy planted a Kadamba plant marking his 65th birthday. Trekkers, nature lovers and morning walkers took part in the drive in large numbers.
India Today
08-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
As heritage violations ruin Old Goa, why the ball is in Centre's court
It is a historic landmark and a must-visit on the itinerary of tourists or pilgrims to Goa. However, Old Goa, the former capital of Portuguese India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is increasingly under threat due to rampant construction and enthusiasts have now sought the intervention of the Union ministry of culture, expressing apprehension over the 'the loss of history and heritage of Old Goa'. The forum 'Citizens for Democracy Goa', which includes former bureaucrat and Congress leader Elvis Gomes; Prajal Sakhardande, a professor of history; and entrepreneur Yogesh Nagvenkar, has written to Vivek Aggarwal, secretary, Union ministry of culture, drawing attention to 'the bizarre situation arising out of the acts of omission by the very state authorities entrusted with responsibilities to preserve the priceless heritage in Goa'.advertisementIn 1986, UNESCO granted world Heritage Site status to the churches and convents of Old Goa. This includes the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which contains the tomb of the Jesuist missionary St Francis Xavier. Old Goa is located 10 km east of state capital Panaji. It was developed from the previous village of Ella after being taken over by the Portuguese, who designated the city as the capital for their occupied territories in Asia in Old Goa was also known as Goa Dourada (Golden Goa), Rome of the East, and Pearl of the East, since the 16th century, and this has been documented in the accounts of numerous foreign travelers, including Ludovico di Varthema, Domingo Paes and Jan Huygen van Linschoten. The city has been described as a port city on the banks of the Mandovi river, which was a hub of horse trade. This brought in substantial revenue for the Adilshahi Sultans of Bijapur in Karnataka, who ruled Goa from 1498. This drew the Portuguese general Afonso De Albuquerque to Goa in 1510. The precinct also has a rich pre-Portuguese history and heritage. In the 11th century, the Kadamba King Jayakeshi-I connected his capital Govapuri-Gopakapattan on the banks of the Zuari to the port of Old Goa through a 9-km-long road known as the 'Rajbid' or the surviving churches and convents of Old Goa are the Chapel of St Catherine (1510), which was raised to the status of cathedral by Pope Paul III in 1534; the Church and Convent of St Francis of Assisi (1517), rebuilt in 1521 and 1661; the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (1549), S Cathedral (1652), the Church of St Augustine (1602), a complex that fell into ruins, with only one-third of the bell tower standing; the Basilica of Bom Jesus (1605), with its prominent Classical orders; and the Chapel of St Cajetan (1661), modelled on the original design of St Peter's Basilica in monuments exerted great influence in the 16th to 18th centuries by spreading forms of Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art and architecture throughout the countries of Asia where Catholic missions were established. In doing so, they eminently illustrated the work of missionaries in Asia, says the UNESCO their letter to Aggarwal, the group 'Citizens for Democracy Goa' red-flagged 'unstopped constructions near the heritage monuments in violation of heritage laws'. The letter cited a huge bungalow by a Mumbai-based politician within the very precinct of the World Heritage Site, in close proximity to the office of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), as the 'most egregious and visible example of this disregard'advertisement'Despite numerous protests by heritage activists, this illegal construction continues to stand as a defiant challenge to all agencies mandated to preserve and protect this significant World Heritage Site. This constitutes a major heritage violation occurring under the direct purview of the ASI. Repeated appeals have regrettably failed to halt this egregious violation. This bungalow, situated next to the World Heritage Church of St. Cajetan, within the vicinity of the Adilshahi Palace gate and the Kadamba-era temple gate, and abutting the Viceroy's Arch, should have been demolished, but for the ASI's laxity and the local government's apathy,' the letter pointed group stated that by the ASI's own admission, there were over 70 structures that are reportedly illegal but still standing. 'Proliferation of diverse constructions is putting pressure of higher density of human settlement in Old Goa, resulting in issues such as rampant filling of low-lying areas, hill cutting, wanton littering, unregulated solid waste generation and its ineffective management,' the letter said. The proposed garbage treatment plant on the Kadamba plateau of Old Goa to treat the waste generated by Panaji has also faced strong opposition from the local letter has recommended a multi-pronged approach to protect the site. This includes coordination between Goa's Department of Archaeology and the ASI to formulate a protection policy. 