Spiritual leader Sri M, who is also known as Mumtaz Ali. | Photo Credit: File photo Opposition by residents and various organisations in Karnataka’s Kodagu district have led spiritual guru and Padma Bhushan awardee Sri M, also known as Mumtaz Ali, to withdraw his proposed meditation retreat project near the ecologically sensitive Malma Hills in Madikeri taluk. For the past several days, villagers have been opposing any form of alleged commercial activity on Malma Hills near Nelaji village. The hill is located close to the renowned Igguthappa temple, an important religious site for residents of the district, particularly the Kodava community. According to local residents, Sri M had purchased land on the hill, where cardamom and other crops were being cultivated. Villagers alleged that following the purchase, trees were cut, roads were constructed and ponds were created on the property. While acknowledging that the land is privately owned, residents argued that any commercialisation of the ecologically sensitive hill could adversely affect the area’s fragile environment, cultural heritage, and religious significance. Residents resist commercialisation plans Residents …