"It's a region that is blessed with precious natural bounty. If we don't look after it, who will?" said Uttam Gowda, the six-foot plus coffee planter in the outskirts of Chikmagalur, as he gave us 'the tour' of his sprawling estate that included a massive coffee processing unit. We, of course, were still savouring the soothing notes of hazelnut that laced our palate when we had earlier sipped on some heavenly cold coffee at his café that was a stone's throw away.

We were in coffee country in its purest version, where it all began. Nestled in the slopes of the Western Ghats, its verdant forests, thanks to heavy rainfall and good water conservation channels, kept us engaged throughout our drive from the sleepy hill station town to the higher climes. In the background, like a robust sentinel guarding over his treasure, we spotted Karnataka's highest peak, Mullayanagiri. The avian population was a delight for birdwatchers while the green cover sans any litter, would have brought an instant smile to the faces of eco-friendly souls.