'The Centre should impress upon the state government to prioritise the swift formulation and implementation of a comprehensive Heritage Masterplan specifically for Old Goa. This plan should clearly demarcate all protected zones, including an adequately sized buffer zone that respects the site's heritage and visual integrity. The masterplan must include specific and detailed guidelines for the preservation and sensitive restoration of all pre-Portuguese historical sites, integrating principles of sustainable tourism to ensure that tourism activities support, rather than detract, from the site's conservation,' it urged.A thorough survey of all existing structures located within the World Heritage Site and its designated buffer zone must be conducted to definitively identify all illegal constructions and encroachments, the letter said.'The time for decisive action is now, before the irreversible impacts of unchecked development further erode the 'Outstanding Universal Value' that makes Old Goa a treasure for all humanity,' the group to India Today Magazine advertisement
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Forest officials inspect gated community to verify trimming
The Aparna Cyber County Owners Welfare Society had made a formal written request to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for pruning of trees in the gated community at Nallagandla before taking up the exercise themselves. The society mentioned the risk faced by the residents, and lack of ventilation due to heavy growth of trees in the community and sought help from the GHMC for maintenance of greenery. However, with greenery maintenance in gated communities out of its purview, the corporation has not responded to the request nor provided any guidelines for handling it as per norms. Indiscriminate pruning of the trees in the community has been flagged by green lovers on the social media, spurring the Forest Department officials into action. On Tuesday, a team of forest officials visited the community and noted that branches of several Spathodea (African Tulip) trees were chopped. They held a meeting with the community and apprised them of the proper procedure to follow for pruning and maintenance of the trees. Forest Range Officer B. Lakshman said the inspection was taken up after a complaint from one of the residents, and that the community will be penalised for the violation. Issuing a clarification in response to the news report, Trees trimmed to the stub haphazardly, published on Tuesday, secretary of Aparna Cyber County Owners Welfare Society, Srinivas Kanchibhotla said the trimmed trees were not Kadamba, but Spathodea (African Tulip) trees. They have a tendency to snap, break and crash at a moment's notice, and hence necessitated trimming. Further, it was not one branch that snapped, but there were four different instances of branches crashing in front of different villas, the clarification said. They narrowly missed children passing by, parked four wheelers and compound walls of the villas. The note also said a horticulturist associated with the builder of the community was consulted before taking up the trimming. He reportedly advised them to bring the tree height to 25-30 feet to maintain a low centre of gravity.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Trees trimmed to the stub in gated community decried
Absence of a standard protocol for trimming/pruning of tree branches is not only playing havoc with the greenery in public places, but also ruining the verdant spaces in gated communities. Denuding the trees of foliage and axing of branches in the name of pruning, is routinely carried out by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in the road medians and road margins, while the power distribution authorities resort to lopsided trimming causing canopy imbalance and subsequent falls, endangering lives and property. What goes on inside the gated communities is rarely public news. A recent instance wherein a gated community resorted to indiscriminate chopping of branches is making rounds of the social media, and drawing consternation from the viewers. Canopies of a large number of Kadamba trees (Neolamarckia cadamba) trees planted in the road margins of the gated community, Aparna Cyber County in Nallagandla were totally removed, leaving the trees with bare trunks and half branches. Posts by the Vata Foundation and Save City Forests group about the incident have gained traction on the social media. It is estimated that a total 37 trees were subjected to the 'trimming'. When enquired, it is learnt that a resolution was passed in the General Body Meeting of the community, with almost everyone concurring that the trees needed pruning. Secretary of the owners' association Srinivas Kanchibhotla, when contacted, said that the decision was spurred by a recent incident wherein a tree branch cracked under the impact of recent thunderstorm. 'We are all environmentalists here in the community, and we'd also want great canopies and tree covers, but the unmanageable heights to which the trees have been allowed to grow in the past 15 years for a variety of reasons, posed a serious threat to life, limb and property,' said. The intention is to allow the trees to grow at a more manageable and safe heights with regular trimming and pruning operations going forward, he added. No horticultural expert was approached nor the Forest department's permission has been taken for the operation. Uday Krishna Peddireddi from the Vata Foundation questioned the manner in which the operation was undertaken in peak summer. 