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| Coorg in monsoons |
The lesson is a pleasant description of Coorg, the
smallest district in Karnataka and its people. It is like a piece of heaven on
earth. It has wonderful weather throughout the year. Evergreen rainforests
and rolling mountains fill the landscape. The people of Coorg are the bravest.
Coffee is the main crop of this region. Spices are also grown. The Kaveri River
gets water from the hills and forests of this region. A variety of animals can
be found here. Beautiful Brahmagiri hills, islands and Tibetan settlements add
to the attractions of Coorg apart from several adventurous sports.
Summary
The writer gives a vivid description of Coorg. It is in the
Western Ghats in Karnataka. It is located somewhere between Mysore and
Mangalore. The best time to visit Coorg is from September to March. Coorg is
famous for coffee plantations and spices. Abundant rainforests cover 30 percent of the area. The Coorgi men are brave warriors. The women of Coorg are pretty.
Coorg is known as Kodavu and its people as the Kodavus. Though
they are Hindus by religion, their customs differ from those of mainstream
Hindus. Kodavus are said to be of Greek or Arabic descent. Some say that
Kodavus are the descendants of Alexander’s soldiers. Some others say that since
the ethnic dress of the Kodavus, Kuppia is similar to the Arab garment Kuffia, their
ancestors are Arabs or Kurds.
The river Kaveri originates from Coorg. Mahaseer is a big
fish found in the river. Many animals and birds such as kingfisher, langur,
squirrels, and elephants can be spotted along the river. Tourists relax in the
serene atmosphere. They enjoy adventure sports like river rafting, canoeing,
rappelling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and trekking. While trekking on the
nature trails, animals like Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, and slender
loris can be spotted on the trees. The major tourist attractions in Coorg are
Brahmagiri hills, Nisargadhama island, and Bylakuppe Tibetan settlements. Coorg is
a symbol of India’s diverse cultures.
Question and Answers
Q1. Where is Coorg?
A. Coorg is located somewhere between Mysore and the coastal city of Mangalore. It is the smallest district of Karnataka.
Q2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
A. It is said that the Kodavus are of either Greek or Arabic
descent. According to one story, a part of Alexander’s army could not return to
its homeland and so, settled in Coorg. Another story says that the traditional
dress of the Kodavus, Kuppia is similar to the dress of the Arabs and Kurds,
the Kuffia, so the Kodavus are descendants of the Arabs.
Q3. What are some of
the things you now know about:
i. The people of Coorg?
A. People of Coorg are known to be descendants of the Greeks
or the Arabs. They are independent and ferocious. They are among the bravest
soldiers of the Indian Army. They are friendly and are known for their
hospitality. Their culture is different from that of the culture mainstream
Hindus.
ii. The main crop of Coorg?
A. Coffee is the main crop of Coorg. Coffee estates with
colonial bungalows are abundant and even provide homestays for visitors to
experience the Coorgi way of life.
iii. The sports it offers to tourists?
A. A variety of high-energy adventure activities like river
rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountain biking are offered to tourists. Trekking is also one
of the popular activities.
iv. The animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
A. Fishes like Mahaseer are found in the waters of the river
Kaveri. Birds like Kingfisher and other animals like squirrels, langurs,
butterflies, and bees give you company when you are in this area. Wild
elephants can be seen enjoying bathing in the rivers. If you are on a trek,
Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, and slender loris can be spotted on the
trees.
v. Its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?
A. Coorg is at a distance of 260 km from Bangalore. The
nearest airports are Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (260 km). There are
flights to Mangalore from Mumbai and to Bangalore from Ahmedabad, Chennai,
Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. The nearest railheads
are at Mysore, Mangalore, and Hassan. There are two routes to Coorg from
Bangalore. Both are almost the same distance (around 250-260 km). The route via
Mysore is used by most of the tourists. The other route is via Neelamangal,
Kunigal, Chanrayanapatna.
Q4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find
phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs
indicated)
i. During monsoons, it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (Para
2)
ii. Some people say
that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (Para 3)
iii. The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’
valour. (Para 4)
iv. Even people who
normally lead an easy and slow life get
smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (Para 6)
v. The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt
they wear. (Para 3)
vi. Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (Para
7)
A. (i) Keep many visitors away (ii)As one story goes (iii)
Are more than willing to recount
(iv) The most laidback individuals become converts to (v) Draws support from (vi) keep a watchful eye.
Grammar Exercises
1. Here are some nouns from the text.
Culture, monks, surprise, experience, weather, tradition
Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can
collocate with which of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done
for you.
Unique, terrible, unforgettable, serious, ancient, wide,
sudden
culture: unique culture, ancient culture
monks:
surprise:
experience:
weather:
tradition:
Answers
culture: unique culture, ancient culture
monks: ancient monks
surprise: Unique surprise, terrible surprise, unforgettable
surprise
experience: Unique experience, terrible experience,
unforgettable experience, sudden experience
weather: terrible weather, sudden weather
tradition: unique tradition, ancient tradition
2. Complete the following phrases from the text. For each
phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?
tales of ________
coastal ________
a piece of ________
evergreen ________
________ plantations
________ bridge
wild ________
You may add your own examples to this list.
Answers
tales of valour
coastal town
a piece of heaven
evergreen rainforests
Coffee plantations
Rope bridge
wild animals
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