Author Profile

Dr. C G Kushalappa belongs to the Cheppudira family of the Kodava community, a third generation of farmers, and has been associated with the landscape for a long period of time. He lives on his certified biodynamic coffee farm in the village of Konankatte. His childhood memories of festivals in the sacred forests motivated him later as a forestry scientist to initiate studies related to conservation significance of sacred forests. He is currently the Professor and University Head (Forestry and Environmental Sciences), College of Forestry in Ponnampet, Kodagu. Long term studies are being undertaken by researchers led by him at the College of Forestry, since 1997; publications, presentations and interactions in national and international events have resulted in collaboration with teams from both within and outside the country to undertake ecological and sociological research on sacred forests of Kodagu.