Madikeri: Padma Bhushan awardee Mumtaz Ali Khan Friday said he has withdrawn all proposed projects on land he recently purchased near Malma Hills following opposition from locals.Speaking to reporters in Madikeri, Khan said he bought about 58.9 acres near Malma Hills in Kakkabe village in April this year for Rs 6.2 crore, along with an additional 12 acres of coffee estate on the other side of the hills. “I bought this land hoping to establish a meditation centre, a GoShale, and to preach Sanskrit classes,” he said.He said the 58.9-acre parcel, which earlier had coffee and cardamom plantations, had been neglected for a long time. “It was a beautiful piece of land and I could see Malma Hills, which is about 2.5 km from my property,” he said.Khan said he had applied to the govt to convert 10 acres to start a meditation centre with cottage stays, as required for commercial activity. As work began, including creating a pond and extending electricity connection, locals objected.“Villagers complained that any commercial activity would affect the sanctity of Malma Hills and the nearby temples, including the Padi Sri Igguthappa Temple,” he said.He said that following the protests, he withdrew all proposed projects and also retracted his request for land conversion.
