Madikeri. Jul. 15: Kodagu district has received 10.50 lakh tourists from January to the end of June this year, informed Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of the Kodagu District Tourism Department.
He explained the development seen in the tourism sector in the District Tourism Development Committee meeting held today under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Venkatraja.
He said that 778 tourist destinations have been identified in Karnataka under the new tourism policy and the government has identified 23 tourist destinations in Kodagu district. He explained that the identified destinations include Gadduge, Kote, Chetnadu Palace, Abbi Falls, Mandalpatti, Bhagamandala, Talakaveri, Rajaseat, Cauvery Nisargadham, Harangi Reservoir, Mallalli Falls, Nishani Motte, Chelavara Falls, Irpu Falls, Dubare, Chettalli Farm, Honnammanakere, Makkalgudi Betta, Chikli Hole, Kundabetta, Barapole Rafting, General Thimmaiah Museum and Nagarhole National Park.
He told the meeting that the commissioners have been requested to remove the Talakaveri Bhagamandala temples from the list of tourist destinations and include them in the list of religious places.
He said that since the government has identified these areas, development can be facilitated with more grants.
Mandalpatti Selection
He said that the Tourism Department has taken action to provide 14 works and basic facilities to various tourist destinations with a grant of Rs 2813.9 lakhs to develop the tourism of the district in an integrated manner. He said that the government has selected the Mandalpatti tourist destination in Kodagu district under the 'One District, One Destination' scheme and accordingly, the Galibidu Panchayat has come forward to provide basic facilities at the junction at a cost of Rs 50 lakhs. He informed that since the Mandalpatti area falls under the Forest Department, the Forest Department will spend Rs 3 crores for road repair and other works in the said area.
He said that a proposal of an estimated amount of Rs 5 crores has been submitted for the development of the Kodava Heritage Center and permission has been sought for development on a PPP model.
He said that experts have inspected the site to repair the suspension bridge that has been repaired at Abbey Falls and reported that the soil there is not suitable for bridge construction, so no new construction is possible. There, a proposal has been submitted to install sound and light for the watch tower and the Madikeri fort, and a proposal of Rs 99.45 lakhs has been submitted by the Horticulture Department to develop a garden at the Gaddu tourist spot.
It has been decided to take up Rs 25 lakhs for the development of Irpu Falls in Ponnapet taluk, Rs 25 lakhs for the development of Male Tirike Eeshwara Temple in Virajpet taluk, Rs 25 lakhs for the development of Perumbadi Lake, and Rs 25 lakhs for the development of Barpuhole Spot and River Rafting in Ponnampet taluk under the Chief Minister's special grant, Anitha explained.
Gauri Lake Development
He informed the meeting that an estimate of Rs. 870.21 lakhs has been prepared for the development of Gauri Lake in Ponnampet taluk and sent to the head office of the Tourism Department. A proposal has been submitted to undertake development works in various places in the district at a total cost of Rs. 25 crores.
It was informed that a plan has been prepared to provide roadside facilities and basic amenities for tourists at a cost of Rs. 1 crore each for Mandalpatti, Makkalgudi Yadadande Falls, Kumaradhara Water Rafting and Kayaking, Honnamana Lake, Harangi Arboretum, Mandalpatti Tourist Spot, Kote Betta and Garwale Waterfalls at a cost of Rs. 5 crore, tourist facilities at Doddakallu Betta at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore, Raja Seat development at a cost of Rs. 1.1 crore, infrastructure required for the Kodava Heritage Center at a cost of Rs. 3 crore, and 7.12 acres of land at the Belur Club Golf Course in Kusaburu village, Somwarpet taluk at a cost of Rs. 3.4 crore.
Anita Bhaskar informed the meeting about the plans worth Rs 10 crore that have been prepared and sent to the central office, including Rs 1 crore for the construction of a parking lot and a bridge in Chelavar in the Virajpet assembly constituency, Rs 2 crore for the roadside facilities near the Mattigodu elephant camp, Rs 3 crore for the development of Kundabetta, Rs 2 crore for the construction of a high-tech toilet at Irpu Falls, and Rs 1.5 crore for the development of Kabbe Hills.
Water sports
It has been decided to conduct water adventure sports at Honnamma Lake in Somwarpet to attract tourists, and the tender process is underway for this. The meeting was informed that basic facilities and kitchens will be built on four cents of land belonging to the Tourism Department there, and the villagers will provide land for further development.
To promote water sports, 13 applications have been received in various places in Kodagu district, and the final decision will be taken under the leadership of the District Collector, he said.
She informed that 2300 homestays have registered online and received certificates in the district so far.
Anitha brought to the attention of the meeting that a private resort had come forward to develop the children's Gudibetta tourist spot in Somwarpet taluk under its CSR grant, and said that a survey work has been done related to the ropeway near Mallalli waterfall.
Nine tourist friends have been deployed at various tourist spots in the district and a proposal has been made to the government for the deployment of additional staff.
Note:This article is translated by xklsv.com, from shakthidaily.info; the Shakthi Daily is not liable for any errors in translation. If there are any errors in spellings, please mail [email protected]