'One branch falling cannot be an excuse. Has anybody thought what the trees must have gone through with all foliage removed in the harsh summer? It's high time the Forest department came up with a standard protocol for tree trimming and pruning, and enforced it strictly,' said. Rangareddy District Forest Officer Sudhakar Reddy, when contacted, said, a couple of months ago, the community had been forewarned against its intention to fell the Kadamba trees as decided in the general body meeting. However, he is not aware of the latest incident.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Kashi of Konkan Reborn: Stone miracle rises at Fatorpa
DIVINE SYMMETRY: The temple has been planned like a yantra, with shatavargas — 6 principles of proportions — yielding harmony The new Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple is the first full granite stone structure built in modern Goa according to the principles enshrined in the original Kadamba-era style Stretching 45 feet heavenwards and reclaiming 1,000sqm for an architectural renaissance, the new Shree Saptakoteshwar Temple at Fatorpa revives the nearly lost tradition of stone temple construction in Goa. The temple is the first full granite stone structure built in modern Goa according to the principles enshrined in the original Kadamba-era style. The groundbreaking achievement has overcome formidable engineering challenges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Aged 50-85 With No Life Insurance Could Get This Reassured Get Quote Undo The original Saptakoteshwar temple on Divar island was constructed around AD1155 by Kadamba queen Kamaladevi . It was revered as the 'Kashi of the Konkan'. It was attacked remorselessly by invaders and the Portuguese. Devotees eventually fled with the deity to Fatorpa, where this new structure now stands. Blueprint for 1,000 years The reconstruction project began with an empty treasury in 2004, with ground broken in 2005, and was completed in early March this year. 'During reconstruction, a bold decision was made to build the temple in the stone style to make it last for a thousand years,' said Abhijit Sadhale , who designed this architectural landmark with his father Kamlakar from Ponda. The design is blessed with inspiration from the ancient Mahadev Temple at Tambdi Surla, one of the few surviving Kadamba-era icons. However, Sadhale noted the differences. 'The Tambdi Surla temple is Nirandhar, meaning a shrine without a circumambulatory path around the 'garbhagriha' (the sanctum sanctorum),' he said. 'Whereas the Saptakoteshwar temple is a Sandhar temple with a covered pathway, which is especially important in a rainy region.' The Saptakoteshwar temple's construction presented unique technical conundrums requiring innovative solutions. Unlike many contemporary stone temples built on reinforced cement concrete (RCC) platforms, this structure employs a dry-lock system with no RCC foundations. Lack of data: A boon 'The jointing material we have used — lime or cement — is only to fill the spaces between the stones,' Sadhale said. The temple measures 157ft by 75ft with intricately carved elements throughout. The absence of any reference material spurred the boon of original thinking. 'We often gave craftsmen 1:1 drawings (full-scale sketches). Then we realised even that was a problem,' Sadhale said. 'So, we made temporary clay or cement models for them to understand the actual proportions.' One of the temple's most striking features is the dipastambha (a pillar usually bedecked with lamps), masterfully carved from a single stone measuring 23ft, crowned with a four-foot bronze trident, reaching a total height of 27ft. The temple includes a unique Ayudhapurusha pillar symbolising the five weapons of Lord Shiva. The central sabha of the new temple features a rangashila mandap (the site of rituals and holy events), with a lotus-shaped ceiling. The temple is supported by 24 stone pillars adorned with artistic carvings, with eight inner pillars made of black stone, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. Civilisation's blessing 'We are not copying history. We look at the Saptakoteshwar temple in a continuous line of evolution of temple architecture,' Sadhale said. 'Though it draws reference from the Tambdi Surla temple, it also develops on that and makes it more culturally and contextually relevant to the present period.' For Sadhale, the project transcends mere construction. 'I look at it as an important milestone in Goa's history of architecture. A temple must belong to the ground in terms of its community history, cultural context, historical connections, and architectural style,' he said. Sadhale added, 'From the mandir stapatya (temple architecture) point of view, it is designed like a yantra, with shatavargas — the six principles of proportions — yielding harmony.' This is not a dead reference point in history but a living force of the uninterrupted flow of our civilisation, Sadhale said. 'This will not only infuse interest in continuing the older traditions but will also establish their relevance in contemporary building skills,' he said.
